[Public-List] Tiller wobble and possible fix.

[Michael Connolly]

Now wait a minute. All folks know that Canadian beer is far superior to anything made in the states............................ 
Jonathan, 
I have solved this issue on several boats using bronze washers. The rudder head and tiller fitting on our boats should be bronze. A washer on just one side is fine. If you are finicky about this you can pare down the washers so there is an equal number on each side and the tiller is centered so to speak. Yes I have been known to do that. 
BTW a bit of grease on the washers helps to hold them in position whilst aligning them for the bolt. 
Happy driving..................oh and Thanksgiving! 
Michael #133 


----- Original Message -----

From: "Gordon Laco via Public-List" <public-list at lists.alberg30.org> 
To: "George Dinwiddie via Public-List" <public-list at lists.alberg30.org> 
Cc: "Gordon Laco" <mainstay at csolve.net> 
Sent: Tuesday, November 21, 2017 10:23:31 PM 
Subject: Re: [Public-List] Tiller wobble and possible fix. 

Yes, you’re guaranteeing corrosion damage, and the aluminium is too soft to last long in that application. 

A permanent cure would be to build up the inside bearing surfaces of the rudder head with brazing, then grind and sand it down to fit. Not difficult to do, but this will be a lasting solution. 

Gord 
#426 Surprise 

On 2017-11-21, 8:12 PM, "Public-List on behalf of Jonathan Bresler via Public-List" <public-list-bounces at lists.alberg30.org on behalf of public-list at lists.alberg30.org> wrote: 

Folks, 

Got tiller wobble, The metal H shaped section connecting the tiller to the 
rudder head fitting does not fit as tightly as I would like. Initial 
movements of the tiller take up slack then finally start to move the 
rudder. Decided I needed to do something about this. 

Obtained two pieces of top shelf aluminum shim stock from the side of a 
Heinekin beer car. Folded the two pieces in half. Trimmed the pieces to 
match the height of the H fitting and a similar length. Drilled a 3/8" hole 
in the center of each of the two. Installed one shim on each side of the 
rudder head fitting between the rudder head and the tiller H fitting. 

Went sailing today. Comparatively NO wobble. Nice tight response. 
Shouid have done this a while ago. Hoping that the aluminum shim stock is 
softer than other metals, bronze for the rudder head, and steel(?) for the 
H fitting. Would be happy to replace the shim stock every year in order to 
prevent wear of the other parts. 

Thoughts? Am I risking corrosion damage? 

Jonathan 

P.S. Stole the idea of using beer can shim stock from Robert Pirsig's 
_Zen_and_the_Art_of_Motorcycle_Maintenance_. Hard to believe that the book 
is forty-three years old now. 

-- 
Jonathan M Bresler 
S/V Constance Alberg 30 #262 
Annapolis/Eastport MD 
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