[Public-list] Articulated tiller

[Robert E Johns]

Charles and Brian,

The following are my comments on my articulated tiller made  
previously on this list. As you can see I am very much in favor of  
the idea .

"When cruising we use an AutoHelm tiller type autopilot a lot. When  
we first started to sail offshore Barbara was concerned that while  
under autopilot one of us might slip and fall across the tiller which  
would break it because the autopilot was holding it in a fixed  
position. The wood I found to build a spare tiller was going to have  
to be laminated in three layers because I couldn't find wood thick  
enough to make it in one piece. I realized that with the three piece  
lamination I could easily add an extra hinge (pivot) to the tiller.

The current setup that we have used happily for years is the  
following: the autopilot controls the tiller by connecting to the  
tiller with a bracket located about 15 inches from the rudder post  
pivot point. A second pivot point ('hinge') on the tiller is located  
just forward of the autopilot bracket. When under autopilot, the  
forward part of the tiller is tilted to a vertical position so the  
forward part of the cockpit is completely clear of the tiller. Only  
the 18 inches or so forward of the rudder post is blocked by the stub  
tiller and the autopilot.

Under autopilot the cockpit is clearer than it would be with a wheel.  
At anchor the tiller is pivoted to a vertical position at the rudder  
post and, as Mike pointed out, the cockpit is completely clear. All  
of the advantages of the tiller are there when not using the  
autopilot as you essentially then have a standard tiller. When  
leaving the boat on the mooring I tie the tiller stub and the forward  
part of the tiller is in the vertical position.

I can't imagine using any other arrangement on an A30 and am  
surprised that I haven't seen it on other boats."

Bob Johns, Wind Call, #397