Tiller/helm

[Kentheshirt]

am looking to fit tiller steering ( she currently has wheel ) on my 28ft kent class, has anyone done it , where did you get parts etc ???

 

[JennyMorgan]

Are you thinking DIY? If you are then I'd start by looking at the head of the rudder stock. You might be lucky and find that the builders had allowed for an auxiliary tiller to be fitted in the event of problems with the wheel steering. In that event life should be easy! What will be required will all depend on what is presently at the top of rudder stock.  

[JennyMorgan]

More thoughts, here is a photo of a Kent fitted with a tiller. It suggests to me that the present linkage to the wheel steering is under the floor thus you will need to extend the present stock in order that it extends above the cockpit sole/floor. A spot of engineering for that. The fitting itself looks pretty much bog standard, Classic Marine at Woodbridge could probably supply. The tiller itself could be DIY depending on skill level. 

[JennyMorgan]

This particular Kent was advertised with BOTH wheel and tiller steering. Perhaps your boat is already suitably equipped, you just need to do some exploring in the bilges under and around the back end of the cockpit.

https://www.topsail.co.uk/boat.php?refnum=2164#images

[Kentheshirt]

21 hours ago, JennyMorgan said:

This particular Kent was advertised with BOTH wheel and tiller steering. Perhaps your boat is already suitably equipped, you just need to do some exploring in the bilges under and around the back end of the cockpit.

https://www.topsail.co.uk/boat.php?refnum=2164#images

thanks very much, does not seem quite so daunting now, thanks again.

[JennyMorgan]

Perhaps some photos of what you find might help me/us advise you further. Is your boat on the Broads?

[Kentheshirt]

22 hours ago, JennyMorgan said:

Are you thinking DIY? If you are then I'd start by looking at the head of the rudder stock. You might be lucky and find that the builders had allowed for an auxiliary tiller to be fitted in the event of problems with the wheel steering. In that event life should be easy! What will be required will all depend on what is presently at the top of rudder stock.  

DIY....from memory i did have a quick look, its a round shaft with a square at the top, when i can get to it will have a proper look, many thanks for your advice, ken.

 

[Kentheshirt]

3 minutes ago, JennyMorgan said:

Perhaps some photos of what you find might help me/us advise you further. Is your boat on the Broads?

Yes it is on the broads, will get photos asap, thanks.

[JennyMorgan]

Anywhere near Oulton Broad? 

[JennyMorgan]

9 minutes ago, Kentheshirt said:

DIY....from memory i did have a quick look, its a round shaft with a square at the top,

That's promising! 

[Kentheshirt]

3 minutes ago, JennyMorgan said:

Anywhere near Oulton Broad? 

At the moment it is out of the water at Stalam ??..but hoping to get a mooring on the southern broads as my son has a boat near cantly.

[JennyMorgan]

Back in time a Jimmy Hoseason of Hoseasons fame had a 'Kent' that he called 'Mardler', if I remember correctly. It sailed well enough although exciting it was not! It was a good family boat and much enjoyed. 

I note that Eastwood Whelpton at Upton have one or two Kents in their hire fleet, perhaps they could help or just advise you.

[stumpy]

1 hour ago, JennyMorgan said:

 

I note that Eastwood Whelpton at Upton have one or two Kents in their hire fleet, perhaps they could help or just advise you.

We often had Hurricane from EW as the masochist part of our 'lads' week (average age 70ish) she was definitely tiller steered. 

[Kentheshirt]

9 hours ago, JennyMorgan said:

Back in time a Jimmy Hoseason of Hoseasons fame had a 'Kent' that he called 'Mardler', if I remember correctly. It sailed well enough although exciting it was not! It was a good family boat and much enjoyed. 

I note that Eastwood Whelpton at Upton have one or two Kents in their hire fleet, perhaps they could help or just advise you.

Thanks again, will give them a call

[Kentheshirt]

On 26/01/2021 at 20:10, Kentheshirt said:

Thanks again, will give them a call

hi, again, I appreciate it has been a while since I last ask about this, but now have more

                information, I have now cut a hole and exposed the rudder shaft which is 7/8 inch square.

                my problem now is how do I connect the square shaft to round, can locate a bearing for whatever size shaft

               I use. 

               Many thanks