Tiller extension connection

[Steve Hornsby]

Hi all,

I'm hoping to add a 2ish ft extension to my tiller. The tiller is white oak. Is there any hardware out there I should look for or a homemade solution you can suggest. I have heard of some sort of ball joint type thing where i can get some up and down movement.

Thanks, Steve

[Peerie Maa]

Hi all,

I'm hoping to add a 2ish ft extension to my tiller. The tiller is white oak. Is there any hardware out there I should look for or a homemade solution you can suggest. I have heard of some sort of ball joint type thing where i can get some up and down movement.

Thanks, Steve
This is what Peerie Maa useshttp://i408.photobucket.com/albums/pp164/peerie_maa/DSC00826.jpghttp://i408.photobucket.com/albums/pp164/peerie_maa/hikingstick.jpg
The clevis jaw swivels on a rivet through the mounting bracket. Could be formed out of 2mm brass, although that one is stainless.

[Thorne]

Several good previous threads on this, some use hardware and others tied line -- well worth a search of the Forum.

Size of boat and length/materials for extension? Big difference between dinghy racers and large cruising yachts...

[Steve Hornsby]

Ok, thanks Nick and Thorne. I did a quick search and will give it another shot.

[Steve Hornsby]

oh yeah and sorry,

16ft Oughtred Penny Fee and white oak tiller - not sure of the wood for the extension yet.

[rbgarr]

A versatile tiller extension for a light boat:

Cut a short section of rubber hose that fits over the grasp of the tiller, with a countersunk flat head bolt inside the hose, through the extension and nutted with an acorn nut. use washer above and below the extension. It can then be switched from side to side, the 'sleeve' rotated up or down depending on where you are sitting (or standing) and is stowed easily by slipping it off the tiller end.

[John Meachen]

I would take a look at http://www.sailboats.co.uk/Cat~Universal_Joints_UJs_4659.html or http://www.purplemarine.com/Product.aspx?ProductCode=RW-R0840.Not traditional,but they work and could be with you in a few days.

[Andrew Craig-Bennett]

For a 16 footer, any standard racing dinghy fitting will do. However, most dinghy chandlers these days want to sell you the whole extension rather than just the ball joint.

Rivet or bolt it - don't rely on screws.

[Dick Wynne]

http://www.whitstablemarine.co.uk/images/partnumber/standard/%7B907257EB-5E03-4FB8-BBB7-25A43FEB6D83%7D_12944.jpgI use this robust S/S one by RWO, this is for an extension shaft of 19mm diam. About £20 in UK now. There are smaller sizes less robustly made. They are hard to find at RWO's web site but one of their UK stockists has the range illustrated here (http://www.whitstablemarine.co.uk/showcategory.asp?CategoryID=21282)

[paladin]

a pair of eyestraps intertwined would work...

[JimConlin]

Here's another universal joint.
http://shop.sailnet.com/product_info.php/products_id/4901

[Wooden Boat Fittings]

a pair of eyestraps intertwined would work...

That's more-or-less what the set-up is for Aileen Louisa, although in fact I've never bothered using it.

The end of the tiller and the end of the extension are both drilled and bushed with copper tube, flared on each side. Tie them together when needed, and there you go. The joint slips round a little, but the strap is always in tension while allowing angular flexibility for the extension.

(No photos I'm afraid.)

Mike

[Steve Hornsby]

Some great ideas and suggestions guys, thanks.

Steve

[Hwyl]

I'm a convert to the rubber ones. I use these guys regularly www.apsltd.com

[rbgarr]

That's what I have, too, with a golf club shaft/grip extension... but it's rare that I actually use it. :confused:

http://www.apsltd.com/c-287-replacementuniversals.aspx