Which tiller extension arm?

[pedro916]

Doe's anyone have advice on a good safe tiller extension for an Honda bf 10, I have heard bad reports about some so any advice would be apprietiated.

[Andy B]

They are a God send, but also a thing of the Devil
What size boat do you have? I take it you are trying to sit forward to get on the plane.
If possible try to find a non telescopic one that's the right length.
The telescopic ones have a habit of coming loose when you least expect it!!!!

[pedro916]

My first one (Italian made!) broke with the plastic section at right angles, jamming the handle against the side tube and putting the boat into 360 degree spin with the engine at high revs.

Broken tiller extension

Make to avoid?

Luckily I was thrown onto the floor of the SIB, not overboard, at which point my killcord did its job and cut the engine.
PaulB had a similar experience, witnessed by Martin I believe.

On the much sturdier replacement I bought from Pacer Marine, I found as Andy B said that the friction grip was worse than useless, coming loose all the time, particularly since my gear change is on the tiller handle, with a resistance between forward - neutral - reverse. I tried gluing it at the desired extension but that came undone, so finally I fitted a couple of pop rivets and it's now fine.

[pedro916]

Its for a Honwave T32 mainly for when I'm out alone like you say to get on the plane but in a good position rather than sat on the tubes.

[pedro916]

Its for a Honwave T32 mainly for when I'm out alone like you say to get on the plane but in a good position rather than sat on the tubes.

I also find the best position when skippering solo on my T32 airfloor is sitting centrally on the seat, hence requiring the tiller extension. This steers well and gets on the plane no problem. I find it virtually impossible to steer straight when sitting on the side tube within reach of the tiller. Possibly because of my lardy weight, it seems to tilt the boat to one side so that it doesn't sit with the V of the hull properly in the water.

[Paul B]

As Roger so kindly reminded me, I had one of the tiller extensions just like Rogers and yes it failed just as I was crossing the wake of Martins sib at speed , causing the boat to turn hard around and around with me pinned to the bottom of the boat whilst it went around on one cone, hence I don’t tend to use extensions anymore,

I’m sure Martin will be along at some point to put his take on my incident

[DouglasW]

Hi Pedro great advice from all of the above. I use a cheap Plastimo one which I have cut to size. I have not had any problems with it.

Just remember if you are used to sitting on the port tube and operating the tiller/throttle with the right hand you will open the throttle by rolling it with your fingers leading the way.

If you fit an extension and sit on the thwart facing forward you will operate the tiller/throttle with the left hand and open the throttle with your thumb leading the way.

A friend on the Solway who had just bought an extension forgot this. He was trying to come alongside a friend’s yacht he tried to throttle back but ended up opening the throttle full and ramming the yacht so hard he fell out his boat.

Fortunately the only harm was his dented pride, but until you get used to it it is possible that in the heat of a moment you might open rather than close the throttle.

Douglas

[Martin]

As Roger so kindly reminded me, I had one of the tiller extensions just like Rogers and yes it failed just as I was crossing the wake of Martins sib at speed , causing the boat to turn hard around and around with me pinned to the bottom of the boat whilst it went around on one cone, hence I don’t tend to use extensions anymore,
I’m sure Martin will be along at some point to put his take on my incident

And there was me thinking you were doing a highly trained stunt manoeuvre

[PhilD]

Pete, you can always borrow Cpn Jack so you dont need a tiller extension.

[Redron]

Which begs the question...
Why is the one and only seat not positioned further back in the first place ? I’ve often wondered what effect sitting on the tubes would have on the steering, Roger seems to have answered that .
I am on the cusp of buying a t32 and will probably invest in the Coleman 36l coolbox for storage, and to sit on whilst ‘driving’. If I have done my research correctly, it should fit nicely between the tubes.
Any one else do this ?