I found the forespar tiller extension w/box that came on a former boat cumbersome and inadequate for at least the reason Connie states and more (who really needs another hole in the boat?). The tiller tamer (Davis?) works better in my mind because there's some flexibility built into the system. A tamer came with the M17 we bought and I find I keep it connected and loosely tensioned sometimes just to put a little friction into the steering.
In all, I prefer the bungee loop and line approach because it's cheap and simple, but the tamer on the 17 works okay so I use it. � Tom Smith and Jane Van Winkle M15--345 �Chukar M17--064� Unnamed -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Friday, May 28, 2004 2:45 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: M_Boats: Learning Curve Hi George, I too have a Forespar Tiller Extension and the lock box in the side wall of the cockpit. I thought it would be ideal for holding course when single handing: which it does very nicely..........and for holding the tiller in a fixed position when at the marina dock. This latter use was a total failure. The wash of outboard powered water ski boats; and PWC put such a strain on the rudder / tiller that it split the tiller allowing the screws holding the small Forespar fitting in the tiller to fall out - and the Forespar Tiller Extension was just hanging in the breeze the next time I got to the boat. Apparently waves roll the boat so severely that something has to give in the rigid Forespar / tiller / rudder system, and the weakest link was the Forespar tiller fitting itself - held in placed with two small 1/2 inch screws...... So, back to the drawing board. Now I just use the Forespar Tiller Extension as an autopilot when raising or lowering sail, or to go below to get a sweater or a beer. At the dock, I now fasten the tiller with bungee cords. They can move; but they keep the tiller / rudder from moving too much. Connie M15 #400 LEPPO _______________________________________________ http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats This message was scanned for viruses!! _______________________________________________ http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats
