Tiller Extension handles

T

TConigliaro

Active member
I have a BBSB and want to start experimenting using an extension handle on the tiller.
(I run a 15 HP Evinrude on the BBSB displacement hull)

Any recommendations/feedback on brands and types would be appreciated.
Thanks
Tom
 
I have used homemade versions over the years, PVC pipe and electrical conduit pipe and copper pipe tho the cooper bent easy..

shermie..
 
Tom - I have a couple of suggestions. Last winter I did some fitting to improve the safety when running my 12 ' BBSB with an extender:

1. at the point where the extension meets the sleeve that grips the motor's handle - drill it out and thru bolt it together so it can't slip. I have a sleeve that tightens down on the motors tiller and that connection is solid but where the sleeve met the extension handle it had a weak pop up pin and I found that a thru bolt was much better.
2. If your extension is adjustable for length, pick a set length and thru bolt that as well.
3. remember to add a line to your quick disconnect and use it !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
4. If you stand to run the boat also have a bow line to hold.
5. add a wrist strap where you will hold the tiller extension.

I had a very close call last year - if you lost your grip on the tiller extension or if it becomes separated from the tiller while underway - the motor can snap hard over right or left and you can be treading water in a heartbeat.

Hope this helps.

sarge
 
I have used a piece of PVC slightly smaller than the handle. I cut four slits in the end that goes to the handle, size it and then wrap with Camo Duct tape. Comes on and off easily yet gives a tight enough grip on the handle. Only pain in the tail is having to sit to change gears. Wish I could figure an extended gear changer.

Also rig a safety rope or a chicken rail to hang on to when you are standing. Wear your PFD.

Merry Christmas,
Harry
 
"Wish I could figure an extended gear changer."
ON my shift lever there is a hole for cables, I took a stick and put a bolt through it. When shifting I use the stick.
 
I had exactly what you said here three years ago on Dec 6 and was thrown over board and spent four hours in 44 degree water until the tide carried onto a marsh island. It is only the fact I had a floatcoat and neoprem boots that saved me the air tem was 24 degrees that night and I was found by the coast guard helicopter the next morning. every muscle in my body was cramped from the cold. I will never use and extension handle while standing and never stand while running
my clothes weighed 48 pounds wet they told me at the hospital taking care of my hypotherima.......it was my first boating accident in 50 yrs of hunting so I totally agree with what you said and only hope others will be carefull .... Merry christmas John
 
I have a 55 Johnson Commercial... I have used a tiller extension for the last 3 years... It broke last year and got a new one... This year IT broke the tiller handle.. My mechanic said " I can't believe it did not break before"..... It puts way too much pressure on the plastic handle the turns inside the throttle... I will not use it again.. I am going to put in a side console or something... Thank God it broke in a place that was very accessible and not someplace deep in the marsh.... It sends shudders down my spine, the last and only time the extension broke was in a squall on the Nanticoke River when we just had to high tail it off the river because of the wind and sideways blowing snow and big whitecaps...If it was the tiller that snapped instead of the extension we could have lost our lives, it was that bad.. The last thing you want is no power in 30/40 mph winds... .. When the tiller broke I was in 15 to 20 mph blow... I was 2 miles from my friends house and he was there in 30 min...... John
 
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Thanks all for your great input and suggestions.
I'm going to scratch my head in the next few days.
Since I'm the "guy who can't bang a nail in straight",

I'll review these posts with my very handy friend ,Pennsville Mike,
and see if we can come up with something safe and durable.

I really appreciate the sharing of the tiller accidents because the last thing
any of us want is to be in the water!!!!

I honestly(and ashamedly )didn't thinkof what would happen if the handle snapped while underway.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all.
Tom
 
Thanks for sharing the safety insight, gentlemen. I appreciate it very much.

For what it's worth, I have a MinnKota brand tiller extension. I've used it 6-10 times and been happy with it.

