4/17/15

One of the first Jobs I did on the Tumbleweed in 91 was to convert to tiller steering.  I used the fitting off the end of the emergency tiller. I removed the bronze deckplate and the emergency tiller fits onto the square end of the top of the rudder shaft.  I made a new tiller out of laminated 1/4" strips of mahogany about six feet long as I remember.  The SS deck fitting I made had an aluminum split bushing held in place by four screws.  The tiller also pivoted up for steering standing up or tying it vertically when at anchor.  It was one of the best mods I ever made.  I just lost my head one day and ripped out the old steering.  Tons of room in the lazerette,  same for cockpit.  The windvane works like a charm with the tiller. 

-Gary Spear, SV Tumbleweed, Tayana 37 Ketch, Hull 169