Tiller Cap Crack

[Paul Blumenfeld]

How serious is a crack in the tiller cap? Can I safely use the boat until it gets replaced?

I did find Ron's article in Tech Notes from 1996. Doesn't sound like the rudder will fall off but does steering become a problem?

Paul

[Paul Blumenfeld]

Thanks Ron!  I appreciate the help.  

I've got a new cap ordered.  Since I'm in Southern CA I'm not planning on hauling for another year or so to do the bottom. I think I'm the fourth owner so I'm not sure if it has ever been changed or not. There doesn't seem to be much vertical play and the wheel turns very easy. I'll check the vertical play more closely tomorrow.

The crack starts at the bolt and goes both directions for a total about 1/3 the circumference.

What does the cap actually do besides keeping water out and offering a place for the emergency tiller?

Thanks again.

Paul

[Paul Blumenfeld]

Thanks Ron.  I've got a lot to learn about maintaining this boat.  I've been sailing for years on smaller boats but adding an inboard engine, wheel steering, more electrical, etc.. makes it quite different.

Paul

[Stu Jackson]

Paul

We understand, and most of us have been there.

For laughs, read Wheel Thingy in the following post:  http://c34.infopop.cc/eve/ubb.x?a=tpc&s=329609511&f=829605811&m=460609811&r=460609811#460609811

And, if you haven't read it already, you HAVE TO read Steve Lyle's Second and First Years WEblogs:

http://c34.infopop.cc/eve/ubb.x?a=tpc&s=329609511&f=829605811&m=306608195&r=306608195#306608195

Kyle's weblog is great, too:  http://c34.infopop.cc/eve/ubb.x?a=tpc&s=329609511&f=829605811&m=719605934&r=422606044#422606044

There's been quite a bit of electrical input recently, so if you're interested, do a Find on "C34 Electrical Systems," and don't forget the Mainsheet tech notes.

All the best, enjoy your season,

Stu

[Paul Blumenfeld]

Thanks Stu,  I'll take a look.  

Do any weekly, monthly, annual maintenance check lists exist on the board?

Paul

[Paul Blumenfeld]

Ron,

Got the new tiller cap installed without too much trouble.  Even with the C-clamp I had to use a screw driver to pry the shaft up an 1/8 of an inch.  The other issue I found was that the two holes in the shaft are offset by a 1/4 inch so the holes on the new cap didn't line up. I had to drill out one hole on the tiller cap to get it to fit.  That's probably what led to the previous cap cracking.

Thanks for the help.

Paul