NR
 
Hey Dick:
What kind of wrist strap are you talking about on the tiller extension? Curious as to how that would work.

David
 
Hi David -

What I did was to secure a loop of 5/16ths parachute cord ( green ) just behind the grip portion of the end of the tiller extension. The loop is large enough to allow my oversize glove to fit thru and then has a little slack so I can move my hand to grip the end of the tiller extension.

I used a 10 foot length of the same cord to make an extension of the kill switch that I tie around me before motoring any distance. The big thing that I have done is to slow down and take it easy. If the wind is up I need to stand to see immediately forward of the BBSB and also keep any spray from hitting my face.

I am going to try to come up with a better way to allow me to sit or kneel underway but the 12' BBSB kind of runs with the bow up.

The description of what happened to John is exactly what I narrowly escaped last year and I was not wearing a float coat or my life preserver for that matter. You can bet the preserver is on now with the kill switch in use and the rpms down to no more than necessary.

be safe

sarge
 
Andrew: Your tiller extension works great. I screwed up this year and accepted too many invitations to go hunting. I have not had the boat out all season. It will get some work in Jan for sure. I think I might be hunting tomorrow on their boat.
Thanks for the loop explantion. I understand a little better now.
 


I used a 10 foot length of the same cord to make an extension of the kill switch that I tie around me before motoring any distance. [/QUOTE]


Just wondering:
Do you tie it around your waist??
Do you have a a loop with a clip to secure it ?
thanks,
Tom
 
Tom,

Do you ever hunt the Delaware River? I live in Bryn Mawr and would like to hunt a little closer to home rather than running down to Delaware or Maryland where I work.

Also, have you posted photos of your box?

I'd like to see whatever you do for the tiller extension.

Here is my box grassed up at Marsh Creek. Lot's of fun, not many ducks.

P1010035-2.jpg


John
 
Yes..I used to live and actively hunt waterfowl in Delaware,NJ and MD.
Still hunt waterfowl in NJ....but not as much as past years.
I have hunted the Delaware River for 25 years and still do occasionally.

I hunt geese 20 minutes from my house.
Really banged them on Friday's opener and Saturday.

If you PM me your email address I'll send you pics of my box.
I have trouble resizing the pics for this forum.
 
Tom,
I have some pics of your BBSB. I've had up close and personal dealings with Tom's boat. Very nice rig. It's a 14' Don Warren Classic BBSB. All glass displacement hull with rear decoy racks and some custom, hinged blind doors for concealment as well as water deflection while under way. It has a basic spray shield made by Diane Svelling. Tom's boat is currently powered by a 15hp Johnson short shaft that has a throttle handle that has some "play" in it, which is one of the problems with adding a tiller handle extension. Tom's current tiller extension doesn't clamp on well enough to be trusted. I remember one time when I saw it seperate from the tiller handle while we were underway (scary stuff)! I like the PVC idea and think that we could fab up one pretty quick and cheap. Tom doesn't stand up while running his boat. He is a tall fella who probally feels safe in a seated position on the aft starboard gunnel. He has a well behaved Lab who stays put under the spray shield. Also, his fuel tank and anchors and misc gear is stowed under the front deck in the bow storage area so the weight distribution is pretty well taken care of. To me, Tom's BBSB has been a work in progress. Every now and then, we'll tinker with something. The latest improvement was the bungee rope woven thru the side boards and decoy racks. Next on the hit list is the tiller extension to get him a little more foreward while underway. Bring it back over Tom. We'll make up that tiller extension.

Here's a few that I have in my photo archives:


Tom and Pretzle on a Brant hunt in Ventnor, NJ
1107081410a.jpg

1107081647b.jpg



After the addition of the bungee rope
0927080845.jpg



Test run on Mannington Meadow
8-2-2.jpg

8-2-5.jpg



Jersey Girl making sure Pretzle would approve of the new blind doors
DSCN0469.jpg

 
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