Tiller Lock

[CPD]

I appreciate the cost differential etc. - but the advantage of a Tillerpilot IMHO far outweighs any mechanical Tiller Lock or Brake.

I will never go back to a Tiller lock system again after having a Tillerpilot. To the poster who uses a system to lock tiller over when coming alongside - I press Auto so TP goes to standby ... press whichever + or - button needed to put tiller over required side and that's it. Job done.

I couldn't agree more. I have done quite a lot of single handing, and very much regard the tiiller pilot as the second pair of hands. If your budget will stretch to it, then I would thoroughly recommend one.

 

[oldharry]

If you're using the tiller in the manner you suggest, tacking through traffic, you would have the tiller controller disengaged.
In any case, with the Tiller-Hand you can have it set so that you can move the tiller against the control line tension but when you let go the tiller stays where it was. I like to have mine set so that I can make minor course adjustments by nudging the tiller and letting the Tiller-Hand hold it in place. I find this useful when I'm busy tidying up the lines in the cockpit or some such task whilst under way. This is the benefit of an adjustable tiller controller as opposed to a tiller lock.[/QUOT

I do wish the new forum would indicate automatically whio is answering who, like the old one used to.

Assuming its me 'tacking through the traffic', the whole point is that single handed there are moments when it is safer to release the helm briefly to attend to a 2 handed job - sheeting in: releasing a tangled sheet for example.

The Midshipman allows me to lock on/lock off in a single movement, and although not designed to, I find it no problem to part lock it, allowing me to adjust briefly if I need to. I rarely find the need, because clicking on and off is so simple.

It really is as simple as applying the brakes on a bike. Set the tiller, flick a finger, and its locked. Another flick and its free.

 

[jusw]

Thanks for all of the advice guys - really helpful.

I do have an autotiller but I'd never have considered that for coming alongside etc. - to me it's used when on a "long" straight bit out at sea!

I really want the lock to hold the boat steady whilst doing a quick job.

For instance a couple of weeks ago I had just left my mooring towing the dinghy, I noticed the painter in the water, rather than letting it foul the prop, I reached backward to pull it in, only "took a second" but whilst doing that I took my eye of the steering and had turned 90 degrees and was about to plough amidships into a moored boat - Now, if I had locked the tiller .........................

Thanks again.

JuSw

 

[KINGFISHER 9]

Old Harry (above) is right ....... the Midshipman is a far better piece of kit than SaltyJohn's winding knob gadget ... Tillerhand is it? ...... anyway, I tried that one, found it fiddly when attached under the tiller, and could never remember which way to turn it when in a hurry ........... then replaced it with a Midshipman which is far far easier with a simple lever. Sorry SaltyJohn .. I've bought several useful items from you in the past but the Tillerhand (mate?) wasn't one of them!

 

[pampas]

With a Midshipman tiller lock I have found that if both ends have shock absorbers fitted,there is less tendancy to luff-up. Hover belts or inner car tubes work well.

 

[oldharry]

With a Midshipman tiller lock I have found that if both ends have shock absorbers fitted,there is less tendancy to luff-up. Hover belts or inner car tubes work well.

Now why didnt I think of that? Now, wheres SWMBOs old bike for a bit of inner tube....

 

[jswindel]

I've adopted an old, simple system to hold my tiller still. A length of rope pulled across the cockpit under the tiller, with bungy cord at one end and knots in it every few inches. Under the tiller itself there is a simple nylon horn cleat set forward of the rope. To hold the tiller I just pull the rope forward and hook it over the cleat. The knots stop the tiller sliding. It's not perfect, but certainly holds my boat on course long enough for me to nip into the cabin and fetch the thermos and a mug. When I'm on a beat I hook it in place and just sit back, the boat will hold her course as well as I can for a surprising distance. But it is the ability to be able to just hook it on while you carry out those little jobs that always come up, like pulling in a loose painter. It also works very well to hold the tiller down when hove to. I've used this system on several boats. It is dead simple and effectively free. Poor photo may be attached...