Suggestion for Upgrading Tiller Extension?

TILLER EXTENSIONS

CST Tiller Extensions combine the properties and appearance of carbon fibres, aramid fibres and heat cured epoxy to produce what we think is the best tiller extension yet for dinghies like the 49er, laser... the list goes on.

We couldn't see the point of having a tiny tube with added padding - we've made ours 22mm untapered so it's easier to grip. Also the fibres aren't unidirectional -by orienting fibres off axis we've engineered a little bit of bend and improved the durability. The final layer is an open weave spiral helix in aramid (Kevlar) fibre which further improves damage tolerance and grip. It also aids to keep the extension in one piece even if the carbon fibres are broken. This could be the difference between a finish and a DNF...

Suitable for Optimist, Cadet. MJ, Sabot, Flying ant, Laser, Finn, 470, 420, NS14, I14, B14, 49er, Hobie, A-Class Cat, 18' Skiff, and more....



Construction: Carbon and Aramid fibres in heat cured epoxy matrix.

Production Method: Computer controlled filament winding.

The tiller extensions below are supplied with end cap and fitted polyurethane universal unless otherwise stated.

And my favorite, from CST.

http://www.cstcomposites.com/tiller_extensions.htm

Solid piece of aluminum works great. 1/2 aluminum tube is $4/foot, usually lasts a couple of seasons before its bent enought to need replacing.

Much lighter, cheaper, and the telescoping action works like a charm.

Wow, you can get an 8' stick of 3/4" .065 wall aluminum tubing for a little over $10 at McMaster Carr (plus shipping). I think this is the route I'm going...I can have eight of them for the price of a simple carbon one.

I agree that the aluminum stick makes the most practical sense Jake.

I also believe that you have the ability to make a really trick stick out of carbon in your own workshop.

11. TILLER ASSEMBLIES
11.1 The tiller extension may be either an extendable
or non-extendable design but shall be a single
tiller with one end connected to the crossbar in
the same location as the factory supplied tiller.
THE TILLER EXTENSION SHALL BE MADE
OF A NONELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVE MATERIAL
ON ALL NORTH AMERICAN REGION
BOATS. NONELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVE
TILLER EXTENSIONS ARE RECOMMENDED
ON ALL BOATS WORLDWIDE.

Not that it applies to anybody in this thread (except maybe Jack), but if you plan to race Hobies, electrical conducting tiller extensions are prohibited. No aluminum or carbon fiber allowed.

Mugrace what did they charge you to have that shipped (the CST one).I also looked at there,s and it is really popular on skiffs and catamarans in Australia(some of the guys were using them at the hobie 16 worlds)but the shipping costs were very high.

Alive,
The Ronstam extensions are nice but seems to not be very light.

The Marstöm extension looks nice and also costs plenty. The CST looks to be the smart choice, if it would not be the massive costs for shipping it all around the world.

I could see one Moth-guy building his own carbon tiller extension really light (and cheap), but probably don't have the time even if it would be fun. Waiting for reply from CST.

Questions: Always use telescopic? Wouldn't 2 meter fixed be enough (on a boat where skipper don't have to be in front of the front beam unless really extreme)?