[C38] Tiller conversion

Thu Mar 29 20:46:13 EDT 2018

Hi Marc,

I custom designed the tiller and had it built by 
the company that originally did all the woodwork 
for Catalina.  I purchased the last bracket that 
Catalina had to allow a tiller to be attached to the top of the rudder post.

I loved the tiller on the boat.  As we mostly 
raced the boat, it was good to get the weight out 
of the stern, and I could see the waves much 
better sitting on the side.   I had a 40" wheel, 
which was great, but made it easy to sail with 
more weather helm than is fast.   The tiller also solved that problem!

I quickly discovered during our maiden 
tiller-steered race that wood strips on the 
inside edges of the benches was a mandatory 
upgrade as there was nowhere to anchor my feed when heeling over.

I am pretty sure I wrote an article with pictures 
for the Mainsheet magazine, but I don't remember 
if I ever submitted it to them    I would be glad 
to send it to you if you would like (assuming I can find it).

After I had a couple kids, I decided to go back 
to the wheel.   If you are interested, I can put 
together a package of pretty much everything you 
would need for the conversion, including the 
tiller, tiller cover, rudder post bracket and the 
Morse engine controls (with cables and spare 
parts).  It would save you a bunch of time and 
money.  The only thing I can't include is the 
tiller extension, as it is on the J29 that I now 
race, but they are easy to get.

Let me know if I can be of further help.

David Epstein
Former owner, SuperStar
Marina del Rey, CA

At 05:20 PM 3/29/2018, Marc-Andrea Klimaschewski wrote:
>Thanks David, tiller conversion is one of the 
>things I'm looking into for a couple of reasons. 
>I recently installed an oversize wheel which is 
>nice for downwind sailing in a breeze (and fits 
>my size better, I'm 6'6" so the 32" wheel was on 
>the low side for me) but really limits the feel 
>on the helm. I also talked to Edson about 
>rebuilding the pedestal and they said that after 
>35 years of use I'd be better off putting a new one on.
>
>How did you like the tiller steering? What kind 
>of tiller did you end up using or did you make a custom one?
>
>I'll look into retrofitting parts from a newer 
>engine onto mine, if it is still the same 
>engine, that should be possible. The local 
>Universal service rep suggested a similar approach.
>
>----------
>From: Listserve 
><listserve-bounces at catalina38.org> on behalf of 
>David Epstein <davidepstein at earthlink.net>
>Sent: Thursday, March 29, 2018 5:12 PM
>To: Catalina 38 Listserve
>Subject: Re: [C38] Engine stop lever / pull to kill cable
>
>Marc,
>
>The throttle pull-back method of killing the 
>engine was, from what I recall, how the 5424s 
>were set up for only a few years.   The other 
>years the engines were designed for a separate cut-off lever.
>
>When I pulled the pedestal on Superstar to put 
>the tiller on, I had to address the same issue, 
>as most engine controls on the market now 
>combine throttle and shift, which doesn't 
>provide a means to pull the throttle back 
>further than the center "idle" position.
>
>I started designing a custom solution for a 
>separate shut-off lever, which involved one or 
>two sliding brackets to allow the throttle to 
>move throughout its range, and to provide for 
>the second cable that would only perform the 
>shut-off function.  I never got to the building 
>or testing stages as my mechanic found a used 
>Morse control with separate levers for throttle 
>and shift, which was compatible with the existing engine shut-off method.
>
>I don't know of an easy way to do what you want 
>to do, as your engine wasn't designed to work 
>that way.    Perhaps you could research the 
>possibility of retrofitting parts from the later 
>engine that had the separate shut-off cable.  I never looked into that option.
>
>If it will help, I am pretty sure I have the 
>cables with the "T" handles and some new chrome 
>angled escutcheons to mount in the cockpit that 
>I purchased when I was going with that plan. If 
>you need them, let me know and I will verify 
>what I have and come up with a great price for you.
>
>
>Good luck!
>
>
>David Epstein
>Former owner, SuperStar
>Marina del Rey, CA
>
>
>At 01:32 PM 3/29/2018, you wrote:
>>Content-Language: en-US
>>Content-Type: multipart/alternative;
>> 
>>boundary="_000_BY2PR1201MB0933C23A9B146C8D80FDC686C2A20BY2PR1201MB0933_"
>>
>>On Image, I currently have separate throttle 
>>and shifter levers at the helm. In order to 
>>shut down the engine, I need pull back on the 
>>throttle. I would like to add a pull to kill 
>>cable (T-handle in the cockpit to kill the 
>>engine). I know some boats have this (saw it on 
>>Peregrine for example). On the engine I don’t 
>>see a way to attach a kill cable – any ideas? 
>>My engine is an Universal 5424 – original as far as I know.
>>
>>Thanks
>>Marc
>>
>>_______________________________________________
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>>
>
>David Epstein
>Audio Video Consultation & Services
>Phone: 310.308.3083
>Mail to: 3826 Grand View Blvd. #66336, Los Angeles, CA 90066
>Ship to: 11671 National Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90064
>
>DavidEpstein at earthlink.net
>Board Member, CTA TechHome Division
><https://eur01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cta.tech%2F&data=02%7C01%7C%7C455432f4eff443132e0e08d595d30d2d%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636579656045879362&sdata=VBNecN9xVM%2F%2F98J1MjhX0Qw2ImKMFfnGAZnUs4QkIII%3D&reserved=0>www.cta.tech 
>(formerly CEA)

David Epstein
Audio Video Consultation & Services
Phone: 310.308.3083
Mail to: 3826 Grand View Blvd. #66336, Los Angeles, CA 90066
Ship to: 11671 National Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90064

DavidEpstein at earthlink.net
Board Member, CTA TechHome Division
www.cta.tech (formerly CEA)  
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