Emergency Tiller for 28' TE

[ggodley]

My boat surveyorsuggested an emergency tiller for my 2004 28' TE .... any one made one, used one, have one?

Esperanze
2004 28' TE Flushdeck

[jcollins]

Never heard of one. This is new to me. I guess "emergency tiller" explains what it is and I don't mean to sound dumb but I have not heard of anyone needing one.
Are you planning a long trip?

[Carl]

Are you talking about a tiller outboard motor in case your yanmar fails?

[jcollins]

Do you mean a kicker? That would be good for trolling.

Esperanze - Nice name. I couldn't find a definition for it. What does it mean?

[furball]

My surveyor said the same thing. Because there is an accessable rudder post, a tiller lever could be attached to provide rudder control if the steering failed. At least that was my understanding.
John

[jcollins]

Now I get it. Thanks!

[halfmoon]

Every sailboat I have owned which had wheel steering also had an emergency tiller tucked away in a compartment somewhere. I suspect the surveyor inspects many sailboats.
Alexander

[Mariner]

Your surveyor was right to suggest it, but it's something that is not commonly found on modern production boats. Mainly, because modern hydraulic steering systems rarely fail.

[Yearwood]

Furthermore, you have a thruster. Suggest a new surveyor.

[furball]

I have never had a failure in the steering system. Will prop wash keep the rudder in a fairly fixed, straight position or do they tend to go hard over and just keep you in a turn? If you could use prop wash to keep the rudder straight, you could potentially steer with prop walk and thruster. If you can't keep the rudder straight, all done. Anyone had it happen?
John

[RicM]

I have never heard of the steering system failing all at once on an Albin. The Teleflex hydraulic systems are extremely reliable and seem to fail over time when they do breakdown, rather than catastrophically all at once. The rudder post is fairly accessible on the TE series, and you could probably jury rig a tiller with 2 locking pliers and a crowbar. If you are REALLY worried about it, any machine shop could fabricate a lever that would fit over the rudder post to steer with.
Myself, I pay Tow US for unlimited towing (about $150/year). Provides a great deal of peace of mind for short dollars.

[ggodley]

All helpful responses. Yes, I mean an emergency tiller, in case the hydraulic steering does fail. Yes he does inspect many sailboats. And since the rudder post is (somewhat) accessable and the rear hatch can be pheld up, he did suggest fabricating one. But, I received the answer to my question of ... has anyone ever heard or used or possed an emergency tiller for the TE and the answer is a clear "no" ... if I have one fabricated, I will post.

[Mariner]

Furthermore, you have a thruster. Suggest a new surveyor.

If the rudder fails in a turned position, the thruster won't help you.

[RicM]

While I suppose just about anything is possible, but if the steering crapped out couldn't you open the rear hatch (on a TE) and just move the rudder into the straight ahead position manually? Hit it with a hammer? Shoe etc? Then use the thruster to point you where you want to go?

[Mariner]

I suppose it all depends on how it fails. The most likely failure would probably be a hydraulic leak, in which case you could probably manually move it with relative ease, once you disconnected the ram.