Emergency Tiller... Can I use a broomstick and a wad of chewing gum?

[wsmac]

Well... hopefully the title didn't make anyone pass this by...

For my Hunter 28.5, I have an access to the rudder shaft from the cockpit.
Looks like I'm supposed to use an emergency tiller there?

The PO didn't have anything to tell me about it... thought the owner before him put the hatch in.

I may wind up contacting Marlow-Hunter about it, but in the meantime, I figured I'd ask around.

Is this an actual setup to use an emergency tiller from?
If so, do I make my own or buy one?
I'll internet search, but experience and suggestions are always welcome and sometimes more helpful than Google

Thanks!

[Fiveslide]

Originally Posted by wsmac

Is this an actual setup to use an emergency tiller from?
If so, do I make my own or buy one?

Looks like it.

I'd initially put a little effort into searching the boat for it to be absolutely sure it wasn't there before I tried to make one. Ours was hung on a bulkhead and looked like plumbing until you removed everything from the lazarette and climbed down in it.

Then I'd make my own if I couldn't find it.

[boatman61]

Sure looks like it.. need a slotted steel rod with a yoke at the top to take the tiller bar.

[CaptJamesCook]

I owned an 1980 27' hunter
measure the inside of pipe.
now measure the pin going through it
then take a pipe that will fit down inside it
cut a notch with hacksaw for the pin
measure how high you want the tiller
thread the top place an elbow
then another piece pipe
(you could also cut another notch in the top of pipe and use a 1"x3"x3' for handle)
there you have an emergency tiller
or you can take measurments to a machine shop and have them make it out of stainless steel.

[Jim Cate]

Originally Posted by CooksFraming

I owned an 1980 27' hunter
measure the inside of pipe.
now measure the pin going through it
then take a pipe that will fit down inside it
cut a notch with hacksaw for the pin
measure how high you want the tiller
thread the top place an elbow
then another piece pipe
(you could also cut another notch in the top of pipe and use a 1"x3"x3' for handle)
there you have an emergency tiller
or you can take measurments to a machine shop and have them make it out of stainless steel.

Then, after doing all this, take the boat out and try to steer it using this mickey mouse device. All too many reports of even factory supplied emergency tillers not being functional.

Another approach is to contact Hunter and see if they have a drawing of their original issue, or even have one to sell you. If the latter, still give it the "will it steer the boat" test!

Jim

[hafa]

This is the same setup (albeit smaller) as on our Hunter 40.5. There is precious little room in the cockpit to accommodate the requisite length of tiller needed to steer the boat without superhuman effort. We tried it once and it took 2 people straining at it to move it. Several Rube Goldberg contraptions are fermenting in my mind, one of which may address the issue one day.

[CaptJamesCook]

Originally Posted by Jim Cate

Then, after doing all this, take the boat out and try to steer it using this mickey mouse device. All too many reports of even factory supplied emergency tillers not being functional.

Another approach is to contact Hunter and see if they have a drawing of their original issue, or even have one to sell you. If the latter, still give it the "will it steer the boat" test!

Jim

I guess my mouse ears were showing that much...ouch

I fully agree you would test it. First I would have just contacted Hunter and just have them send you one.
That is if you can't find it hidden below somewhere.

[Jim Cate]

Originally Posted by CooksFraming

I guess my mouse ears were showing that much...ouch

I fully agree you would test it. First I would have just contacted Hunter and just have them send you one.
That is if you can't find it hidden below somewhere.

Sorry... I did not mean to attack your approach to building an emergency tiller, but rather to attack the general design that is promoted by these manufacturers. A great many of them simply will not work in practice.

Nothing wrong with your general approach given the basic parameters set up by Hunter.

Jim

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by CooksFraming

I guess my mouse ears were showing that much...ouch

I fully agree you would test it. First I would have just contacted Hunter and just have them send you one.
That is if you can't find it hidden below somewhere.

Dont feel bad...most originals are inadequte too.

[StuM]

Looks just like the socket for mine. Which, for a 43ft cat, is a bent 25mm steel rod with a slot cut in one end. It is 900mm on the long(steering arm) and 600mm on the short (slotted) arm.

Measure the inner diameter of the tube and bend/cut an appropriate sized rod to suit.

[UNCIVILIZED]

Since the tiller arm is so short on most boats, it's often wise to configure the tiller so that you can attach a rope to each side, at it's end. And then lead the lines to a pair of winches, via a couple of blocks.
It's slower to manuver, but a lot less strain on the helmsman. And then when you "attempt" to dock, remove the lines, & use the tiller manually.

[hugosalt]

Made the pipe with notch and tested on my 30 fter.
Was a bear to steer in calm seas and for sure pipe (notch) would not hold up
for long. Have to machine a SS rod as per Stu's.
Have also thought about making a hole in upper aft end of rudder to rig with blocks
and winches if it came to that. Although a short swim needed to attach lines.
Another project that will never happen.

[wsmac]

Thanks for all the replies and suggestions!
I've read that emergency tillers can be harder to steer than a boat's regular tiller.
.
Heck! I'm gonna figure out how to detach the wheel and mount it horizontal as an emergency tiller... then... I'll catch the biggest squirrel I can find and stick it in a cage on top!... or is that a Hamster?.....

[GordMay]

See ➥ https://forums.sailboatowners.com/in...awings.157119/

[akprb]

Hunter pretty good about providing one, dig deep into those cockpit lockers.

If that fails a quick call to the company.

One of the advantages of mass production boats ;-)