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 Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums
 General Sailing Forum
 Refinishing Tiller		  New Topic  Reply to Topic
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GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4309 Posts
Initially Posted - 09/27/2025 :  12:50:04  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Several years ago the original tiller on my boat began to delaminate. It had been shortened and worked great for single-handing.

At the time I wasn't sailing much so I brought it home and re-glued it using Gorilla Glue (I know, not the best choice but it was on hand, LOL). It oozed out and and made a hard mess. At that point I wasn't in the mood to mess with any further.

I was able to procure another tiller at a very reasonable cost so I set my mess aside.

While the new to me tiller has worked very well and is in good condition, it's a full length tiller and I'm now wanting to go back to my shorter tiller.

In a small test area my orbital sander seems to remove the excess Gorilla Glue fairly easily so I'm about to start refinishing the old tiller and I'm not sure what would be the best product to apply.

Should I go with varnish, some type of epoxy, or some other type of finish that will hold up over a long period of time with little maintenance.

Any advice and product names will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you in advance!

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GaryB
Andiamo
'89 SR/WK #5862
Kemah,TX

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5405 Posts
Response Posted - 09/27/2025 :  17:18:50  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
I use Minwax Spar Urethane for my tiller each year. I have to sand it down to the bare wood and revarnish it with six or eight coats. I usually hang the tiller from a string in my garage and each day as I walk by, I’ll apply another coat.
Rust-oleum makes a true Spar Varnish. The trick is that varnish will crack in the hot summer sun, and that allows water ingress under the finish. This will darken the wood, so you have to repair it right away.
I also see that Lowes sells something called Cabot Australian Timber Oil finish. It’s intended for wooden deck planking, so it is probably heat-proof and water-proof.
Bruce Ross
Passage ~ SR-FK ~ C25 #5032

Port Captain — Milford, CT
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GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4309 Posts
Response Posted - 09/27/2025 :  21:26:49  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Voyager

I use Minwax Spar Urethane for my tiller each year. I have to sand it down to the bare wood and revarnish it with six or eight coats. I usually hang the tiller from a string in my garage and each day as I walk by, I’ll apply another coat.
Rust-oleum makes a true Spar Varnish. The trick is that varnish will crack in the hot summer sun, and that allows water ingress under the finish. This will darken the wood, so you have to repair it right away.
I also see that Lowes sells something called Cabot Australian Timber Oil finish. It’s intended for wooden deck planking, so it is probably heat-proof and water-proof.


Thank you Bruce! I didn't realize varnish would crack in the heat. Down here in the Houston area we get a lot of heat and humidity.

I have a Lowes about 1/2 miles from my house. I'll check into the items you mentioned.

Any suggestions on a good place to purchase a tiller cover?

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GaryB
Andiamo
'89 SR/WK #5862
Kemah,TX
Edited by - GaryB on 09/27/2025 21:27:45
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OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3472 Posts
Response Posted - 09/27/2025 :  22:10:06  Show Profile  Visit OLarryR's Homepage  Reply with Quote
Gary,
Using a Sunbrella cover on the tiller will also minimize it weathering. My tiller has always been covered and I believe it has the original finish which looks fine except a few small areas where there has been wear due to how I lash it down with line wrapped a 2-3 turns near the grip.
Larry
'89 Robin's Nest#5820, Potomac River/Quantico, Va
http://catalina25.homestead.com/olarryr.html
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GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4309 Posts
Response Posted - 09/28/2025 :  00:16:02  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by OLarryR

Gary,
Using a Sunbrella cover on the tiller will also minimize it weathering. My tiller has always been covered and I believe it has the original finish which looks fine except a few small areas where there has been wear due to how I lash it down with line wrapped a 2-3 turns near the grip.

Yeah, I had a tiller cover before it delaminated but the cover was old and eventually the weather got to the tiller.

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GaryB
Andiamo
'89 SR/WK #5862
Kemah,TX
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Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5405 Posts
Response Posted - 09/28/2025 :  06:55:06  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
No sure how well this would work, but if you could find a pair of long knee socks or leggings, that might be long enough to cover your tiller. When they fade or wear out, get another pair!
Bruce Ross
Passage ~ SR-FK ~ C25 #5032

Port Captain — Milford, CT
Edited by - Voyager on 09/28/2025 06:55:31
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OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3472 Posts
Response Posted - 09/28/2025 :  21:04:33  Show Profile  Visit OLarryR's Homepage  Reply with Quote
Wow! Socks to cover a tiller!

Many years ago, I saw one sailboat that the owner in order to provide some weathering protection to the outboard, had it wrapped with an old vinyl tablecloth!
Larry
'89 Robin's Nest#5820, Potomac River/Quantico, Va
http://catalina25.homestead.com/olarryr.html
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Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5905 Posts
Response Posted - 09/30/2025 :  06:16:51  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by GaryBAny suggestions on a good place to purchase a tiller cover?
Ebay. I tried to post a link but it screwed up the format. Go to Ebay and search "tiller cover."

But, if you have a home sewing machine, it's the simplest project to make one. It's just a straight tube. It doesn't have to be curved to follow the shape of the tiller. You make it inside out and, when the sewing is done, turn it outside-in. You can use the leftover sunbrella to make winch covers or grab rail covers or a cover for your companionway hatch. Grab rail covers are also easy. They're like a tube but left open on one side. You sew a little patch of velcro between each loop to hold them on. If you don't have a sewing machine, you can usually buy them cheap at an estate or garage sale.

Steve Milby J/24 "Captiva Wind"
previously C&C 35, Cal 25, C25 TR/FK, C22
Past Commodore
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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
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