Tiller handle extension??

[Mark J.]

Hi to all, and a Happy New Year!
I have a question. This past summer I managed to get my 12' Feathercraft aluminum ob on the water. I think, based upon the seating layout, it is the Skippy. I have it paired with a '56 Johnson 10 HP which I put in order myself. All in all one of the best projects I've undertaken. I needed a boat that I could cartop when towing my camper, and a motor with good power that I could handle mounting/dismounting on shore. I went with the Wheel-A-Weigh wheels to wheel it from my Suburban to the shore. After using for several outings I have a typical "big guy" complaint: trim when loaded alone.
Yeah, it's a real "coon-hunter" when I'm in it myself. I even had one occasion when I motored to a campsite in the Adirondacks alone after a beach-launch and had to keep weaving right and left to keep a good visual ahead.
When loaded with 2 or 3 adults this thing planes and really moves for a small boat!
I did the obvious of moving the fuel tank ahead, along with anchor, but didn't try ballast. I had considered trying a tiller extension to allow me to sit on the center seat when alone, but I am aware of the geometry limitations when turning. But what about the stress on the almost-60 year-old metal castings on the engine? Is this a concern or should it be ok?
What do you think?

 

[roscoe]

Re: Tiller handle extension??

The motor doesn't know if it is your hand pushing on the tiller, or an extension handle.

I tried an extension handle for my kicker when trolling.
It worked about as well as can be expected, and allowed me to not be glued to the top of the splash well.

 

[CatTwentyTwo]

Re: Tiller handle extension??

I use one all the time with my 84 9.9 Johnson and 12' Gregor when I'm by myself. It works great.

 

[southkogs]

Re: Tiller handle extension??

Years ago we replaced a throttle grip on a late 50's Johnson 7.5, that allowed us to use a tiller extension right to the throttle grip. We had a 14' boat and with one person in, she'd trim a bit stern-low like you said. With the tiller extension, one guy could get right in the middle and the boat would plane out rather nicely.

The down-side: when you have to turn to the left or right, things can get a bit dicey. A lazy turn was rather easy, but a more dynamic turn where you really needed to get the tiller over required you to lean quite a bit. On occasion it made the boat feel a little rocky.

On the overall, we didn't use it that much ('cuz there was usually more than one on board) but it did work.

 

[Willyclay]

Re: Tiller handle extension??

The link below will get you to forum member kfa4303's thread describing his improvements to a tinney including his homemade PVC tiller extension handle. Checkout his "shifter extender" also. Good luck with yours!

http://forums.iboats.com/boat-resto...l-noodle-projects-ive-done-lately-528473.html

 

[kfa4303]

Re: Tiller handle extension??

Thanks for the shout out Willyclay. Yeah, I just use a piece of 1 1/4" thin-walled PVC and a couple pipe clamps to hold it in place. It works great only cost about $3 and I can pop it off in 5 seconds if need be. It also lets me stand, sit, or move my room around as needed which has improved my visibility and handling tremendously. Of course, they make fancy aluminum and carbon fiber versions, but PVC is more my style and budget. I've actually made all kinds of stuff for the boat out of PVC including a gear shift extender, grab bar and rod holders and the tiller extender. It's not the ideal material, but it holds up well in a marine environment and you can't beat the price.

 

[Willyclay]

Re: Tiller handle extension??

but PVC is more my style and budget.

I knew there was a reason why I like your threads!

 

[Mark J.]

Re: Tiller handle extension??

ok,thanks guys! I also found a Youtube vid of a younger guy who did the same w pvc. Did you say you picked up those clamps at auto parts store? will look into that as reg hose clamps would be a PITA to get on/off easily. I had same concerns about it being unwieldy, but if planing is the issue, we're talking higher speeds and I aint into throwing it hard over at full throttle anyhow! I'll try it and see what happens. Good ideas! Thanks or the help!! Only 4 more months!!!

 

[kfa4303]

Re: Tiller handle extension??

