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 Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums
 Catalina 25 Specific Forum
 tiller repair		  New Topic  Topic Locked
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pfduffy
Captain

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USA
317 Posts
Initially Posted - 07/05/2009 :  07:07:50  Show Profile
During my most recent sail, as we were preparing to motor back into channel, I lost my balance and caught myself with the tiller which made a sick, splitting sound. The tiller split along the lamination where the holes are drilled to hold the plates. I was able to cleanly split the tiller along that lamination, clean it up and glue it back together with west system gflex epoxy glue. My plates have all of the holes in a straight line, so it appears that this is an area that could fail again.

I am considering drilling between the holes from top to bottom and filling with epoxy to create what would effectively be a high strength dowel. Does anyone think this is a bad idea???
Pat Duffy
1984 SK/SR #4113
Slàinte
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Bill Holcomb
Admiral

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USA
769 Posts
Response Posted - 07/05/2009 :  07:56:00  Show Profile
Hi Pat,
I had a similar situation when a passenger "sat" accidentally on the tiller. Epoxy in the crack was the first step of my repair...clamp w/'C' clamps till dry. Then I drilled and countersank two silicon/bronze 10-24 bolts/washers/nuts (nuts on the bottom) to give extra strength to the tiller-to-bracket connection. This repair has held for about 15 years so far. And, doesn't look bad. Varnish over the silicon/bronze looks kinda cool.
Bill Holcomb - C25 Snickerdoodle #4839
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Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5908 Posts
Response Posted - 07/05/2009 :  07:57:31  Show Profile
I drilled down through the laminations and installed three ss bolts to hold the laminations together. Installing a wood dowel would be my next choice. I glued the laminations back together with carpenter's wood glue, and found the repairs to be stronger than the wood itself. You have to keep it all well sealed with varnish or other sealer to prevent the moisture from getting to it again.

I eventually gave up on laminated tillers and fabricated my own out of solid mahogany, which greatly reduced maintenance.
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pfduffy
Captain

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USA
317 Posts
Response Posted - 07/05/2009 :  17:48:23  Show Profile
Thanks guys! Through bolts make much more sense.
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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.