Tiller Fittings

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markhankey

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There I was minding my own business sailing towards the Volvo Port Race off Bembridge yesterday when BANG - off came the tiller. Not too handy in 35 knots of wind! Anyway firstly many thanks to the boat that circled around us while we got ourselves sorted out. Secondly does anyone know of a bronze fabricator on the South Coast (or Surrey) who can manufacture a new tiller fitting for me??

Thanks in advance for all of your help!

Mark
 
What broke ? have you got a photo? How did you "sort yourselves out"
Just out of interest for the rest of us please.

PS. Can't help on the fabricator, not on the South coast.
 
The bronze fitting which connects the tiller to the top of the rudder head sheared off. The emergency tiller didn't have a fitting on (always assumed that the wooden tiller would break and not the metal fitting!!!). We duck taped the end of the old tiller to the rudder fitting (difficult as there was not a lot of fitting to work with) and then did the same on the other side of the fitting with the spare tiller after that we lashed to 2 together. The trip back (under power) was bumpy (into a head sea) and slow but we made it back. For the record if it hadn't been too busy on the Solent we would have tried to sail the boat back (but would have had difficulty getting into Portsmouth - QHM probably wouldn't like it!!). We could have always tried the spinnaker pole/washboard solution or a bucket over the stern!!
 
It's not in your area but might be worth giving Classic Marine in Woodbridge a call. They deal in a lot of bronze stuff for classic boats, but can also arrange special one-offs in bronze. Alternatively browse the Yellow Pages and see if there is a foundry in your area.
 
It should be possible to repair the old one, but you will need sound advice from one of the resident Metallurgists (Cliff ?) to be sure the correct brazing alloy is used.
 
Before commenting I would like to see some pics of the piece(s). Certainly weld repair of bronze is quite possible depending on the location of the fracture.

I have been trying to picture what exactly has broken but cannot recollect any rudder post fitting other than a block (unbreakable). I am thinking it is the piece connected to the tiller that has failed but am probably wrong in this case - photos please!
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"Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity"
 
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