Auxiliary steering kit

[mudskipper]

Good morning, happy winter folks. My Albin 40 came with a 3 piece auxiliary tiller. I Have a lovely teak handle, and two flanged and shaped pipes about 4 feet long. Has anyone out there got this feature? I Am not sure if I did lose hydro steering weather I would just hunker down and use my towing insurance,or leap into action,stripping my mattress pulling up the false bottom to the gear underneath and hook this gizmo up? I Think you would need at least three people to operate this rig. One to drive the boat,one signal person, and an operator/ordinary seaman to work the tiller in the stern. Space is precious thing on a boat. At this time the kit is home in my basement. Should I varnish tiller and put it over my mantle or put Bach on the boat? Nice malaprop there curtesy I pad. Is this just a joke like the hand bilge pump under the step? Send help. Jay

[jleonard]

I have one of those also. It is stored under the aft head so it really doesn't take any space.
I think 2 people could operate it as the person holding the tiller can easily see the helmsman.
Not sure how difficult it would be to set up or operate. You could probably lash it to the side rails to keep the rudder straight though. I think that would be my plan.
I have a hydraulic stern thruster that I could use to change direction.
Jay

[Nepidae]

Ours is stored aft under the SR queen on a rack by the water tanks.
I can't imagine using it, at least from the sundeck as there is a plate that would need to be removed first, very time consuming.
It would probably be better to rip up the mattress pull off the water tank covers and use it from the SR.
Could get direction from someone at the helm either by cell or headsets.
Twin engines would help with steering.
If it wasn't tucked away there I'd probably take it home as well.

[mike66]

I think the deal is if you're out of range of towing services and single screw, a way to get somewhere would be very helpful. Twin screw... no need. If you're never in that situation then it's just excess stuff. Your choice. I'll keep mine for the little extra security it gives me if the steering hydraulics fail. Better than nothing, although my first instinct would be to drop the hook and call Seatow.