Tiller stock

[SteveB_Sigma33]

Can anyone recommend a good place to get a replacement wooden tiller from for a 33' boat?

Much appreciated.

 

[Chrusty1]

Well, you could buy a lump of timber and make one? /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[SteveB_Sigma33]

Well dependant upon price that may well be what I end up doing, but would rather be sailing

 

[Chrusty1]

Well there a number of blokes around that will make you a tiller, there is someone that specialises in doing it, but I am blowed if I can remember who he is? It isn't a very difficult job, even a laminated one is not hard to build, something you could do in your spare evenings really. I would offer to build you one, but I am too far away for convenience.

Maybe somebody will be along shortly who can help?

 

[SteveB_Sigma33]

No worries Chrusty, I have a spare one that will do for the moment, but I would have thought they would be easy to pick up on the Internet. Bit of a surprise that it seems almost like a cottage industry.

Best go get my whittling knife /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[SteveB_Sigma33]

Chrusty, can you recommend a good piece of hardwood timber to work with, I know obviously teak etc but was wondering if any of the other hardwoods would be suitable?

Any advice appreciated.

 

[Gargleblaster]

A few years ago there was a chandler near all the mud moorings in Fareham that used to carry beautifully laminated tillers. I had to stop going in there as I wanted one that had the most delightful curve in it. so I can't tell you if a. the chandler is still there or b. they still carry ready made tillers. But it is not far from Port Solent if you want to check it out.

 

[Chrusty1]

Hi Steve.........I have found him /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

http://www.boatsntillers.co.uk/

OK, up in the darks side, but I believe that the carrier pigeons can work out of there?

 

[Chrusty1]

[ QUOTE ]
Chrusty, can you recommend a good piece of hardwood timber to work with, I know obviously teak etc but was wondering if any of the other hardwoods would be suitable?

Any advice appreciated.

[/ QUOTE ]

I could but see other post, and see what you think?

 

[Salty John]

Here's a company that makes tillers:
http://www.tonymackillican.co.uk

I have no idea of prices.

 

[dukes4monny]

I helped a friend last year when a pontoon mooring line got under his Contessa 26 tiller in a blow and snapped it off. He took the remains to a local timber merchant, they cut a new piece to roughly the right shape. 2 hours fiddling and fettling by us with a power planer and sander, followed by two coats of varnish and the next morning we went sailing /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
Well chuffed with the results too..........

 

[SteveB_Sigma33]

Do you know what type of wood you used?

I think it's going to be the cheapest and of course most rewarding way to go /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[robmcg]

I had a new tiller made up by Tony Mackillican. Excellent piece of work about £150 and made within 2 weeks. That was for a laminated shaped tiller which is a hefty size. Try e-mailing him, he gets back to you pretty quick and like I said he does a superb job at a reasonable cost.

 

[LittleSister]

I broke a tiller a few years ago and found Robbins timber, Bristol very helpful. They recommended Oak or Ash, if I recall correctly, and cut me a suitable sized piece of Oak (very nice, slightly pinkish tinge to it, too) there and then for what seemed a reasonable sum.

I bought a spokeshave and spent a few happy hours copying the double curved shape of the broken one. That had been an old laminated one that de-laminated itself a bit when I fell on it in bouncy conditions on one of the first trips in my newly acquired boat ( a Hurley 22). Having copied the shape I then lovingly varnished it, and it looked a treat. Only after fitting it did I realise that it (and the tiller I had copied) were a bit too low for ideal comfort! Still, not bad enough to warrant changing, and it gave sterling service (and won approving comments) until I sold the boat.