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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Tiller Tamer

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cat1951
Admiral

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USA
636 Posts

Initially Posted - 03/04/2008 : 12:46:56

I should know better than to surf any marine website with my credit card in arms length. I am in the process of refinishing my rudder and have the opportunity to upgrade the tiller to the one that is on a C250. We have a C25 and I am tired of having a tiller without any rise in it. The upgrade to the C250 style provides enough rise to allow the tiller to travel above the cockpit seats and my legs as well.

However, I do have a question. I am currently using a tiller tamer on the older tiller without the rise. Where does one put the tamer on the new tiller? I have looked at a PDF file for instructions and have seen AADIVER's installation in the archives. I would still like to use the tangs on each side of the traveler bar, but may have to move the line mounts on the tamer.

Any suggestions on how to install in such a curved tiller?

Mike
Grand Lake, OK
N.O. Catalina 25 #4849
In my opinion 75% of the earth is water for a reason. That's why I sail.

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 03/04/2008 : 13:18:36

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by cat1951
 We have a C25 and I am tired of having a tiller without any rise in it.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Unless something is different with the newer models, if your C25's tiller doesn't have any rise to it, then it is not a C25 tiller.

Here's my [url="http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4536671289105007193&q=autopilot+in+action+video%27&total=18&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=0"]tiller tamer[/url]

Note the curve of the tiller.

Edited by - dlucier on 03/04/2008 13:42:38

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 03/04/2008 : 13:39:40

Don is right, JB must have gone with a non spec tiller. Ours are actually quite beautiful in their shape. I don't know if the 250 tiller is the same as the proper C-25 tiller but it would be hard to improve on ours.

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 03/04/2008 : 14:29:06

Both Defender and Pyacht sell H&L replacement tillers, but you might be able to save ten bucks by buying it directly from H&L Marine Woodworking.

Edited by - on

cat1951
Admiral

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USA
636 Posts

Response Posted - 03/04/2008 : 14:45:47

Frank....I think that the tiller that JB had on the boat is the same one that was on it when he bought it. Not sure where the original when. However, on Catalina direct, they have an upgraded tiller(with the curve for right at $70.00) and the U shaped bracket for the top of the rudder.

What is ironic is that the picture of the one shown is considered the "upgraded" on on the CD website. In any case, the one I have now,I have to raise to get it over my legs as the rise is barely an inch or two. Sounds like your tillers may be considered the "upgraded" model. I wonder if it was an option in 1985 and the original owner didn't go for it. No big deal though since I am going ahead with the upgrade.

Don, in your video attached, it looks like I am seeing an "auto-tilleer" and not a tamer. Maybe I am looking a the wrong thing though.

Still am wondering about the tamer...

Edited by - cat1951 on 03/04/2008 14:47:30

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 03/04/2008 : 15:01:03

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by cat1951
 Don, in your video attached, it looks like I am seeing an "auto-tiller" and not a tamer.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

A tiller tamer will tame your tiller somewhat, but an autopilot will beat it into submission!

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 03/04/2008 : 15:42:52

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by cat1951
 Still am wondering about the tamer...
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

If your boat has the cockpit locker hasps on both sides of the tiller, just use a bungee hooked to them and a few wraps around the tiller as a tiller tamer. I still use this method occasionally, even though I have an autopilot, and it sure beats a fixed tiller tamer in that since the bungees have a little give, you can simply tap the tiller with your foot to make any course corrections.

Not only does it work extremely well, it is practically free, requires zero installation, and needs no drilling.

Edited by - dlucier on 03/04/2008 15:44:25

cat1951
Admiral

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USA
636 Posts

Response Posted - 03/04/2008 : 18:59:13

Don, funny you should mention the bungee set up. I have considered it and may very well use it. For my money the tamer is still free since I already have it. I would consider an auto pilot, but I can't justify the cost for an inland lake sailing area. It just seems like overkill for a day sail of 5-6 nautical miles.

Edited by - on

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5368 Posts

Response Posted - 03/04/2008 : 22:22:40

I used to use the bungee tiller-tamer set up on my 16 foot Sunbird daysailer. I hooked two short bungees together at the tiller extension handle, and the other ends of the bungees to the starboard and port stern cleats. The bungees were not excessively tight, but provided a moderate degree of stiffness to the tiller.

