Getting rid of the play in tiller

[Bob B]

On my CD25D there was a good bit of play in the tiller resulting from loosness in the bracket attaching to the tiller post. Our surveyor recommended that I find a nylon washer and place it in between the bronze tiller arm and the bronze on the rudder post. It worked great and cost all of $0.25 to fix.

By the way, we were out last weekend in shirt sleeves on Saturday and then in a great 20+ breeze with spray over the bow on Sunday. A lighter boat coming out behind us saw the reef in the main and the spray coming over the dodger and turned around and went back to the dock. Don't you just love those Cape Dories?

Bob B.



BundyR@aol.com

[Jim Westpfahl]

I have similar play in the tiller. I tried a bronze washer last year with small improvement in the situation. It seemed to wear in too soon. I'll use a nylon washer when I place the tiller back on the post. (I took her home this winter to place some coats of near perfect varnish on the tiller and flag mast).
By the way, are you folks south of the Mason-Dixon Line rubbing the ideal sailing weather of the south in to those of us who must haul out our boats for the winter season?
Five weeks until I sail, again.
Jim



JamesW7644@AOL.COM

[Bill]

I have the same situation in Rhapsody. Please let me know if it makes a differance.

On a weather note - I was working outside yesterday and had on sandles and no shirt (in OK)....Forecast for this weekend is a high at or near 70 degrees.....I tell you this not to rub it in, but to hearten you....Spring is on its way!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Fair Winds

Bill

I have similar play in the tiller. I tried a bronze washer last year with small improvement in the situation. It seemed to wear in too soon. I'll use a nylon washer when I place the tiller back on the post. (I took her home this winter to place some coats of near perfect varnish on the tiller and flag mast).
By the way, are you folks south of the Mason-Dixon Line rubbing the ideal sailing weather of the south in to those of us who must haul out our boats for the winter season?
Five weeks until I sail, again.
Jim

cd25d@rhapsodysails.com

[Bob Ohler]

I believe that I used a stainless steel washer on the old Aloha Spirit (CD25D hull #2). It was a perfect fix, and it made the boat much more comfortable to steer. Stainless, bronze or nylon will all work. You just need to find a washer with the correct thickness.

Bob Ohler

I have the same situation in Rhapsody. Please let me know if it makes a differance.

On a weather note - I was working outside yesterday and had on sandles and no shirt (in OK)....Forecast for this weekend is a high at or near 70 degrees.....I tell you this not to rub it in, but to hearten you....Spring is on its way!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Fair Winds

Bill

I have similar play in the tiller. I tried a bronze washer last year with small improvement in the situation. It seemed to wear in too soon. I'll use a nylon washer when I place the tiller back on the post. (I took her home this winter to place some coats of near perfect varnish on the tiller and flag mast).
By the way, are you folks south of the Mason-Dixon Line rubbing the ideal sailing weather of the south in to those of us who must haul out our boats for the winter season?
Five weeks until I sail, again.
Jim

bobohler@chesapeake.net

[Kurt]

I used brass sheet metal bent and drilled to fit over the the rudder post. I installed it 10 years ago and has worked like a charm. I calculated the thickness needed with a set of feeler guages and then purchased the brass at a hobby shop. I sail a CD26



kjlgpw@aol.com

[Bruce Barber]

In my case the looseness was between the bronze tillerhead fitting and the bronze fitting on the tiller. Washers on the hinge bolt didn't seem to help. What did work was having a machine shop place weld beads, about 1/16" proud, on both sides of the tillerhead fitting to fill the gaps. This was planned to be a bit too much, and I just filed them down enough to get a snug fit with zero play.

Bruce Barber
25D Nancy Dawson



bruce.barber@att.net

[chip]

Before choosing a material for your washers, be sure of what your rudder stock and tiller fastings are made from.

- Chip

I believe that I used a stainless steel washer on the old Aloha Spirit (CD25D hull #2). It was a perfect fix, and it made the boat much more comfortable to steer. Stainless, bronze or nylon will all work. You just need to find a washer with the correct thickness.

Bob Ohler

I have the same situation in Rhapsody. Please let me know if it makes a differance.

On a weather note - I was working outside yesterday and had on sandles and no shirt (in OK)....Forecast for this weekend is a high at or near 70 degrees.....I tell you this not to rub it in, but to hearten you....Spring is on its way!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Fair Winds

Bill

I have similar play in the tiller. I tried a bronze washer last year with small improvement in the situation. It seemed to wear in too soon. I'll use a nylon washer when I place the tiller back on the post. (I took her home this winter to place some coats of near perfect varnish on the tiller and flag mast).
By the way, are you folks south of the Mason-Dixon Line rubbing the ideal sailing weather of the south in to those of us who must haul out our boats for the winter season?
Five weeks until I sail, again.
Jim

chipgavin@alum.colby.edu