Original Laser Tiller Extension Length? (Circa 1982)

mmiller

New Member
Hi Folks!

Does anyone know what the original Laser tiller extension length was, circa 1982?
It was aluminum with a round plastic knob on the end (no grip - just a stopper).

I want to cut down my new one as it's wayyyy too long for me and would like to know what the length was of my original one for reference :)

Thanks in advance!
 
If it easily clears the mainsheet during a tack, the tiller extension is probably too short.
 
For some reason 32"-36" comes to mind. But that was on the old wooden tiller, which was longer then today's tillers (old tiller use to protrude into the cockpit a few inches IIRC )

Good advice above on cutting it down, however, if you truly aren't racing competitively, aren't hiking with straight legs and leaning out, and/or sailing with two people, a tiller ext that is a few inches short of the mainsheet block could make your tacks/jibes easier
 
For some reason 32"-36" comes to mind. But that was on the old wooden tiller, which was longer then today's tillers (old tiller use to protrude into the cockpit a few inches IIRC )
Good advice above on cutting it down, however, if you truly aren't racing competitively, aren't hiking with straight legs and leaning out, and/or sailing with two people, a tiller ext that is a few inches short of the mainsheet block could make your tacks/jibes easier

That would make sense (32-36"). It was mated to the 'old' wooden tiller :) The problem was, that old wooden tiller would split near the universal so every few years I'd lop off a piece, re-attach the universal and over the years, it got shorter and shorter :)

Last year I replaced the tiller with a carbon fiber unit along with a new aluminum extension. My new extension was 47" and I took the boat out the other day for the first sail with the new gear and I found that thing interfering with everything. It was more than annoying. Mind you, I must have been using a much shorter version up to that point due to cutting down the wooden tiller and having lost my original tiller extension back in '85 (it's now at the bottom of a lake :)

I cut the 47" extension down to 42" and I guess I'll have to fine tune it by trial and error but your suggestion of it falling just behind the mainsheet block really strikes a chord - thay may well be where it originally sat. At 42" it's just about even with the front of the mainsheet block. I don't race (against Lasers but do against motorboats) and I try to sail in 30 knots+ wherever possible, so most of the things that fit for others don't often apply to me. All my rigging is much larger (stronger) then what most folks use and pretty much everything else is tuned for 'survival' sailing on the open ocean, so the first thing to go was the 'new' rubber joint for the tiller extension and the first thing to be installed was the 'old' stock stainless universal swivel (which never breaks). When I went out the other day I was really impressed with just how well rigged these things came from the factory - even back in '82 and I realized I'd have to do some 're-engineering' to bring the new goodies back up to survival specs :)

One thing I did realize the other day, I hate clutter and I hate interference when I'm sailing. Either one of those two things and I start to get mad :) If there's any interference when tacking/gibing or anything gets hung up I'm dead meat (so to speak). It's hard enough to tack without going in the drink under the best of circumstances without any additional help from my rigging :)
 
That would make sense (32-36"). It was mated to the 'old' wooden tiller :) The problem was, that old wooden tiller would split near the universal so every few years I'd lop off a piece, re-attach the universal and over the years, it got shorter and shorter :)

Last year I replaced the tiller with a carbon fiber unit along with a new aluminum extension. My new extension was 47" and I took the boat out the other day for the first sail with the new gear and I found that thing interfering with everything. It was more than annoying. Mind you, I must have been using a much shorter version up to that point due to cutting down the wooden tiller and having lost my original tiller extension back in '85 (it's now at the bottom of a lake :)

I cut the 47" extension down to 42" and I guess I'll have to fine tune it by trial and error but your suggestion of it falling just behind the mainsheet block really strikes a chord - thay may well be where it originally sat. At 42" it's just about even with the front of the mainsheet block. I don't race (against Lasers but do against motorboats) and I try to sail in 30 knots+ wherever possible, so most of the things that fit for others don't often apply to me. All my rigging is much larger (stronger) then what most folks use and pretty much everything else is tuned for 'survival' sailing on the open ocean, so the first thing to go was the 'new' rubber joint for the tiller extension and the first thing to be installed was the 'old' stock stainless universal swivel (which never breaks). When I went out the other day I was really impressed with just how well rigged these things came from the factory - even back in '82 and I realized I'd have to do some 're-engineering' to bring the new goodies back up to survival specs :)

One thing I did realize the other day, I hate clutter and I hate interference when I'm sailing. Either one of those two things and I start to get mad :) If there's any interference when tacking/gibing or anything gets hung up I'm dead meat (so to speak). It's hard enough to tack without going in the drink under the best of circumstances without any additional help from my rigging :)


Just measured our old extension, circa 1985, at 40.5". Mind you we have another, probably older at 38", and yet another definitely from and older yet boat but adapted at 31'. Seems to be your choice.
 
Just measured our old extension, circa 1985, at 40.5". Mind you we have another, probably older at 38", and yet another definitely from and older yet boat but adapted at 31'. Seems to be your choice.

Thanks guys - much appreciated!
 

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