Specifications for the simplest of steering systems
A tiller is a horizontal beam connected to a rudder for the purpose of turning it for steering. The word’s origin is obscure, but was probably influenced by the Middle English tillen, to pull. Tillers are now mostly found on small sailboats, although there are still large sailing ships that use tillers moved by tackles.Any suitable material may be used to construct a tiller, but most are made from solid wood or laminations of wood strips, which are more easily bent into the shape required and glued together.Most people prefer the handgrip of a tiller to be round in section and about 1¼ inches (32 mm) in diameter. For different lengths of tiller, the square-section size at the rudderhead varies from 2.43 inches (62 mm) for a 4-foot (1.2 m) tiller to 3.08 (78 mm)
Tiller CombA tiller comb is pretty much what it sounds like: A blade on the bottom of the tiller drops into the teeth of an upturned comb to hold the tiller in position. A convenient tiller comb is like an extra crew member. It will hold the boat on course while you crank in the genny, adjust the topping lift, or nip below for a spot of tea. Well-balanced boats can sail for hours with the helm locked, which makes watch keeping much less tiring.Don Casey, in 100 Fast and Easy Boat Improvements
1. Determine the location of the comb. When the rudder is well aft, the comb can often be mounted to the aft end of the cockpit, hinged to fold down when not in use. When the rudder shaft comes up through the cockpit sole, a removable bridge is the more likely mount.
2. Based on the comb location, equip the tiller with the blade stop. The simplest is a length of angle iron screwed to the bottom of the tiller. You might also epoxy thin bar stock into a slot routed into the tiller. Since the tiller travels in an arc, the blade must be long enough to remain over the comb. A blade thinner than the kerf of your circular saw makes comb fabrication easier.
3. Use the stop as a guide to lay out the teeth. Placing the slots close together provides finer adjustment, but the thickness of the stock determines how thin you can cut the teeth and still have adequate strength. Remember that the angle of the teeth changes as you move away from the centerline. With the teeth marked on the blank, you should be able to cut them sufficiently accurately freehand with a circular saw. Make the comb as long as you like, but in use you are unlikely to ever want it to hold the tiller more that a few inches from the center position. (For heaving to, the tiller should be lashed).inches for an 8-foot (2.4 m) tiller.From the rudder head, the tiller should gradually taper down to the handgrip. The square section adds strength in a vertical direction. The rule of thumb is that a tiller shouldn’t break if a 200-pound (90 kg) sailor falls on it.See also
Steering Systems
