| Author | Message | ||
     Scott Corder New member Username: Pastcommodore Post Number: 42 Registered: 02-2001 Rating: N/A |
Glen, I cannot readily answer your question regarding who might have a pattern for the factory tiller. However, there are a couple of things you could consider at this time: On my boat, a previous owner crafted a very beautiful custom tiller on which the outmost end was gracefully elevated to clear the cockpit coamings in the tiller's most extreme port/starboard steering positions. The result is a subtle sort of "S" shape when looking at the tiller from the side. I really appreciate this feature because it prohibits ANY crew member (experienced or not) from accidentally scarring the cockpit coamings with either the tiller itself (or any hardware protruding from the tiller where an extension might get attached). NOTE: The basically straight factory tiller typically does not clear the cockpit coamings when the tiller is in its lowest elevation. The tiller must be lifted up a little to steer extremely to port or starboard. The second observation I'll make is that this custom tiller on my boat is teak that has been carefully wrapped around a 1/2 inch diameter stainless rod. The stainless is completely invisible on the exterior, but adds structural strength to the tiller. At worst, my tiller might bend (and some of the teak might even crack or break off) but the stainless inside is nearly impossible to destroy completely. In fact, this actually happened several years ago when a crew member stumbled and fell through the cockpit during a hastily executed gybe in a Class race. I merely kept racing that day, and then performed a cosmetic repair at home. One of the nicest features of my situation is that my original factory tiller merely serves as a back-up (or goes into service for short periods when I choose to remove the custom tiller to re-finish the teak). Fair winds and following seas, Scott Corder Class Commodore (past and present) |
