Length of tiller and tiller extension

I want to shorten my tiller extension so that it ends just before mainsheet block.
Do I need to shorten the tiller as well? I have noticed that most of the lasers at the club that the tiller extension and tiller are of equal length.

Re: Lenghth of tiller and tiller extension

For easy reference my tiller goes to the edge of the cockpit and the extention goes to the block.

Tiller is a stock acme black diamond and the extention is a fatso
Jr cut down to 46 inches. Alot of people say 48 inch for the extention. I just could not get it through the sheet In a tack nicely.

Re: Lenghth of tiller and tiller extension

softshuffle said:

I want to shorten my tiller extension so that it ends just before mainsheet block.
Do I need to shorten the tiller as well? I have noticed that most of the lasers at the club that the tiller extension and tiller are of equal length.

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Are you sure. I have no idea how long you have been sailing Lasers but when I got mine I wanted to shorten the tiller extension but waited (as once shortened, lengthening it is expensive !!). It was not long before I suddenly realised I had got used to it and I'm now glad I did not shorten it.

Not saying don't but just that if you are new (or returning to) Laser sailing give it a decent time as you may get used to it and it can then be much better.

Ian

Re: Lenghth of tiller and tiller extension

I wouldn't use anything under 48 inches, and I'm only 5'10. I know a lot of guys that use 52", or buy 52" and trim it to suit their needs.

Re: Lenghth of tiller and tiller extension

Thanks for the response guys..........

I am very much in the same situation as Beaker.....
I battle to get the tiller past the mainsheet .
My tiller and tiller extension is a homemade jobie..the extension is made of wood and the extension aluminium. With the exchange rate in South Africa of approx. 7 rands to 1 dollar buying very expensive......

i got the 1st edition of the carbon tillers which i think is good and have no problem with it! and the standard laser tiller extension, i have left them at supplied length as i think its perfect!!! especially as its nice and long for light winds!!!

sailingmania said:

i got the 1st edition of the carbon tillers which i think is good and have no problem with it! and the standard laser tiller extension, i have left them at supplied length as i think its perfect!!! especially as its nice and long for light winds!!!

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My first thought is a long extension would be useful for a tall person hiked out in a strong breeze. But I guess it is also useful when you have to sit way forward in light air.

im 16 aand 6ft 2in sail a radial mainly but sometimes a full rig and find the tiller ectension perfect!!! good one laser!!!

When i first saw the long carbon tillers I was shocked and thought I could never get used to making sure that got through.

Now with a little modification to my technique I would not be without it!

I find that anything shorter then the extension I have would be too short for me to get forward in light winds.

I would work on youe technique, then if you really do not get on with it after trying you should cut it down.

I'm cautious about shorting tillers and/or extensions. If you're going to shorten them do it an centimetre or two at a time. With more experience on a laser, the more comfortable you'll become with the longer extension.

The longer you keep the tiller, the longer the extension you can tack with, as when you tack the end of the tiller is further outboard and this permits you to push a longer extension through.

I've measured my partner's tiller and extension and they are 102cm and 117cm respectively. Off the top of my head mine are 105cm and 120cm respectively. She's 5'6" tall and I'm 6'2".

Personal preference aside, I don't know how you get by at 6'2 with a 47" tiller extension.

I am with the long extension people on this, I have never had a problem with the long extension (aluminum, 48" i think) and have found the length useful in comparison to the extensions supplied on charters, which I think are 45 or 46. The extra three inches really does always help...

if yours does catch on the mainsheet you might want to look at your tacks before you think about changing the length of a relatively expensive extension.

Shatty007 said:

Personal preference aside, I don't know how you get by at 6'2 with a 47" tiller extension.

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It's not just the length of the tiller extension that counts. You need to look at the length of the tiller itself (not including any length in front of the universal).