tillerlock vs tiller clutch

[Windkiller]

On my previous boat (18.5 Crown(little Cal20)I used a length of shock cord with a turn or two around the tiller, worked well and would hold a course in mild conditions(it had some give) But it would wear the finish off the tiller and then wear indentations into the wood, I had duck tape around the tiller to help(ick), I guess I could've used some thin brass plate or aluminium wrapped around.
i found it annoying as I'd just done the brightwork, Same thing with the new boat. works okay but when you get it tight enough it wears the tiller down, I've also looked at the tensioning block sort of unit that mounts underneath..I think something simple would be good though with minimal holes in the tiller, so I'm trying to decide between these two units both of which look quite simple and have a minimum of lines

[dhays]

Originally Posted by Windkiller

On my previous boat (18.5 Crown(little Cal20)I used a length of shock cord with a turn or two around the tiller, worked well and would hold a course in mild conditions(it had some give) But it would wear the finish off the tiller and then wear indentations into the wood, I had duck tape around the tiller to help(ick), I guess I could've used some thin brass plate or aluminium wrapped around.

Perfect place for a turks head around the tiller. Not only would it protect the tiller, but it would add some more friction to the system.

Dave

[celenoglu]

Used tiller lock for a long period of time. It is very easy to use and locks the tiller without any problems.

[Windkiller]

Oh heck now I have to learn to tie a turk's head
I can make a thump mat.

[jjablonowski]

I've used the Tillerlock clutch on my Catalina 25 for three seasons now, and I LOVE it.

Very intuitive; even nonsailors first-timing on the boat don't question "How's this work?".
Rugged design; no maintenance problems.
Easy to use as a brake, not just clamping in one position but taking some rudder pressure off hand-sailing.

To neaten the installation, I routed out a shallow, flat-bottomed indentation in the top of my rounded tiller.

Occasionally use our Raymarine Tillerpilot autopilot for longer passages, but seldom now bother to get it out and mount it, because the clutch is always there.

And of course it's super easy to lock the tiller amidships when leaving the boat on its mooring.

[mikehoyt]

I had a tiller lock style device on last boat and liked it. Current boat I installed the Davis Tiller tamer and it also works well. Of the two I prefer the Lock device over the tiller tamer. Either will do

[CarbonSink62]

I have the Davis Tiller Tamer on my Capri 18 and it works well for lake sailing; I haven't had a chance to use it on salt water yet. There were plenty of crew on my last (first with this boat) trip last year who were eager to take the helm.

I now have a Forespar telescoping tiller extension and I believe they have a bulkhead mounted fitting that allows it to work as a tiller lock. Has anyone used one of those?

I hesitate to get one because it looks like I'd need to cut a 2"x3" hole in my cockpit coaming to mount the fitting. That's a much bigger commitment that just drilling holes for 2 #8 screws.

Ken
Capri 18 #299
Moment of Zen

[mitiempo]

You could surface mount it in a block of teak or starboard but it would certainly be neater flush mounted.

[Windkiller]

Hey jjablonowski
Thanks for your reply
To Clarify, you said you used a "tillerlock clutch"

There's a Tillerlock

annnd a Tiller Clutch

I'm trying to decide between, from your description I'm assuming you mean the brass and stainless Tillerlock? Is that right?
Thanks

[John Carl]

I bought and installed a tiller clutch about 6 months ago and I love it. To set it is instantaneous and simple to disengage is just as easy. It is literally a finger tip away. Prior to that I was using bungee cords. No comparison.