Tiller Extension

This was another little project from 2 years ago which I did not post at the time as I kept forgetting to take a photograph.

When I purchased Tra Bhui she had no tiller extension fitted. As the Gig is one of the wider Drascombes a tiler extension was desirable to allow the helmsperson to sit of the cockpit while helming. While at 6’2” I could reach the tiller without too much problem – but not a lot of comfort, Kathleen who often helms had to perch on the edge of the side buoyancy tanks as she is a foot shorter than me.

As we were planning to a few longer cruises with Tar Bhui choosing a tiller extension which was comfortable to hold and which was easily extendable were our main criteria.

Having looked at a few extensions I opted for  a Spinlock extendable, asymmetric extension. As according to Spinlock it features include:-

·  Asymmetric grip fits the hand and supports the wrist on or off the wind

·  Two handed helming mode lets the arms relax into a more comfortable, elbows-down position

·  Push-button adjustment with Torlon™ ball locking mechanism

·  Strongly engineered stainless steel swivel joint for precise control

·  Removable fast pin for easy stowage

·  Integral shock absorber

·  Weight - 0.7kg (1.54lb)

·  Designed for the hardest conditions, to reduce the strain and increase the sheer enjoyment of helming.

All I can say that having used it for just for just under a thousand miles so far it is worth every penny that it cost.

Spinlock tiller extension

Fitting the extension to Tra Bhui was a simple job as the extension which is easily removable is held on by means of a stainless steel fitting which is countersunk into the existing wooden tiller.

Hole drilled into existing tiller

To fit the countersunk fitting I simply marked the position where I wanted to go, drilled a suitable sized hole, put the countersunk fitting in place and then drove home the two screws which secure it. As the hole for the fitting potentially weakens the existing tiller which is fairly thin at that point, I made two strengthening pieces out of some teak offcuts. These I glued on to each side of the tiller using an epoxy glue.

Gluing the strengthening pieces on to the tiller

A storage clip which is held in place by two wood screws was mounted further down the tiller to allow the extension to be stowed away when it is not being used.