[C38] Tiller?

[Tom T.]

We use a wheel and not a tiller and under heavy wind conditions it can
become very tiring as you say.

Two things that help us are:

1.	We have a small enclosed genset that mounts on the stern locker that
provides a high seat for the helmsman.  This improves visibility as well as
gives a better position for leverage on the wheel.

2.	Anytime we have weather helm, we attach bungee cords between the toerail
and the wheel to neutralize the weather helm.  This not only reduces the
strain required on the helmsman but it also eliminates load on the Autohelm
saving it and the battery charge.  Without the bungee cord, the Autohelm
would get very hot but now it runs cool with the help of the bungee cord.

The bottom line is that for the price of a very inexpensive bungee cord,
you can totally eliminate weather helm, save your battery charge, and save
your arm strength for 12oz curls of your favorite adult beverage.  If you
want to raise the helm seat without the expense and work of enclosing a
genset as we did, you can build a removable wooden helm seat to fit over
the aft locker to lift the helmsman.  We used a makeshift board between the
coaming tops to hold a throwable cushion before we built the enclosed
genset. Both seat types work very well to elevate the helmsman for better
leverage and view.  It is more fun and safer seeing from that elevated
position, let alone the additional steering leverage advantage to the
helmsman.

Tom Troncalli
Renata hull #95



> [Original Message]
> From: <david at dlrfilms.com>
> To: Rod and Patti Headlee <ja38 at earthlink.net>; Catalina 38 Listserve
<listserve at catalina38.org>
> Date: 5/11/2009 9:48:26 AM
> Subject: Re: [C38] Tiller?
>
> This is encouraging to read.
>
> The wheel/high seat is nice when we're under motor in flat water, but
> those are just the sort of conditions we try to avoid. When it's gentle
> you're kind of stuck back there by yourself, and when you drive the boat
> hard, it's not the best ergonomics: sitting doesn't give enough torque,
> and standing is feet wet. I end up standing on spoke and steering with my
> feet. All in all, I like it better with the windvane engaged and sitting
> forward, or sitting infront of the wheel and steering tiller style.
>
> A couple of questions:
>
> *Anyone have an idea where I can find the fitting that will connect my
> tiller to my rudder post?
>
> *Where do you have your instruments and motor controls mounted? We've got
> our one-lever throttle forward/reverse lever on the pedistal, and plotter
> and fishing finder. Mostly that's pretty handy for times when we really
> need them. But of course I end up taking the plotter off and setting it on
> a towel on the bench when we're making coastwise runs with the windvane
> engaged.
>
> > Hi,
> >  Joint Adventure is tiller steered. I wouldn't have it any other way.
> > After putting 10k miles on her, sailing down to the South Pacific, I
> > don't see how you guys can sit back there and use a wheel. It's pretty
> > wet all the time at the stern seat and when we take green water from
> > large waves, I couldn't imagine having to be there. Our monitor steers
> > most of the time but in certain instances I just pop the chain off and
> > hand steer. We also store some jerry jugs and various items back there,
> > it's kind of no mans land for us.
> >
> > Rod
> > S/V Joint Adventure
> > hull #12
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> >>From: david at dlrfilms.com
> >>Sent: May 10, 2009 5:45 PM
> >>To: Catalina 38 Listserve <listserve at catalina38.org>
> >>Subject: [C38] Tiller?
> >>
> >>Hello All!
> >>
> >>
> >>I'd love to reclaim the space taken up by the pedistal and jumbo wheel,
> >>plus I use my wind vane a lot,  and the whole interface is easier to
fine
> >>tune and unrig with a tiller.
> >>
> >>Have any of you tried running your boats with a tiller instead of a
> >> wheel?
> >>Like it? Hate it?
> >>
> >>Thanks!
> >>
> >>-David
> >>
> >>
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> >
> >
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>
>
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