Need an emergency tiller

[Senorjacob]

Hi folks,

I’m having a really great first season and I’m discovering a lot about my RH36. One thing I’ve just realized is that the boat did not come with an emergency tiller. Does anyone know where I can get one that’s appropriate for the boat?

Thanks ahead of time.

Jake

[Frenchy]

Jake, unless you're incredibly lucky and can find one in a salvage yard, you'll have to commission one. Maybe you
could borrow a tiller from a CD 36 owner and verify that it works on your boat. Then, take dimensions and have a
machine shop fabricate it. - Jean

[Senorjacob]

Is the 36 version different in size from, say, the 31 or the other lengths?

[Frenchy]

That's an interesting question. I don't know, but I suspect they're very similar, at least. Assuming, for instance, that the
36 and 33 use the same size rudder shaft and the distance from the wheel to the attachment point is the same, I would think
the emergency tiller would be the same. It needs to clear the wheel. - Jean

[Jim Walsh]

It’s hard to imagine that the original owner would not have had the emergency tiller. I would check with Robinhood/Derector. They may provide the name of the provider, or a set of prints so you can have one fabricated. Any small welding/machine shop could pop one out. Aluminum pipe would be ideal. I still have the original mild steel one. Needs touch up paint every couple seasons.

[casampson]

Is an emergency tiller something all boats should have, regardless of size? I have often wondered what I would do if my tiller stopped functioning on my CD 25. Or is it something that only larger boats with wheels keep on board?

[mgphl52]

Is an emergency tiller something all boats should have, regardless of size? I have often wondered what I would do if my tiller stopped functioning on my CD 25. Or is it something that only larger boats with wheels keep on board?

Heheheh... in all my years (over 50) of sailing, I have yet to see a tiller boat that carries an emergency wheel!

[camroll]

Having just converted my CD 36 to tiller steering I doubt I'll have any use for my emergency tiller. Where are you located ?

Russ

[Senorjacob]

Hey Russ
I like where your headed but something just happened today... I found my emergency tiller! I was digging around in the aft cockpit locker and there it was. Not sure how or why I didn’t notice it before.

Can you post pics of your CD36 with a tiller? Sound pretty great.

Jake

[camroll]

Here's the only one I can find but it doesn't do it justice. There are a couple more in the project section.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/j316ytm0pegwa ... 7.jpg?dl=0

After a whole season with it I wondered why I waited as long as I did to convert.

Russ

[John Stone]

I converted from wheel to tiller on my CD 36 during our six year rebuild. I subsequently sailed the Far Reach to the a Virgin Islands twice. I’d never go back to a wheel.

Here is the how to: http://www.farreachvoyages.com/projects ... rsion.html

Below are some pictures of the tiller in action.

[camroll]

John, that looks great!! I am super glad I did it. What do you use for an autopilot?

Russ

[John Stone]

Thanks Russ. I only have the Cape Horn Windvane for self steering. It has performed very well for me in. Early 10,000 offshore miles. For the last five years I sailed without an inboard engine. So, no way to power an auto pilot. I’m now installing a small diesel with an offset two blade folding propeller.

But I am a keep it super simple person. I don’t see ever adding an electric auto pilot as primary self steering. Way to complex, power hungry, and unreliable for my needs. I might consider a very small low power tiller pilot hooked up to my windvane quadrant which would be protected in the lazarette but truth be told I don’t think it’s something I would use much. Why over complicate the boat for something of such little value. And I want to keep the power demands on the boat as low as possible. Under 8 ah per day offshore running LED nav lights and AIS. I have never had electric nav lights so I don’t have a good feel what the impact will be on my small 12v system.

Longer voyages planned so for me less is more.

[ghockaday]

I like the bikini hatch cover.

We have condeplated a dodger but have not due to me being 6' 3" and wife being 5'. I have never liked the way most of them look either. We moved our traveler to the back so we don't have the coach top obstacle any more Not to mention that they are a trip hazard for me to get to the front of the boat.

But the little spray hood is interesting. Dennis