New Tiller (wood)

[Varne850]

We have a Varne 27, as youve problably guessed by the username!.
We want to replace the Tiller which has seen better days. I had a stainless steel one made at work, but Alan prefers good old wood. Problem is I can't find anyone locally (Yeovil and surrounding ) to make us one. Its kind of S shaped but has to be steamed?. I would like to keep him happy and get one made in time for Xmas. Saves buying socks and aftershave! I have the old one to use as a template. Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks
Pat

 

[philip_stevens]

Try phoning Martin Heard, at Gaffers & Luggers (or is it Luggers & Gaffers??) on 01326 374441 or fax 372469. He is at Mylor Bridge, near Falmouth.

He makes his own wooden masts, spars, rudders and tillers for the gaffers he builds. He is very helpful, and if he can do it, it will be well made.

You may have to call a few times as he is not on mobile, and also send a fax.



regards,
Philip

 

[castaway]

Hi Pat,

This subject came up about a year back and was quite well covered. I had to laminate a tiller for my last boat ( Pacesetter 29) and as I was rather short of cash went slightly against the conventional route and cut strips off a sheet of 3 or 4 mm ply that was around the workshop.

It was so easy as the ply was more flexable than the usual straight grained lathes that one would usualy use for this and the end result was really very good.

Most of the process is pretty obvious. But basically you need a suitable size board to build off and draw your tiller shape onto. You then need to fix blocks to the board to bend the strips around to maintain their shape (you are lying it on its side).

You will need to put some paper of similar on the board to stop the whole thing sticking to it and lots of clamps, prob one every 3-4 inches.to squeeze the laminates togewther. Best glue to use is polyurethane foaming glue, but Im sure that the usual evostik resin glue would do as well.

As you will be cutting the strips from a board you may as well cut the tapper as you go (assuming your tiller is tappered) and this will save on the planing later.

Planning and final shapping is dead easy so long as your plane is reasonably sharp and it may well be best to aviod Epoxy glue.

My tiller still looks brand new after 10 years or so and is bullet proof

Regds Nick

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.yachtsite.co.uk/fairweather>http://www.yachtsite.co.uk/fairweather</A>

 

[dickh]

I can also remember doing this years ago for an Enterprise dinghy - easy to do, don't make the laminations too thick or they will be difficult to bend, I used Ash & Mahogany I think - makes a nice Tiller. Make sure its on a stiff board, strong shaping blocks and plenty of clamps.

dickh
I'd rather be sailing... /forums/images/icons/smile.gif

 

[vyv_cox]

Coates in Whitby advertise in PBO that they will make tillers to order.

 

[Guest]

morton boats near lincoln made me one for £50 and made a 1st class job
they my be able to do somthing by post

morton boats
eagle road,
morton,
swinderby,
lincoln

01522 868689