How to secure tiller pilot ram to tiller?

[Vega1447]

I sail an Albin Vega 27, usually solo.
In lumpy conditions (when a quick reef seems like a Good Idea) the tip of the ram can bounce off the pin on the tiller.

I've fiddled round with bungee cord but haven't found a fix that is instantly releasable and also secure.

Any suggestions?

 

[johnalison]

I think your bungee just needs some adjustment. It has never happened with my Autohelms.

 

[davidej]

Is the ram roughly horizontal? = if it is much out from this it will tend to push itself off.

 

[Vara]

Agree with Davidej, if it jumps off the angles are wrong, had that problem on my Nic, couple of packing pieces solved it.

if it has been a long term problem the end socket on the ram may be distorted and need replacing.

 

[lustyd]

On mine you can choose to rest it on top for quick removal and temporary use or click it down properly in which case it will never come off without pulling hard upwards. As Vara said, if it no longer clicks then you need a new plastic end for the ram.

 

[Vega1447]

Thanks to all - I'll try replacing the end piece.

 

[charles_reed]

Agree with Davidej, if it jumps off the angles are wrong, had that problem on my Nic, couple of packing pieces solved it.

if it has been a long term problem the end socket on the ram may be distorted and need replacing.

I'd agree - I replace the socket end on mine about every 4 years - I've found the Navico one better than the Raymarine - the socket has a retaining high point around the entry, giving a positive fix - the threads are interchangeable.

 

[Slackie]

I sail an Albin Vega 27, usually solo.
In lumpy conditions (when a quick reef seems like a Good Idea) the tip of the ram can bounce off the pin on the tiller.

I've fiddled round with bungee cord but haven't found a fix that is instantly releasable and also secure.

Any suggestions?

I had the same issue with my Vega. The tillerpilot just rested on the cockpit locker lid when the ram was engaged with the pin, so it would easliy bounce off whenever large movements of the ram were required - ie whenever the pilot was most needed!

I solved it by raising the angle of the tiller slightly by inserting a thin hardwood shim into the hinge - between the top of the rudder stock and the bottom of the tiller (I think there had once been a hard rubber shim in there that had long-since disintegrated). This raised the height of the pin on the tiller sufficiently to prevent the ram bouncing off. Works perfectly now.

Hope that makes sense!,

Nige

 

[Vega1447]

I had the same issue with my Vega. The tillerpilot just rested on the cockpit locker lid when the ram was engaged with the pin, so it would easliy bounce off whenever large movements of the ram were required - ie whenever the pilot was most needed!

I solved it by raising the angle of the tiller slightly by inserting a thin hardwood shim into the hinge - between the top of the rudder stock and the bottom of the tiller (I think there had once been a hard rubber shim in there that had long-since disintegrated). This raised the height of the pin on the tiller sufficiently to prevent the ram bouncing off. Works perfectly now.

Hope that makes sense!,

Nige

Thanks Slackie.

I (following advice) mounted my TP an inch or so aft of the Vega cockpit locker cover.

I think that (having read the above) replacing the socket end may be the solution...

The socket end just sits on the tiller pin - I think (again from the thread) that it should click into position.

I bought the TP secondhand so maybe the socket end "hole" is worn...