Catalina - Capri - 25s International Assocaition Logo(2006)  
Assn Members Area · Join
h.jpg Home.
a.jpg Association Forum
s.jpg Ships Store
c.jpg Cruising
r.jpg Racing
t.jpg Technical Tips
g.jpg Photo Gallery - New
o.jpg Boat Search - Updated
m.jpg Manuals & Brochures
3rdrpt.jpg Swap Meet
l.jpg Links
f.jpg Officer Flag Line & Staff
b.jpg Bylaws & Constitution
 
1.jpg Members Area
1.jpg Join the Association
 
Notice:
The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.
 
Association Forum
Association Forum
Home | Profile | Register | Active Topics | Forum Users | Search | FAQ
Username:
 Password:
Save Password
Forgot your Password?

 All Forums
 Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums
 Catalina 25 Specific Forum
 Make a tiller		  New Topic  Topic Locked
 Printer Friendly
Author Previous Topic Topic Next Topic  

Steve Siefken
1st Mate

Member Avatar

USA
81 Posts
Initially Posted - 11/01/2005 :  20:29:45  Show Profile
I was thinking about making a tiller but I was wondering about the kind of wood to use. In searching the archives, I saw someone used mahogany.

Does anyone out there have any experience doing this and if so, what kid of wood did you use?
Steve Siefken
'84 SK/SR #4654 "Nicosha"
Edited by - on

MattL
Admiral

Members Avatar

USA
990 Posts
Response Posted - 11/02/2005 :  02:53:31  Show Profile
Hi Steve,
I have been contemplating the same project. I think most people here would say pop out the $50 or so bucks and buy one at Catalina Driect, or West Marine, or one of the other places. If you like making stuff your self I say go for it.
I was thinkiking of some contrasting woods, mahogany/ash, and laminating thin strips to get the shape. From what I have read dimensioning the material to fit you hard ware is a very critical step.
The tiller I have doesn't appear to be stock and has no sweep up, it's a knee knocker. I will have to borrow one to get the right curve when I try the job. I have never done this befor but looks pretty straight forward. I am still in process of gettin my shop finished, life is tough with the job, wife and kids to keep happy etc.
If you get started take some photos and drawings fo the process adn share them here.
If I get started I'll do the same.
Edited by - on
Go to Top of Page

Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
6855 Posts
Response Posted - 11/02/2005 :  07:28:36  Show Profile  Visit Champipple's Homepage
Steve,

Steve Milby made a tiller out of Mahogany and I believe he has some basic plans.

If you decide to buy a tiller, H&L woodwork is usually the maker of most of the tillers in the big box stores, their direct prices aren't much of a savings from the stores prices either. Our tiller is also the same tiller on a number of other boats as well. Consider looking for a J24 tiller online, it is identical and you might find better deals.

DW
Edited by - Champipple on 11/02/2005 07:29:30
Go to Top of Page

bahamadan
Deckhand

Members Avatar

USA
7 Posts
Response Posted - 11/02/2005 :  08:13:13  Show Profile
Steve,
I had the same idea since my tiller was shot when I bought my boat. I have a good friend who makes beautiful custom furniture and we thought we'd carve something cool on the end of the tiller, etc. The main concern is that the tiller doesn't need to be made from a single piece of wood, because the load placed on it could cause it to splinter along the grain. It needs to made from laminated layers of wood. After looking at the project I paid $53.85 for a great looking mahogany and ash tiller with three coats of varnish from Catalina Direct.
Edited by - on
Go to Top of Page

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

Members Avatar

USA
5909 Posts
Response Posted - 11/02/2005 :  08:57:12  Show Profile
I don't have plans. I just laid my old tiller on the piece of mahogany and traced its shape onto the mahogany. To avoid having a weak place due to the grain of the wood, you need to select a piece of wood that has the grain curving at the bend in the tiller. Also, I made my tiller slightly bigger in diameter, to compensate for the fact that it isn't laminated.

Making your own tiller is less expensive than buying one, and it isn't very difficult, but the cost savings really doesn't justify it. My mahogany tiller lasted longer than the laminated one, with much less maintenance, and there's always a little satisfaction in making your own.
Edited by - on
Go to Top of Page

eric.werkowitz
Captain

Members Avatar

USA
283 Posts
Response Posted - 11/05/2005 :  12:10:07  Show Profile
I think if I were to build my own, I would build one that folded up just in front of the Autohelm pivot point. I would really like to clear the cockpit when I'm on autopilot or sitting in the slip.
Edited by - on
Go to Top of Page
  Previous Topic Topic Next Topic  
 New Topic  Topic Locked
 Printer Friendly
Jump To:
Association Forum © since 1999 Catalina Capri 25s International Association Go To Top Of Page
Powered By: Snitz Forums 2000 Version 3.4.06
Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.