Tiller mate

[Dimond]

Hi All,
Can anyone tell me how to set up a tiller mate.
I do a lot of inharbour sailing on my own and the one problem I have is maintaining my heading when I tack and try to pull in the gibb. I have asked around the local chandlery but they do not stock anything like this. Can anyone recommend a solution or tell where I can find one.

Regards
Dimond.

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[VicS]

Is this what are looking for <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.tillermate.com>http://www.tillermate.com</A>.

It won't, of course, maintain an accurate heading as the balance of the boat changes as you haul in the jib after a tack. An autopilot such as the Raymarine ST1000 or the Simrad TP10 will transform single handed sailing. My old Autohelm is the most useful thing I ever bought for the boat.

<hr width=100% size=1><font color=purple>Ne te confundant illegitimi.</font color=purple>

 

[Joe_Cole]

£50 for that??????????? Lash the tiller with some light rope to get the same effect!

But, for best control VicS is right.

<hr width=100% size=1><P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by Joe_Cole on 22/10/2004 20:20 (server time).</FONT></P>

 

[Guest]

Agree Tillerpilot ...

Tillermate is ok if boat doesn't change heel etc.

Best is to pick up a tillerpilot - I have a AH800 and also as spare the AH1000 - best bits of kit ever .......

Ebay or someone may be selling of secondhand etc........

with this bit of kit - you can tack, steer a course, change course, interface to GPS etc. etc.


<hr width=100% size=1>Cheers Nigel http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gps-navigator/ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/searider/

 

[oldharry]

Tillermate is brilliant for the single hander who doesn't want/need to invest in a full autopilot. I have had one for years, and wouldn't be without it. My old Eventide held her course accurately for nearly 20 miles with one not long ago. On a smaller boat I had to keep an eye on the course, but found that she steered a pretty good average course. The more gusty the wind and the rougher the sea, the less stable it becomes - but a godsend for the short or singlehander.

Available from Aladdins Cave, Seateach etc.

Setting up is dead easy. Decide where you are taking the lines back to ( I use the pulpit legs), then locate the unit on the tiller so that in the neutral helm position, the ropes lead off forming a right angle to each other. Once the boat is trimmed and sailing nicely screw the knob done, or turn the locking lever depending on which type you have, and hey presto!

Oh, and dont pay more than around £35.00 on discount.







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[Guest]

Cheaper alternative ...

Is the rail with vertical pins .......

Courtesy of PBO Handbooks - I fashioned a rail across the transom with vertical pins located in holes along the rail. The position of tiller is not always amidships as we know - depending on wind direction / set of sails etc. - so the pins could be placed either side of tiller as required ..... this locks the tiller accordingly.

Another way ..... two lines clipped to small eyes screwed into tiller sides .... lines out to cleats at cockpit aft corners .... quick 8's around cleats and tiller locked in position ..... infinitely variable, cost about tenner ......... if that !!

Blimey - I find it sad that so many think that getting Cheque book out is the answer !!


<hr width=100% size=1>Cheers Nigel http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gps-navigator/ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/searider/

 

[ditchcrawler]

Re: Cheaper alternative ...

I used lines from the pushpit bases to jam cleats each side of the tiller.I found that strong shockcord on one side with a rope tail in the jam cleat made life easier.Whole lot cost me about £7.

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[Gunfleet]

Re: Cheaper alternative ...

You can do the same with chain and a pin on the tiller, or buy a tiller fitting from Helen Franklin (Aries spares) and clip the chain to that.

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