It’s Been a While – New Tiller Steer Project

It’s been a while since I’ve posted here.

For those who remember me from years back, I spent a long time in aluminium trailer boats before moving back into commercial vessels, ferries, landing craft and production focused shipyard work.

I just finished my first small boat design in a while and construction starts next week. It's a 4.8m aluminium tiller steer. The goal was to create a practical and easy to handle offshore fishing boat with lots of deck space and rugged construction.

I’ll post some progress photos as the build moves along.

It's good to be back in the small boat space.
Steve

 

Welcome back Steve!

We shall look forward to see the construction photos of your new project.

 

From the picture it seems like the tiller will hit the sides of the well on hard turns. Also, how to you reach the tiller and shifter? Do you have to stand up and reach over?

 

It's been designed fully in 3D. The tiller is in easy reach from the seated position, the splashwell width allows for the angle of the tiller in use and when tilted, and the seat is wide enough to allow people to sit where it's most comfortable for them.

 

Do you have a view from the top?

 

Nice design
Not sure what the vertical rectangular "box" is on the port side, (below the cleaning station) maybe there is one on STBD as well.
I would have taken the "tray" that is just behind it and ran it all the way to the raised deck, and with the bottom of the tray the same as the raised deck height. If you glued in
an outdoor carpet against the hull and the bottom of the tray, you would be able to keep a few fishing rods, gaff, etc out of the way.

If the tiller handle is tight to the transom, you could buy an extended shaft outboard

Gonzo: Merc/Yamaha have extended tiller arms with the shift built into the arm, ie no reaching back

 

I am looking at the with of the well. There seems to be interference and won't allow the tiller to rotate all the way. Also, even though when going straight the driver can access the tiller and shifter, at full turn he would have to turn around and face the stern to reach the tiller. Tiller steering boats normally have a seat with open space to allow for steering.

 

Tiller or rear console controls is good on these type of boats as the knees last longer down the blunt end underway. Does she have a mounting plate at the bow for a Minn Kota? They are more essential than lifejackets for contemporary fish stalkers.

 

It always eluded me why there weren't multiple tiller options for 15-50hp outboards. The aftermarket ones always seemed to be a bit of a cobble.

<edit> Well I'll be damned - Merc got the memo!
MERCURY INTRODUCES ADVANCED MID-TILLER KIT FOR FOURSTROKE 25/30HP EFI OUTBOARDS https://www.mercurymarine.com/us/en/about-us/news/mid-tiller-kit-launch

 

To answer a few questions,
The angle of the tiller means that it should clear the well in full turn. The operator will need to shuffle or stand to reach in a full turn, but over here that's ok, deck space is king. Gear selector and throttle are on the handle. You have however made me realize that I haven't allowed enough knuckle clearance on the storage pods for the hand on the throttle in a turn to stbd due to the offset angle of the tiller, so I will chop a couple of inches out of the corners to give a bit more room. Thanks.

Yes it has a troll motor mount on port bow.

The box on the side is to hide the fuel fill lines and provide storage. It's also sized for an off the shelf tackle drawer set which will be on the stbd side. It cant be on pt due to fuel fill needing to be on the same side as vehicle fill. There is also another bait board mount to stbd so it is simply moved over when fishing if they want to be stood next to the drawer, back to port to be out of vision when driving.

Construction is under way so will have some progress pics soon.

We are going to add a targa bar over the motor with rod holders and light mount.