[Public-List] Tiller Head

[mahseer at kos.net]

I also drilled a hole through the rudder post and used a sheer pin instead
of a bolt.  However over time I think this is a mistake because I now have
a 1/4" hole in my 3/4" shaft that must weaken the bronze shaft.

John Boor
MAHSEER #380



> The reason that shafts are made with keyways is so that if you hit
> something with enough force to shear the key, you shear the key
> instead of breaking the shaft.
>
> Go to a boat show and look at rudder stocks, and I challenge you to
> find one that is through-bolted. Nobody makes them this way and there
> is a reason for that. They always have keys and the reason is so that
> if you hit something you shear the key instead of breaking the shaft.
>
> Engine shaft couplings and propellers are made this way for the same
> reason. Keys are easier and WAY cheaper to replace than shafts,
> propellers, rudders, or other machinery.
>
> Bottom line: it is much cheaper to replace a key than to replace a
> shaft. In the case of our rudder stock, you can take the head off with
> a wrench in the cockpit. Imagine how much work it would be to replace
> a bent or broken rudder shaft. It would require a haul-out for
> starters. Not to mention the fact that the rudder stock is an integral
> part of the rudder itself, so it would be a real pain to get it
> separated from the rudder blade, have a new one made, and re-install
> it.
>
> Do what you want, but for my money, I would see if you can fix the key
> and/or head fitting. It's regrettable that you had a hard time getting
> a new head from Edson, but that's nothing compared to what it would
> take to replace a rudder stock.
>
> A key will not guarantee you won't bend or break a shaft, but it
> certainly is a cheap insurance policy.
>
> That's my $0.02.
>
> Kind regards,
>
> J Bergquist
>
> On Sun, Oct 11, 2009 at 10:50 AM, Jonathan Budington
> <jon at globalprinting.com> wrote:
>> Ed,
>>
>> This sounds like my problem  Did you have any trouble getting the head
>> off after the key slipped?  Any advice on drilling that hole?  Sounds
>> like a permanent fix.
>>
>> Thanks,
>>
>> Jon
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: public-list-bounces at lists.alberg30.org
>> [mailto:public-list-bounces at lists.alberg30.org] On Behalf Of edward
>> schroeder
>> Sent: Sunday, October 11, 2009 10:26 AM
>> To: Alberg 30 Public List -- open to all
>> Subject: Re: [Public-List] Tiller Head
>>
>> On Emotional Rescue #303, I replaced the tiller head as it was also
>> slipping. I discovered that the bronze key was not engaged sufficiently,
>> or had abraded from a once-sufficient size, so that it did not engage
>> the groove to take the shearing force.Also, the clamp on the aft side of
>> the head did not grip sufficiently.
>>
>> However, when I purchased a new head from Edson, it too had the groove
>> cut, not on center, so that it forced the tiller to be off-center. I
>> sent two back to Edson before I received a straight head. Edson told me
>> that they were cutting the grooves by hand and that "some could be
>> slighly crooked". I was disappointed with there answer.
>>
>> I subsequently drilled a hole athwartship through the entire head and
>> rudder post and inserted a 1/8 inch bolt and nut to take the shear
>> force. Since then (5 years) we have had no trouble.
>>
>> Ed Schroeder
>>
>> --- On Sun, 10/11/09, Jonathan Budington <jon at globalprinting.com> wrote:
>>
>>
>> From: Jonathan Budington <jon at globalprinting.com>
>> Subject: [Public-List] Tiller Head
>> To: "Alberg 30 Public List -- open to all"
>> <public-list at lists.alberg30.org>
>> Date: Sunday, October 11, 2009, 8:18 AM
>>
>>
>> I was sailing last night - beautiful evening with about 12 knots of
>> breeze.  We passed under the Bay Bridge, and we were hit by a 25 knot
>> gust.  The boat wanted to head up, so I pushed down hard on the tiller.
>> We reduced sail, but I noticed I was fighting to keep the boat on track.
>> I realized that the to keep the boat on a straight course, I had to keep
>> the tiller almost all the way over to the starboard side.  I made it
>> back to Annapolis, but the last left turn into the slip was a real
>> challenge.  I played with the tiller after we tied up; it seems to be in
>> full control of the rudder, but way off center.  Could the head have
>> slipped on the post?  Doesn't the post have a keyway to prevent this?
>> Could it be something worse?
>>
>> Jon Budington
>>
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