Dinghy tiller extensions: are they so expensive for a good reason?

[Greenheart]

Please don't ask why I'm wondering...I'm presently perfectly happy with my 48" extension...

...but the fairly specialist very long tiller extensions which certain dinghies require, seem pretty expensive to me, at over £100. Probably it's because over a certain length, they're carbon fibre instead of aluminium...but is there a good reason for that?

A couple of years ago, our 22mm dia telescopic shower-curtain rail ceased to stay up, and we replaced it. In winter when there's nowhere to dry damp laundry, I still use the old rail to hang stuff above the bath. So I know how strong it is, and how lightweight. And how cheap it was...

...if (let's say) I needed a trapezing-length tiller extension, I'd first try that old 48" - 72" shower-curtain pole, with a rubber grip and a universal joint. Why pay more?

 

[Kukri]

Because, to judge by my elder sprog's IC tiller extension, they need to be carbon fibre to stand up to the abuse they get. An an alloy pole of similar dimensions would not stand a hope.

 

[Iain C]

When the extensions are long, they need to be light, stiff, and strong. On my 49er they are 2.5m long, and ally ones are carp...you can't "stab" the extension during startline shenanigans, and they just wobble about generally, really taking a lot of the feel away. If you capsize, or your trapeze adjuster slips, you will almost certainly break it over the edge of the wing (bear in mind you trapeze totally flat on a 49er and the stick is almost resting on the wing). A high end carbon one (C2, Shock, TekMarine etc) wont have these problems.

For narrower boats, you can compromise a bit. When I built my Cherub I used carp (as in the fish, not forum slang) landing net poles. At about 1.75m they were fine, but just not nearly strong enough for the niner.

As Keith Bontrager, bicycle component designer, once said...

"Strong. Light. Cheap. Pick two."

 

[lw395]

Carbon is stiffer, but cheap carbon ones break.
An alloy one will bend, you can bend it back and finish the race.
For most boats, ali is adequate.

 

[claymore]

I have a ronstan telescopic extension on my Gem Micro.
Its lasted years because it is really well made and the key bit is the flexible rubber joint. It gets bent every way and looks as good as new(probably break next time we are out)
I cannot remember how much it was but remember it made me cough!
Money well spent I think and without doubt the component parts were really good quality, hence the price.

 

[maxi77]

Certainly cheap extension break easily especially when you capsize. They may be cheap and easy to replace but try sailing back to shore in windy weather without an extension, then you will wish you had paid more. Yes alloy ones will bend back, once or twice if the bend is not too big, big bend cannot happen, they break

 

[lw395]

Certainly cheap extension break easily especially when you capsize. They may be cheap and easy to replace but try sailing back to shore in windy weather without an extension, then you will wish you had paid more. Yes alloy ones will bend back, once or twice if the bend is not too big, big bend cannot happen, they break

I've put a 90 degree bend in mine by missing the toestraps. Bent it roughly back and finished the race. Lost a couple of places but finished ahead of arch-rival.
Junked it next day.
I sometimes sail on a friend's RS800, on this we carry a spare extension inside the boom.
Even alloy ones are not cheap though!