Santana 2023 greatest mod ever! (for the factory OEM tillers)

Posted By: Gary, 2023A, Milwaukee
Date: 8/31/07 4:02p.m.

Report: outside forum guidelines

OK, I first broached this a couple of years ago, when I first 'found' you guys. Sat on the shelf, since. The night prior to deperting for the Mackinac bridge run earlier this month, I decided to complete it. Having earlier started to install the Simrad TP-10, I figured the 'best' (i.e. quickest) way to rig for the pilot would be to incorporate this same idea. OK, SS clamp, Home Depot (perfect!) cost... $3? This important: I purchased the 'wheel' last winter. Can't remember exactly, but it was, in order, either Menards, Home Depot, or Farm 'n Fleet. I looked through DOZENS of differing wheels until I found this softer blue colored... 'whatever' the material is. Cost me about $2, or so. Entire mod cost less than $10.00. I *UNDERSTAND* that people will question my sanity on screaming the virtues of this. Trust me, you simply have to do it, use it, to understand. Originally, I wanted it to keep the tiller off the deck, as it left an unsightly 'scuff'. What I did here, was adjust it to the PERFECT height for me, and also for the TP-10 installation. All of the work was completed about MIDNIGHT, while I was rushing to get done. I used a small wooden shim as you can see. I quickly fired up a pneumatic sander, 'roughly' notched a groove for the circular tiller to sit in. Compression holds in place. My goodness, I cannot express how sweet this turned out! Yes, I have to 'finish' it (when I stop sailing and get arund to it), but she glides like silk across the cockpit sole. I mean, I can sit, leaned back on the outboard, grab the BASE of the tiller (no leverage), and simply glide the tiller to whatever angle I desire. Hey, I'm writing to much! If you don't get it, don't bother. Or, for that few dollars, copy this. You'll love it! First day or two, in the rain, it left a light blue 'stain' on the deck. I knew it would come off. Didn't need scrubbing, just rinsed with water. It also HOLDS the tiller up at the correct height for your hands (you adjust it). So, you know longer have to hold the (OEM) tiller off the deck the entire time you sail. Ah... enough's enough. Try it.