Question of the Day #1 - Tiller

[Spartan]

I've got a good list of questions so not to over do it I'll post one topic a day

Tiller:
There are two tillers with my boat, both not good.  First one is delaminated, but not just at a glue joint, second one is a tree branch (no kidding).
While I'm all for inguinity, long term a tree branch isn't for me.

So question : Does anyone have a pattern to laminate a new one?  (also what types of wood are reccomended?) or what's a good source for a new one, I've seen a couple on-line price $99 + shipping, before varnish. (iboats.com and idasailor.com)


Thanks
Tom

[Pacman]

When my 1976 tiller came apart I replaced it with a used one from a Catalina 22.

The Catalina owner had replaced it with a new one because there were chips in the finish and he didn't want to bother with refinishing it.  He was going to throw it away so he gave it to me for free.

It fit without modification and the extra length made it easier for me to sit a bit forward in my favorite helm position.

That also helps balance the boat so she sails on her lines without the all to common speed-robbing "stern squat".

There is noting wrong with the stock tiller but this presents an opportunity for you to have it exactly the way you would like to fit your preferred helm position.

Also, there is nothing wrong with just cutting one out from a nice hardwood board for the shape and length you want.

[skip1930]

How bad is the de~laminated tiller?

Sand it back down to wood [san varnish] and then pour/brush in some resign and wrap in wax paper and clamp the de~laminated wood back to a stock shape.
When dry, sand her down and re varnish the mahogany.

skip.

[Spartan]

Thanks guys.

Skip it's more a dry rot issue, a layer of wood split not a glue joint.  I'm afraid that might not be the only weak area.  That said I have plenty of epoxy on hand wouldn't hurt to try.

A longer tiller would be good when single handling.

Thanks again

[CaptRon28]

I worked a deal for the Telstar Association to buy tillers from the company that makes most of them - H&L Marine Woodworking in Rancho Dominguez, California. We must have bought a dozen so far for about $60 each. They were custom made and would have easily cost over $200 to duplicate. West Marine sells stock ones for well over $100 as I recall. If a group of owners got together and contacted them I'm sure they would do something similar.

But do it under the banner of this Association, if the administrators would go along with it. Group purchases like this is one benefit of belonging to this and other associations. You'd be surprised how many companies will deal with a group and what you will pay for the merchandise.

[brackish]

I used my old tiller to make the pattern for a new one.  doubled 3/4" plywood to make a laminating frame cut the curve on a band saw.

I used Ash and Walnut because I had scrap around of both, but any hardwood will do.  If you alternate species make sure they have similar coefficients of expansion so they won't try to work apart.

More on mine:

http://cpyoa.geekworkshosting.com/forum/index.php?topic=3210.0

[Bob23]

Hey Brack:
   I just checked back on your tiller making posts....how did the Bristol finish work for you?
Tom:
   A question a day? Sounds like "Stump the Chumps" on CarTalk.
   I'd echo Bracks tiller method...looked like it came out fine. If you don't have wood working experience, I guess 100 clams isn't all that bad. I, for one, don't like the idea of just a hardwood board. A laminated tiller is much stronger...a single board could split. Just my 2 cents.
bob23

[Spartan]

I've built several woodenboats so no problem with woodworking, fiberglass and epoxy use.
When surfing I saw several tiller sizes, curves etc, was wondering if there was a template or suggested sized that folks liked.

[brackish]

Hey Brack:
   I just checked back on your tiller making posts....how did the Bristol finish work for you?

The original assessment a few months after application:

http://cpyoa.geekworkshosting.com/forum/index.php?topic=3522.0

After a couple of seasons I still like it compared to other clear coatings I've used, but I expected a little more.  98% of the surface coated is tight, clear, and glossy.  But there are places that just don't wear well.  For instance, in the picture the bottom edge, the corner or lip of that nice routed design on the drop board will not keep coating.  I think it may be because water stays there and then it magnifies the UV.  Additionally, my boat sits at dock with one side oriented to the West.  The east side is shaded for about half the day, so sees much less UV than the West side.  Sharp corners on the hatch slide guides and some spots on the eyebrow on that west exposed side (port in my case) just won't hold the Bristol for a full season.

Practical sailor did an analysis of marine wood coatings some time back and rated the two parts as more durable than the singles, but Bristol came in second to another coating that escapes memory.  When I run out of Bristol, I may try it.

I've done one annual maintenance coating and am looking for a nice day with temps in the 60's and no wind to do the second. 

[Bob23]

A minor note:
   I had the same problem with finish not lasting on the bottom edge of the lower drop board. I stuck 2 or 3 little rubber buttons (the kind you put on a kitchen cabinet door to minimize slamming) on the wood stop on which the drop board rests. It really helped to eliminate the wood to wood contact and also left an air space to no water could trap in there.
   That is a nice Compac design on your board. Maybe the water just lays in there.
   I like Flagship on all my exterior teak but nothing seems to last long on the eyebrow trims. Last season I used Cetol on those alone but I don't really Cetol has much UV resistance. I may resort to painting them. Or another coat of Cetol.
   I have that old Practical Sailor magazine somewhere. If I dig it up, I'll post it.
  I just read your assesment. I guess I must be loosing my memory for I see that we had this discussion before. Dang memory...I'm always misplacing it. I wonder where I left it?
bob23

[brackish]

This one for Bob23 and all others approaching that age where it is relevant:

http://video.search.yahoo.com/video/play?&p=tom+rush+remember+song&vid=40e3b78c3a2c6be290554e856bb85d33&dt=1323331200&l=0&turl=http%3A%2F%2Fts4.mm.bing.net%2Fvideos%2Fthumbnail.aspx%3Fq%3D1598432149747%26id%3D6f1c6e4c10ba2e7630eed58250fa807c%26bid%3Du8f7oWNHEhU3qQ%26bn%3DThumb%26url%3Dhttp%253a%252f%252fwww.liveleak.com%252fview%253fi%253d9c3_1325133847&rurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.liveleak.com%2Fview%3Fi%3D9c3_1325133847&tit=Tom+Rush+Plays+%26quot%3BThe+Remember+Song%26quot%3B&sigr=11d6rkqa9&newfp=1

[Bob23]

Thanks, Brack: THAT WAS GREAT!!! I think I remember him from back in my hippie days, late 60's, early 70's if I recall. 
bob23
(btw...have we met?)

[brackish]

(btw...have we met?)

I can't "remember"

[Bob23]

Remember what? I seem to forget what I was supposed to remember. I think.

[Pacman]

I definitely can't be sure of that, but maybe.  Could you repeat the question?