Tiller Pins

[Max Treece]

I have a 1974 Cape Dory and a little while back noticed the pin toward the handle end of the tiller protruding out on one side of the bracket that holds the wood. A few taps with a hammer put it back in place and from the working in the slip noticed that it had done it again to the point that one side of the bracket didn't have the pin in it and the tiller handle had moved a little off center. I have tapped it again and put everything back in place. Since these pins don't overlap and just fit flush with the bracket on each side, there isn't anything to keep the bracket from spreading out a little letting the pin continue to work loose to one side or the other. The pin closest to the spindle has never moved. My question is should I replace the pin with a bolt and nylon nut so the bracket will be held together onto the wood tiller? Is there anything I need to be concerned with in making this change?

Thanks for your help in advance.



metreece@duke-energy.com

[Duncan Maio]

Max:

The pins you are having trouble with are bronze pins that are pressed into the tiller strap, usually by drilling a slightly undersized hole and forcing the pin into place. the holes usually have a very slight countersink, and the ends of the pin are peened over (beat on with a hammer) to fill the countersink, then ground flat.

The advantage to this system, as opposed to a bolt and nut, is that there is nothing to snag a line or toe on. There is nothing wrong with a nut and bolt, although I have not found a source for bronze nylocks.

Duncan Maio
Mystic Marine



mail@mysticmarine.net