Hi Mark. Yeah, I just got the pipe clamps at an autostore. Pepboys, I think. They happened to come with little interchangeable colored, plastic tabs to use to tighten/loosen the clamp. I picked the blue tabs and used a bit of JB weld to stick them in place and Voila! I also like to use the thin-walled PVC for the extender because it's lighter. Although, I can't remember the last time I took the extender off. Once you have one, you'll wonder how/why you ever lived without them. The fancy carbon fiber/aluminum ones are semi-permanent and more or less meant to be left on at all times. Here are some pics and vids to give you and idea of them in use, just be sure to ALWAYS where your kill switch


Some examples of the fancy-schamncy models out there. They're made out of everything from aluminum to carbon fiber to high grade plastic. Nice, but pricey.



My PVC extender. Hopefully, you can see the pipe clamps a little better. Be sure you cut 3-4 slits into the tiller end of the extender to help it slip over the stock handle. You'll also want to drill a small hole at the end of each slit to prevent it from running.

Up and out of the way when not in use on the water.

Some pics/vids of tiller boats with extenders in action, including mine As you can see, a grab bar is nice and adds a bit of stability. Mine is made out of 1.5" thick walled PVC and works great, but they also come in aluminum, carbon fiber, etc...

Some more cool DIY extenders and grab bar set up for a Gheenoes, which is basically a hot-rod canoe made her in FL. They're like and aquatic skateboards!

Gheenoe test run Briggs and Statton 5hp - YouTube
6 HP 4 Stroke Gheenoe Highsider - YouTube


Professional tiller extenders and grab bars in action.

Gheenoe Forum Camping Trip - Anclote River - YouTube

Custom Gheenoe boats flying by - YouTube

Grey and White TiIler Caimen with Etec 60 - YouTube

Sea Foam Green Tiller Caimen - YouTube


Here's a vid of me running around at my local beach. You can kinda see me grab the extender at the beginning.

Wakulla Beach, FL movie.wmv - YouTube

 

[Willyclay]

Re: Tiller handle extension??

This past summer I managed to get my 12' Feathercraft aluminum ob on the water.

Spent a lot of time in a Feathercraft during my youth. Wish I had one now! Your model might measure 11ft.-5in. on the C/L and, if so, I believe it was only rated for 7.5HP MAX back in the day. Even if you have rebuilt the transom, please be careful. Stay safe!

EDIT: I read through your other threads and learned that you have another Feathercraft. I am very envious! The link below is fiberglassics.com and they have some specifications data for Feathercraft. The Skippy model does not appear until 1959. The C/L length increases in the 1960's and results in higher maximum HP ratings. Data for 1963 & 1964 is missing. Just trying to help.

http://www.fiberglassics.com/library/Feather_Craft

 

[Mark J.]

Re: Tiller handle extension??

Spent a lot of time in a Feathercraft during my youth. Wish I had one now! Your model might measure 11ft.-5in. on the C/L and, if so, I believe it was only rated for 7.5HP MAX back in the day. Even if you have rebuilt the transom, please be careful. Stay safe!

EDIT: I read through your other threads and learned that you have another Feathercraft. I am very envious! The link below is fiberglassics.com and they have some specifications data for Feathercraft. The Skippy model does not appear until 1959. The C/L length increases in the 1960's and results in higher maximum HP ratings. Data for 1963 & 1964 is missing. Just trying to help.

Feather Craft - Classic Boat Library

Willy,

Yeah! Got 2. The 12 footer I got last summer (for free-destined for scrapyard!) As near as I can tell based on the sales brochures I've found online its around 1967-1968 as the details (grab handles, seats, etc) seem to match that one and based on the year of the station wagon shown in the picture that's my best guess. The tag on the hull claims its good up to 20 hp! I'll bet it gets kinda hairy!! I decided to stay around 10 hp to keep the weight down.
My other one was my grandfathers that was left for me. Looks like I kinda fell into a collection! I have the Skippy hung from my garage ceiling for winter, but when it comes down I will get some pix put up here. Turned out pretty nice.(for a free boat!)

 

[Willyclay]

Re: Tiller handle extension??

Glad to hear you have the model-specific info on that great old boat. Us grandfathers just get a little concerned about you "youngsters" who want to go fast! Wish I had a classic Feathercraft for one of my grandchildren to restore and enjoy like you!