Play in Tiller

[Tim D.]

Thanks Bill, I had not completely forgotten, but did get misplaced in the shuffle.
Tim

[bill@ariel231]

Tim

Just a quick note on this subject:

Historic Arts has a lot of good stuff but they didn't get the pattern for the ariel/commander tiller castings. They have the 1.5 inch casting (for the vanguard and alberg35) they also have the 1.25 inch casting for the pearson 26 (designed for a vertical shaft))

Folks who have the right part in production are zeke durka at ensign spars (same part as the ensign) and bristol bronze, bristol's tiller head casting is through drilled for the shaft, having seen both parts, i lean towards the ensign spars part for originality)

Cheers
Bill@ariel231

[Tim D.]

I think this is why I was confused reading previous threads, I am into functionality, which replacement would give me the strongest for the buck?

[bill@ariel231]

Both the ensign spars and bristol bronze parts appear to be equally strong. The cross-sections and alloy choices appear similar. The failure modes for my tiller were dissimilar metals (prior owner installed an aluminum tiller in the bronze casting... Not good) and wear on the bolt holes in the tiller head casting. If you have the original and the holes a just a bit oblong, you might want to talk to a welder experienced in repairing bronze (a propeller shop can fill the holes back in and re-machine the part)

I'm not concerned the original part is "under-sized" 40+ years of service is a lot to ask. My project this year is to replace my tiller head casting with an original pattern part. The rough casting is on the workbench awaiting a keyway and some time in the drill press.

[ebb]

Bill, be great to see some working fotos of how you finesse the new tillerhead casting.

Tim D,
My guess is CHE is still in the Bay Area. Some time ago now I had the rudder shoe cast in 655 over in Richmond at California Castings. They might still be there. They did a beautiful job using the finest sand possible, I got to see the sand box they cast it in. There wasn't much finishing that had to be done.

If it is in business and you want to set it up, I'll meet you over there with the tillerhead. I'll bring the complete fitting.
You would bring the rudderhead to see if they are indeed the same..

[Tim D.]

Thanks for the offer Ebb,
Yes Che' is still at Richardson Bay marina and will be until probably end of June. That is when I am hoping to bring her up to my yard in Mendocino for work to be done.

Do you have the tiller piece that matches my rudderhead?

Tim

[ebb]

Tim, Don't know.
It looks like what I have, ie the rudderhead in your photo.
And we have to assume it's original and like the others in the fleet.
Not quite sure how one tells.

Can we preliminary meet? Sausalito? I've got to get some microlite filler at WestMarine. San Rafael? Little Gull is on the hard at SRYH. We can compare the pieces. See if they fit. Then at least you know what you got.
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Later Post:
....OK Tim, let's arrange a day for you to stop by SRYH. Borrow the tillerhead - take it to yer boat - try it on the rudder piece. If it fits then maybe talk with Bill231 about how he got his cast.