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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

Tiller - refinish or replace?

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glw
Deckhand

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USA
15 Posts

Initially Posted - 01/24/2012 : 20:30:15

I was going to refinish my tiller, but I notice that it is delaminating, and the wood by the last screw is crumbling apart.
Would I be better just to buy a new tiller.

I'm not sure how to include pictures, but I think this is a link to where I have put them.
https://picasaweb.google.com/107668776433832917182/Tiler?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCKPtv-uA35qKCw&feat=directlink

Grant

Edited by - on

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 01/24/2012 : 20:40:13

Grant,
That looks like a tiller that needs replacing. It looks like you've got dry rot going on. I had my tiller snap off in my hands a year or two ago, and it looked a whole lot better than yours does.

I built a new tiller out of laminated plywood, but you should be able to find a replacement tiller at Catalina Direct or Defender. I also lucked into a replacement tiller on here for $25, so now I've got two tillers.

Edited by - on

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9080 Posts

Response Posted - 01/25/2012 : 06:13:59

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islander
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4024 Posts

Response Posted - 01/25/2012 : 06:17:36

OMG...Thats Firewood

Edited by - islander on 01/25/2012 06:19:28

Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
3159 Posts

Response Posted - 01/25/2012 : 07:39:43

Yeah Grant, Were I you, I would buy a new tiller, then cut that one down to beyond the rot, redrill it to match the steel flanges you took off, and put it under the quarter-berth as an emergency tiller.

If your new tiller breaks some day down the road, you will have a spare to get you home.

Friends of ours had the tiller on their C&C 32 break off in their hands as they navigated under the swing bridge in little current, not a good day. they had to steer the boat back to harbour with a 6" handle on the tiller, and huge forces on the rudder.

Out of curiosity, what do folks on here carry as a backup to their tiller? I don't think a boathook is really up to thejob. Maybe 2 or 3 tied together would have better strength though. Maybe a collapsed whisker pole? On Iris we have an actual second tiller stowed away.

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Joe Diver
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1218 Posts

Response Posted - 01/25/2012 : 08:48:08

I don't carry an extra tiller....never really thought about it. I guess if mine broke, I'd just use the outboard.

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John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 01/25/2012 : 09:04:15

Do you have a fireplace?

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Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
3159 Posts

Response Posted - 01/25/2012 : 10:09:29

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Joe Diver
 I don't carry an extra tiller....never really thought about it. I guess if mine broke, I'd just use the outboard.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

we did that once due to losing the rudder in fairly flat water for a short distance, and it worked out OK. Not sure how well it would go in the sort of conditions that would snap a tiller though. the OB is good for power, but a little lacking for directional stability,

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JohnP
Master Marine Consultant

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1520 Posts

Response Posted - 01/25/2012 : 11:33:02

I have an old axe handle and some big C-clamps. It should be simple to install it along or alongside a broken tiller.

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pfduffy
Captain

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USA
317 Posts

Response Posted - 01/25/2012 : 12:14:01

When I replaced my tiller last year, I purchased the upgraded straps from CD (with the offset holes.) The old tiller was stowed as my spare. We all know what BOAT stands for, so go ahead and have a full backup on board!

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Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
3159 Posts

Response Posted - 01/25/2012 : 14:40:32

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by JohnP
 I have an old axe handle and some big C-clamps. It should be simple to install it along or alongside a broken tiller.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I have also heard that a sawn-pff wheelbarrow handle (often mahogany) is a good spare tiller.

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OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3462 Posts

Response Posted - 01/25/2012 : 16:30:28

Agree with others - Replace the tiller. Rcmd when you do replace the tiller, get a Sunbrella tiller cover to protect the tiller and finish from the weather elements. My tiller looks in the same great condition as it did 6 years ago and I have never had to do a thing to the original finish. I believe it is the original tiller...the PO also had a Sunbrella cover and that is mostly what protects the tiller thru the years from taking on a weathered look. When the PO's tiller cover was getting a bit ratty, I replaced the cover with a new one from West Marine.

