I've been told that the tiller crossbar connections on a viper need to be modified to work with a telescopic extension (the connection can't take the rotational force applied when you twist to lock an extendable tiller). Anyone know the details on what needs to be changed?

Really?

The ronstan connections or even the hobie type connections should work fine with that.

Now, you do have to put a different type connection from the tiller to the tiller crossbar.

LOL!!!!!

Take a leap and try the standard setup. After a few outings, you'll be comfortable with the simplicity and light feel of the fixed length stick. I too turned my nose up at the Ronstan Omniflex style fitting and loosing a telescopic stick when moving to an F16 but now I love it. Simple and light, just remember to lift up while rounding the marks or you'll be reminded to do a 360.

It is not a problem to use the standard set-up and an adjustable tiller. It is a matter of feel. The flex connectors used on a lot of the boats allow the cross bar to rotate when you are trying to lock or unlock the tiller. If you have an old setup that is not smooth, or you get sand in it, the twist is quite severe and "feels" bad. There is no positive stop and it feels week, but unless you have some serious helm issues there is enough to set the adjustment.

You can swap to an all pin setup which will take out the slop. Depending on the tiller set up on the boat this may require a new cross bar as the length may be an issue with how the 2 styles mount.

A lot of the Euro A class guys run this way and it works fine if you want.
I agree with Kris. I was not wanting to get rid of my old cork ball on the Arriba for a long time, but now use the light long pole and once I got used to it, I much prefer it over the adjustable.

Thanks for the replies. It must just be tiller to cross bar joint that would need to be changed. Obviously I'll try the stock setup and see if I can get used to it. In the past my crew objected to the fixed length extensions...

I am not the most graceful of skippers...

LOL...again!!! I wouldn't touch that one with a....

It's a shorter boat, so it will be harder to poke your crew because the stick is proportionately longer, the tip is almost always outside of the boat unless you are way forward. If you don't believe me, just ask Vic.

Yes, you would have to replace the fitting from the tiller to crossbar. I believe both the Viper and Falcon also use the "Omiflex" style fittings between the crossbar and rudder arms. So you may get some torque issues there also.



As the trap shooting pro said to me last weekend, "Degrees of Greatness"!

I identify with that, maybe I learned it from you using the tiller stick to leverage myselve back on board during the tack.

Shall we get into your gracefullness as a crew as well...I know, I know McLubing the tramp is bad idea.