Tiller ext universal connector/joint

[mixmkr]

How often are you all replacing the little black rubber universal joint on the tiller extensions?
Seems they ought to last more than a couple seasons, even when protected from UV by a cover when not sailing. The person that invents a flexible rubber that doesnt break....of course when in use...ought to get an award.

 

[beldar boathead]

I think ai get about 5 or 6 seasons out of one. Some were (are?) available with a cord through the middle in case the rubber breaks.

 

[Wavedancer]

Definitely something to inspect regularly.

 

[LaLi]

Most of my extension joints over the years have been standard RWO ones, and their lifespan has varied quite a bit, from two to ten years or so.

Some were (are?) available with a cord through the middle in case the rubber breaks.

They are! For the time when the next one breaks (or threatens to), I have this thing by WinDesign waiting in my toolbox:

(And RWO makes these, too )

_

 

[Nicholson58]

I made my own. Use a stack of soft rubber washers and a stout line through. I Over wrapped the assembly with many turns of 1/8” line to compress the stack. Work the knot to zero slack, tighten and release. This will last years and can be rebuilt. I also made the extension clip from a thick polyethylene slab. Repurposed Home Depot tool.

 

[Sailflow]

Nicholson58 your setup is like the old-style with a bolt, nut and washers. You replaced the bolt with rope and the nylon washers with rubber. The universial works differently the base is screwed to the top of tiller the other end goes in the end of the tube extension. The universial allows for complete vertical motion as well as horizontal rotation. When you install a new rubber universial the extension is vertical until broken in.

 

[Nicholson58]

Nicholson58 your setup is like the old-style with a bolt, nut and washers. You replaced the bolt with rope and the nylon washers with rubber. The universial works differently the base is screwed to the top of tiller the other end goes in the end of the tube extension. The universial allows for complete vertical motion as well as horizontal rotation. When you install a new rubber universial the extension is vertical until broken in.

My solution allows total motion including vertical. Make sure the stack of rubber is tall enough.

 

[Pippins]

@Nicholson58, the vertical motion Sailflow is talking about is passing the extension directly over the tiller. In a standard racing tack most people (myself included) will flip the extension dead vertical and to the opposite side. In essence, the old top side of the extension becomes the new bottom side. And while the washers allow generous vertical displacement, they do not allow the action he was talking about.

 

[Nicholson58]

Make the stack right and it works easily and without backlash. Note the last picture, upside down, gravity only. The OP asked if anybody knew a solution. This works and has worked for me for 30 years on this Sunfish before I had to change the rope. Still, original rubber. Cost, less than a dollar. Home made retaining clip too, junk from the shop.

 

[Nicholson58]

If you want tru universal here is the joint on my Tornado attaching the 10 foot tiller to the cross bar. It was made in 1968