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Ape-X
Admiral

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USA
662 Posts

Response Posted - 01/25/2012 : 16:33:35

check the swap meet section. 1982 cat being parted out, and tiller was listed....

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Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 01/25/2012 : 18:18:03

I might sell a 1 year old tiller cover in late March - it will go on the swapmeet.

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GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4304 Posts

Response Posted - 01/25/2012 : 18:45:46

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Dave5041
 I might sell a 1 year old tiller cover in late March - it will go on the swapmeet.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

If' it's blue I'll take it. How much?

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Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 01/25/2012 : 20:45:39

NOT FOR SALE YET.

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GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4304 Posts

Response Posted - 01/25/2012 : 20:47:09

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Dave5041
 NOT FOR SALE YET.

It was fine until I got my new sailcover from Sailor's Tailor. The sail cover is so nice that I might have them make a slightly customized tiller cover, depending on the price. The tiller cover I have is a blue, off-the-shelf one from WM. I'll post when I know.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
I realize it's not for sale yet. Just wanted to get my name in the hat first.

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John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 01/25/2012 : 21:23:14

I made a tiller cover out of the same material as my sailcover and it cost less that $10 and 5 minutes at a sewing machine. Well, it might have taken a little longer than 5 minutes if you include the 10 minutes it took to learn how to use the machine. easy-peasey.

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Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 01/26/2012 : 10:06:22

Yep, one straight seam and hem and turn it inside out. I was a month from a machine when I bought mine with a new tiller, but now I want one with a more complex design.

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NautiC25
Admiral

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USA
957 Posts

Response Posted - 01/26/2012 : 10:31:56

On the topic of Tiller covers:

I bought the CD tiller cover 2 years ago and it's still nice, however it has a hole in it from one of the tiller bolts rubbing through it. So make sure all your bolts have acorn nuts on them. CD is selling bolt kits that have nylon nuts instead of factory acorn nuts. That'll leave the end of the bolt exposed and snag the cover. And I highly advise against the wing nut CD is selling. That'll surely tear a hole and snag the cover too.

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waterbaby
Navigator

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USA
168 Posts

Response Posted - 01/27/2012 : 13:59:32

I made a cover for my new hand rails, easy peasy. I'm making a cover for my tiller cover next, but I think I'm going to make it cover the whole connection to the rudder section and not just the handle. I have a regular handle only one that came with the boat, and it's ok still but I'm changing colors and anyway this is an easy project too. When we had our rudder repaired we noticed that the furthest outside hole for the bolts that connected the tiller to the rudder was worn and a little rotted. Not bad, but not good. We just shrugged and put it back together. Now you've got me worried and I think I'll start hunting for a new tiller. When I get it, I'll want to protect the whole thing so this doesn't happen again.

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Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9080 Posts

Response Posted - 01/27/2012 : 15:35:43

It's pretty tough to prevent water from entering those holes. It's a good idea to swab the insides with penetrating epoxy or, if nothing else, the polyurethane you're using on the outside.

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waterbaby
Navigator

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USA
168 Posts

Response Posted - 01/27/2012 : 15:46:08

Good idea Dave. I'll keep that in mind when the time comes.

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dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 01/27/2012 : 15:46:45

You can buy new tiller covers on Ebay for around $15; tillers for around $50-$75.

Edited by - dmpilc on 01/27/2012 15:47:38

islander
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4024 Posts

Response Posted - 01/27/2012 : 18:50:09

Kate the covers usually cover the head of the rudder with the opening in the bottom seam Here's a photo to explain it better. I guess you know your way around a sewing machine so this should be easy.

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waterbaby
Navigator

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USA
168 Posts

Response Posted - 01/27/2012 : 20:38:46

Hey Scott,
Thanks for the great pic. I can't quite make out what's holding your main sheet. Is that a loop of some sort? Your setup seems a little different than mine. Stablizing the tiller is a problem we have not really mastered yet, and it looks like maybe you have. I get the tiller cover though, so really, thanks.

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