Converting Emergency Tiller to Permanent

[brianontheroad]

Our steering chain broke while we were in the Bahamas earlier this year and we started using our emergency tiller until we could get a new chain shipped in. The emergency tiller is over three feet long, stainless and fits on top of the rudder post. We have a long cockpit and the tiller fit great and we found we preferred sailing with the tiller to the wheel, we're considering converting to a tiller full time, the tricky part is the deck fitting -- the rudder post is about 4 - 6" under the deck and is accessed through a screw on deck plate which leaves a big open hole in the deck for rain/spray etc. to drain into the bilge

I'd like to have the attachment to the tiller at the deck level with some sort of membrane or gland to keep water from getting below decks....thoughts or suggestions? We'll obviously make a nice wooden tiller to add to the classic looks of our boat (1967 Chris Craft Apache)

I attached a photo - not sure if it will show up in the body?

Thanks!
Brian

[Chief Engineer]

What is the size (outer diameter)of the post...what is the the OD of the rudder

[delmarrey]

As a Machinist, I would make an adaptor that screws into the pocket with an o-ring seal. And extend the square above the deck with a lip seal to keep the water out. Pretty simple.

Here's a real quick drawing.......


.

[brianontheroad]

thanks for the drawing, that's pretty close to what I was thinking -- just wasn't sure of the terms I would use to describe it, I'll do a little googling and see if I can't come up with the right bearing and seal

Thanks!
Brian