Emergency Tiller (April 1992)

For quite some time, we were concerned that the boat lacked an emergency tiller. With only the wheel steering with its many parts, it was like waiting for a disaster to happen.

Providing an emergency tiller was complicated by the fact the solid, stainless rudder stock had, apparently been cut off, and did not extend beyond the upper rudder bearing which was mounted to the floor of the cockpit. This meant that we had to extend the height of the rudder stock. When the boat was up in its cradle, for the winter, we removed the rudder. This required removal of the steering quadrant and having the boat high enough to drop and remove the rudder.

We purchased a 6 inch piece of 1-1/8 inch diameter stainless bar stock and had it welded to the top of the rudder stock by a certified welder. He did a very good job and the new, longer stock was aligned perfectly. We then machined a 1/4 inch key way into the stock. The rudder head and tiller jaws  are shown below. These pieces were obtained from Rig-Rite, Inc.

After this hardware was purchased, delivered and checked for fit to the rudder post, the woodworking could begin. We laminated a curved tiller from thin strips of teak. This required a jig, epoxy resin and careful clamping. After the rough tiller had set, it was shaped, by filing and sanding, into its final form. 

The tiller is attached to rudder head with a Ball-lok, quick release pin that is attached to the tiller with a short leash of stainless cable, to prevent loss. We store the tiller in the v-berth shelf. The rudder head is securely attached and always ready.

These pictures show the tiller before and after installation.

In the case of an actual steering system failure, the tiller can quickly be installed and the wheel can easily be removed and stored in one of the lockers. This provides added clearance for the tiller. The emergency tiller is 26 inches long and does not provide finger-tip control, yet the operating effort is not very high. Later, in 1995, we had the master link in the steering chain fail. We returned safely to port, using this tiller

{Lesson learned:

When buying a boat, carefully check the emergency tiller capability and assure yourself that the provisions are adequate. Don’t sail the boat unless it has an emergency steering capability.}