Tiller steering on an X
Posted: Fri Dec 21, 2007 3:10 pm
Clamped a socket on the midportion of the transverse rudder connecting tube. A pipe (the tiller) removably inserts in socket and angles up and fwd into cockpit under the helm seat. Intended as emergency steering input should stock steering break.
To use, raise the helm seat out of the way,disconnect steering cable plunger from the transverse rudder connecting tube, insert the tiller pipe in its socket , and push it left and right to steer.
With motor up, its weight tends to heavily push the steering rightward or leftward. With motor down its better. but still heavy and stiff in view of the shortness of the lever arm from rudder pivot axis to transverse rudder connecting tube.
Better than nothing, to get home on if the X wheel steering system locks up, but thats about it. I'll stick with wheel steering system on the X, particularly for the convenience of the boat steering itself and holding couse reaching and close hauled for 20 minutes or more at a time.....I've never beenable to get my prior tiller boats to do near as well.
Ron
To use, raise the helm seat out of the way,disconnect steering cable plunger from the transverse rudder connecting tube, insert the tiller pipe in its socket , and push it left and right to steer.
With motor up, its weight tends to heavily push the steering rightward or leftward. With motor down its better. but still heavy and stiff in view of the shortness of the lever arm from rudder pivot axis to transverse rudder connecting tube.
Better than nothing, to get home on if the X wheel steering system locks up, but thats about it. I'll stick with wheel steering system on the X, particularly for the convenience of the boat steering itself and holding couse reaching and close hauled for 20 minutes or more at a time.....I've never beenable to get my prior tiller boats to do near as well.
Ron