Source for new tiller?

bedouin

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Any suggestions as to the best source for a new tiller for Bedouin (Centurion 32) ? Either a custom build or an off-the-shelf blank I can shape / fit myself.

This is for a 32' boat and is straight and would ideally be laminated.
 

John_Silver

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Any suggestions as to the best source for a new tiller for Bedouin (Centurion 32) ? Either a custom build or an off-the-shelf blank I can shape / fit myself.

This is for a 32' boat and is straight and would ideally be laminated.


Tony Mackillican makes custom laminated tillers. Also has off the shelf designs for many boats. Used to provide the original tillers on British Hunters....which is where I know his high work standards from.
 

LittleSister

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When a laminated tiller on a boat I bought largely delaminated when I fell on it, I went to Robbins Timber in Bristol, explained what I had in mind, and they recommended and sold me a piece of (Red?) Oak, and cut it to convenient dimensions for my needs.

Bought myself a spokeshave, plenty of sandpaper, and carved myself a solid tiller using the old tiller shape as a template. I cut out the basic shape (a gentle S) using a saw, then used the spokeshave to fair the corners, and to make a nice round hand grip.

Despite only having limited tools and skills, I was quite chuffed with the results (though it turned out the original tiller shape was a bit low for my taste - I'd only had the boat a week before breaking it and hadn't yet noticed), and the tiller was still giving good service when I sold the boat a few years later.

In my view a laminated tiller is only advantageous for aesthetic reasons, or to avoid wastage if the shape of the tiller is particularly sinuous.

I'd like a better shaped and height tiller for my current boat, but it's a long way down the list of jobs in the queue. If it ever gets to the top, I might well make another one.
 

neil_s

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If it's straight, does it really need to be laminated? I recently made a new tiller from American white oak that I bought from a local builder's merchant. I varnished it with Ronseal outdoor - it looks great!
 

eddystone

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Reviving an existing thread rather than starting a new one, I'm looking for someone to build a new laminated tiller. Tony Mackillican doesn't seem to be active at the moment (car accident).
 

Wansworth

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Reviving an existing thread rather than starting a new one, I'm looking for someone to build a new laminated tiller. Tony Mackillican doesn't seem to be active at the moment (car accident).
It’s not very difficult make simple clamps with two bits of wood and nuts and washers and threaded bar to save on buying cramps make a pattern for the shape get the wood cut in laminates not too thick,glue and finish
 

vyv_cox

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Can I suggest Ash as an alternative. I think ash is better than oak for that application.
Ash rots badly. My laminated tiller fell apart due to rot, despite not being left out in winter. Most Google hits suggest it is not suitable for outdoors.

When mine failed completely I got a local timber yard to make another, in solid iroko. 20 years old now and as good as the day it was made.
 
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