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Author
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Topic: centering the tiller when paddling
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California
Member
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posted July 12, 2003 08:48 PM
 
When I paddle my CL14 (no outboard thank you), the tiller swings about. Hanging on to it while paddling is, at least for me, a bit too much. I think a solution is to attach a shock cord hooked from the base of the mainsheet block (on the centerboard case)to the tiller. This would keep it centered, but also allow me to steer when needed. To attach it to the tiller I had thought of putting a plastic cleat on the underside of the tiller. I could adjust the tension with a quick wrap.I would be interested to know how other people have handled this problem. I have never installed a cleat on an aluminum pole. What do I use and what tool do I need? Thanks
Bob
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Eric
Member
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posted July 13, 2003 01:25 AM
Hi Bob.Yes, sounds as if you need a tiller lock of some sort. There is one made by Davis, and another made in Canada called a Tiller Pilot. Both will hold the tiller for you. Still other sailors have made their own tiller locking rigs. Whatever works for you! As far as fastening a cleat to an alumminum pole(your tiller I assume), your choices are pop-rivets, or drilling, tapping threads and fastening the cleat with stainless steel machine screws. Pop rivets are available all alumminum, so as to minimize possible corrosion due to dissimilar metals, as in the machine screw senario. If you prefer the machine screw idea, you can coat the threads with Locktite or silicone to provide a barrier. Either method is quite simple to do. Others folks here may come forward with more ideas. Hope this helps for now. Cheers, Eric
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lablover
JuniorMember
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posted July 13, 2003 11:23 PM
hi on my cl14 there is a u shaped bracket on the floor centered below the tiller. this bracket is where the back of the foot strapes go. what i do is hok a bungee cord to bracket then over tiller and back down to bracket,hope this helps
lablover
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whited
unregistered
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posted July 15, 2003 07:18 AM
I was wondering if a good sized bungie cord could be attached (by bungie hook) to the gunwale on one side, wrapped or tied around the tiller handle and then stretched to hook the other gunwale.
I haven't tried this yet.
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Tom D CL16
Member
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posted July 15, 2003 07:36 PM
On my CL16 I have a bungee cord that I attach to the loops that the hiking straps are attached to. I loop it over the tiller and it holds it relatively straight. If i stretch it to either side it will stay a little to weather or lee if I need. This is similar to the responce above. However while sailing be carefull. If you don't believe me see my post about my first sail this year.
Tom D.
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California
Member
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posted July 16, 2003 12:30 AM
Thanks to everyone for the replies. I can't see an easy way to attach a shock cord to the gunwales (nothing on which to attach it). I was thinking of looping it though the spinnaker sheet blocks, but that maybe too complex and use too much cockpit space. I will be going out this weekend or perhaps the next one to test both a shock cord from the tiller to the mainsheet block and one from the aft hiking strap u-bracket around the tiller and back. We will see what works best.It will be a big sail for me. I will be using my spinnaker for the 1st time. I have never used one on a dinghy before, only on a 30' Shields. I will post my results. Hopefully a happy posting. Oh, Tom I had not intended to use it to help while paddling, not when undersail, but I can see the temptation. Your warning is well taken. Bob
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CL Staff
Administrator
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posted July 25, 2003 12:05 PM
Hello:The suggestion about the eyestrap on the floor of the cockpit is what we recommened. It is what we call "the third hand". Its simple, a shock cord loop around the tiller and attached to the floor. Fair winds, ------------------
Cody
Sailing Advisor/Sales manager/Web Development
CL SAILBOATS
codyc@clsailboats.com
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California
Member
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posted July 28, 2003 09:51 PM
The "third hand" and a shock cord was a winner. A 15kt wind was blowing at the launch ramp and I paddled her out from the dock and right onto the trailer. I decided the wind was a bit too strong for my 1st attempt to fly a spinnaker on a dinghy. Maybe next time. Thanks to all for their input.A little excitement ended the day. Minutes after I pulled the boat and trailer out of the water, a large rescue craft came up and ordered everyone away from the crowded 8 lane launch ramp. You should have seen boats cars, trucks and trailers going every which way with the rescue department employees yelling and the boaters scrambling to get out of the way. Now a very curious crowd watched as a procession of rescue craft came up the channel, a line was carried ashore, hooked onto a truck's winch and with considerable effort a 20' Bayliner emerged from the bottom scraping its way up the ramp. I wonder how far they dragged that thing across the bottom of the harbor to get it to the ramp?
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Canadian Sailor
unregistered
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posted August 04, 2003 07:24 AM
Well the dragging certainly didn't help the boat's hull.------------------
Canadian Sailor ;)
"Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way, when you
criticize them, you're a mile away and you have their shoes."
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ntodd
Member
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posted August 04, 2003 08:21 AM
Might have helped dredge the harbor a little though... 
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CL 'CL16 1698' Nelson
JuniorMember
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posted August 14, 2003 11:15 PM
So, um, what was the emergency? The boat was already sunk, wasn't it?
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California
Member
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posted August 15, 2003 12:35 AM
I think it must have sunk at the dock or a mooring. As far as I could tell there was no emergency. I would like to say they had taste for the dramatic, but I think that once they dragged it into the channel, they wanted to get it out right away. It was a very busy day out there.
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