Tillermate. Is it any good?

[Fire99]

The answer to that is to get PBO to run a comparative test - I'd be delighted to submit a Tiller-Hand for testing against all other mechanical tiller controllers.

These are all relatively simple devices - a mechanical brake working on a control line slung across the cockpit. They need to be as frictionless as possible when unloaded, lock solid when required and, where it is the objective to do so, allow a varying degree of resistance to the helm.

Any gear that lives on a boat needs to be durable and it's best if it is unobtrusive and doesn't take up more space than is appropriate to its benefit.

You can choose between the Tillermate, the Tiller Tamer (from USA), the Tiller-Lock, the Midshipman, my Tiller-Hand and a couple of others of more or less similar design to the rest. The Tiller-Hand is less than £20, you can spend up to £100 on others. I'd be happy for PBO to determine the best value for money but, also, to comment generally on the benefit or otherwise of tiller controllers.

I declare a commercial interest!

With a handfull of fairy dust, John appears out of nowhere.

Come on PBO.. Do a test.
That said, yours looks good V.F.M. John. Impressive stuff.

 

[jswindel]

I just use a knotted rope, fixed across the cockpit under the tiller, with a bit of bungy at each end fixing. On the underside of the tiller itself there is a simple horn cleat. I put the tiller in whatever position I need, pull the rope up into the cleat and it all stays there. If the tiller position isn't perfect, and it is usually good enough, I adjust the mizzen slightly. On a beat it will hold course for up to 20 minutes. Not so good on a run. Not perfect if I have to go below, but it works long enough for me to grab a jacket/thermos/chart. I use it more often than not. It didn't cost me anything as I had the bits, but to buy all the bits would be just a couple of pounds. It takes a second to connect or disconnect and you can unhook the whole thing if you want it out of the way. Attached photo just about shows it, in amongst all the rudder blade uphaul and downhauls lines.

PS I have modified it since the photo by tieing more knots in it to give finer control!

PPS You can see a video clip of Daisy G sailing herself here, with the knotted rope doing its job. This was off Old Harry in Poole Bay last May
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_D4J8rp0KU

 

[Scotty_Tradewind]

I saw a small 1930's gaff rigged boat a couple of weekends ago with another system.
The tiller comes over the back of the cockpit coming, as it does in many a small yacht. On top of the combing it has fitted a length of brass strip approx 3/4" wide with round holes of approx' 3/8" diam' in it about every inch apart. There is a block of hardwood about 5" long 3"x3" which has a 1" long 3/8"round brass bar set into one end but offset from the centre slightly.
The yacht is set on its course with a small amount of weather helm and the blocks pin is dropped into the hole with the block up against the tiller. If the position of the tiller is a reasonable amount out, the skipper can move the pin to the next hole(s). If the tiller is only a small amount out from where the skipper wishes it to be then the block can be rotated on its offcentre pin and the tiller allowed to rest against it again.

 

[oldharry]

I too have a Seasure Midshipman. However, I find that it has the maddening habit of letting the rope drop out every now and again (i.e. whenever I want to use it). It is then a fiddly and awkward job to get the rope back in. It is the correct rope, supplied with the Midshipman, and you certainly couldn't put larger rope through it to get a tighter fit. A possible reason is that I have it mounted underneath the tiller, with the open side downward, thus allowing the rope to drop out occasionally. I can't remember why I fitted it underneath like that, and I no longer have the fitting instructions. Others on this thread obviously do not have this problem. Perhaps they could advise me how they have their Midshipmen fitted.

Thanks in advance.

I dont thinkl it is meant to be fitted upside down. I have never lost the line out of mine. fastened simply with two woodscrews as far as I remember.