Tiller Lock

[Faster]

Google image search for 'Tiller comb'... some ideas here...

tiller combs - Google Search

Keep in mind, though, on smaller boats after you set the tiller in the 'right spot', when you go forward often you'll upset the balance of the boat enough for it to veer off course one way or the other.. so this is usually a very short term solution.

[marianclaire]

I use a set up like Slayer discribes. I added two CLAM cleats, port and starboard. The clam cleats allow for instant release and easy fine adjustment. Dan S/V Marian Claire

[travlineasy]

The $29 Davis Tiller Tamer always worked great for me. The only problem I ever had with it was when I forgot to release the thumb screw.

Gary

[kwaltersmi]

Here's my review of the Davis Instruments Tiller Tamer: Sail Far Live Free: Taming your tiller

[FoolishMuse]

The tiller tamer is a pain because you need to unscrew it to release. And you will have to release any time the boat gets off course.

For years I've used a rope, about 6' long, with 1' of bungee cord on either end. I clip the bungee cords to the toe rail. And then 1 or 2 wraps of the rope around the tiller tip (depending on wind strength).

The beauty of this is that it is easy to push the tiller manually if you want to. It just stretches the bungee cords. It is also instant to remove the rope if needed.

See the first section of the video at FoolishMuseSelfSteering.wmv - YouTube

[sawingknots]

if and when you buy a tiller pilot,you won't regret it,best money i've spent and i'll not be without one again otherwise even with some kind of jury rigged rope/strap etc you're still a tiller slave

[PaulinVictoria]

I use a tiller tamer, and the lightness of my tiller means I can set it such there is enough friction to hold it where it is, but I can also move it without having to undo the screw thingymajig. I like it.

[Squidd]

Like i said in the OP.. not looking for an autopilot "substitute" or any long term arrangement, but just some options to run up front if I need to without the boat doing circles on me...

Real Autotiller is on the "list" but probably not a "day one" option at this point. I just got talked into rigging more of my lines to the cockpit.

[shanedennis]

We have had a Tillerlock (www.cansail.com) on our 22 footer for three years. Uses a simple line clamping method. It sets and releases easily. Previously used clove hitch method described in another post. Rank it as one of our more handy improvements.

If you check out vega1860's videos on youtube you will see he uses a surgical tube or elastic setup. It looks good to me because it seems to respond to slight wind shifts and wave action better than my rigid system. Vega1860 used the setup for most of a slow passage from Hawaii to Washington state.

[sfchallenger]

When I had a tiller boat I used to tie a length of line close to my boat length to the tiller with a rolling hitch, then take the bitter end forward with me to the foredeck. With a well played flick of the wrist I found that I could actually steer the boat well enough to keep her into the wind or roughly maintain a point of sail. I had success with this method on a 24' and a 27' boat, now I just need to figure out how to make it work with my 40' wheel-driven ketch!