I haven't tried this arrangement on my C25, but Don's technique of using the hasps would be serviceable. Not sure how I'd secure the bungees to the tiller. I might use a single, long bungee and secure it to the tiller with a slip knot of some sort.

As Don mentions, if you adjust it for a slight weather helm, the boat will sail pretty straight. It will require small corrections from time to time to remain on a constant bearing.

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 03/05/2008 : 07:42:23

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Voyager
 I haven't tried this arrangement on my C25, but Don's technique of using the hasps would be serviceable. Not sure how I'd secure the bungees to the tiller.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Bruce,

Depending on the length of bungee used, hook the bungee to one hasp, the simply wrap the bungee several times around tiller to get the proper tension, I have about 4 or 5 wraps, then hook to the other hasp. To adjust the position of the tiller, just twist the 4 or 5 wraps in the direction you want the tiller to be in. I would use a bungee that would allow wrapping the tiller at least 4 times.

Edited by - dlucier on 03/05/2008 07:42:41

cat1951
Admiral

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USA
636 Posts

Response Posted - 03/05/2008 : 07:49:19

Don... Do you experience any wear to the finish of the tiller with this set up?

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 03/05/2008 : 08:02:46

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by cat1951
 Don... Do you experience any wear to the finish of the tiller with this set up?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

No. My 6 year old replacement tiller, with its original finish, shows absolutely no wear and still looks brand new.

Edited by - on

bear
Admiral

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USA
909 Posts

Response Posted - 03/05/2008 : 08:32:39

I used a Tiller Tamer on "Brandy" for probably three years. One year ago I installed the IDA rudder and a new tiller. Did not want to drill into the new tiller so I went with the bungee setup. It really works the nuts with that IDA rudder underneath. Would hold a set course very effectively and just a tap on the rudder would adjust and hold accordingly. I also liked the fact you could unhook the bungee cord and have full movement of the tiller and walk through capability to the swim ladder.

Edited by - on

DaveR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2015 Posts

Response Posted - 03/05/2008 : 09:31:02

[url="http://wave.mysite.com/more_projects.html"]Here's[/url] how I did mine. Just tied the lines to the Stern Pulpit on either side. It's worked well for me, but saved my pennies and have recently purchased a Simrad TP22 auto tiller! Can't wait to get that thing installed!

Edited by - DaveR on 03/05/2008 09:35:11

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 03/05/2008 : 11:09:13

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by cat1951
 I would consider an auto pilot, but I can't justify the cost for an inland lake sailing area. It just seems like overkill for a day sail of 5-6 nautical miles.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Not really.

The way I use my autopilot on Lake Erie would be the same for a smaller lake sailor. I usually just have it at the ready for when I need a few minutes away from the helm like when I'm raising the main, deploying the furler, or just going below to grab something. I may set it when I'm tinkering with my GPS or while eating a sandwhich. I set it if I'm taking pictures of a fellow sailor or if I'm reading an article in a sailing magazine.

Point is, you don't have to have a 1,000 square miles of water in order to justify an autopilot. In fact, I know plenty of Lake Erie sailors that have autopilots yet they never venture farther than 5 miles from the marina.

Edited by - on

cat1951
Admiral

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USA
636 Posts

Response Posted - 03/05/2008 : 12:10:40

Thanks Don... I will try those points when I talk to the Admiral about an auto pilot.

Still, all in all, Grand Lake is nothing like Erie. Even at the widest part, the tacks are relatively short.

Dave R... I have looked at all the photos on your C25 and think I see a couple of things that 'might' be different from mine. One, it looks like the rudder top on yours sits about 4 to five inches above the transom. On mine, the tiller rubs against the transom when it is flat. And second, based on your installation location, I think that I can put the tiller tamer where you have yours, but will need to see once I have the rudder and new tiller installed. And 3... I'm like bear, I kinda hate to drill into a new tiller...except for the attachment points near the rudder. I can always try the bungee set up and later add the tiller tamer if I want.

Edited by - cat1951 on 03/05/2008 12:12:11

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