tiller head assessment

[ebb]

Would like to initiate a discussion on the bronze A/C tillerhead which attaches to the top of the rudder shaft.

Capt. Walbert's additions to the sides of the fixture (on Kestrel, Ariel #1) got me thinking again about this imho heavy clunky piece of bronze. Seems evident that if this tiller head is in Ariel #1, as well as Ariel #338, have to assume the fitting is on most if not all the rudder shafts between.

First of all, there is a lot of weight cantilevered off the top of the 1" shaft.

Second, the casting has very little room for the wood of the tiller. On 338 the space left for the tiller is 1 3/16" by 1 3/16" square where the wood goes in to be bolted into place. Makes me wonder if this casting was meant for a metal tiller? Strong arguement here for an aluminum one.

Or, why have such a HUMUNGOUS fitting for such a skinny tiller?

Third, because of the cramped dimensions of the channel the three bolts that are meant to hold the tiller on are almost in a straight line. Not good with wood. I'll wager that many a tiller was split there at the 'heel' when somebody leaned on it! Of course you'd make the tiller with more meat underneath, but that concentrates the holes for the fastenings along the top. Not good design.

Fourth, When you lift the tiller up because you want to steer standing or sitting on the coaming or avoid knees - the amount of bearing surface diminishes between the fixed head and the hinged tiller part.

Fifth, imho the rectangular design of the hinged part is wanting.


OK, let me put forward two ways to improve this situation with a new casting. A casting pattern for this one hinge piece would be simple to make.
A wider deeper channel to hold more tiller end and have more bearing surface when the tiller is raised. I believe the casting thickness could be reduced to 1/4". I would think 2 1/4" wide minimum - with the sides at least 1 3/4" deep. Making a revised fitting of around the same 5#(total) weight.


Many tillers these days are made of laminated strips. With the right glue it is a strong tiller. You can have a emphasized 'S' shape to get the tiller out of the cockpit better. With the design we have the fasteners go thru the width and therefor thru the glue line of the strips. Not good. But a solution is relatively simple.

The second improved casting would have the flanges for the bolts on top and bottom of the tiller. You can easily see this by imagining the flat top of the channel we have now with a corresponding bottom with the sides left OPEN. It's a matter of designing a strong and pleasing shape. This is the way I'm leaning.....

If anybody is interested in such an 'improvement' this is the place to talk about it.