tiller scratching deck

[frankbarbehenn]

I have two sunfish, one a 1996, the other AMF Alcort 1976. The tiller for the Alcort seats on the rudder in a way that causes the tiller to rest on the deck and scratches the deck as you move it back and forth. The 1996 one does not do that except when the rudder is raised. Both decks are getting scratched. Any advice as to why this is happening to the Alcort especially and what to do about it. Seems that the tiller is simply not seated high enough on the rudder.

 

[Alan Glos]

There is an easy fix. If the tiller on the older Alcort boat is on the deck when the rudder blade is in the down position, simply glue a wood shim under the tiller handle where it attaches to the rudder blade. This will keep the tiller off the deck and eliminate the scratching.

Alan Glos
Cazenovia, NY

 

[odegaard]

if you don't want to raise the tiller, via shims, etc. consider putting an old tennis ball on the tiller. Just cut the ball and slide on. It will drag on the deck but will not grove it.