Tiller Comb
This simple shop-made tiller comb drops in place in a few seconds and can be removed even quicker. The length of the comb and the fittings on its ends are determined by the boat it's built for.
Dave Dawson
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Rowing mirrors!
Great idea!
Robert
John Ernst……….Hot Dang…..Son of a Gun….And, the oft repeated…Why didn’t I think of that?…
Well done…
and Thank You…
Great ideas, all! For a “portable” metal vise I bolted one to a square bench hook, which has a lower lip that protrudes down into the wood vise on my workbench for those rare times I want to work metal. For portability, I installed a workbench wood vise on the side of a heavy duty, but low, sawhorse. It was for my 7-year-old grandson to use as a workbench but I borrow it for quick sawdust jobs outside. Like clamps, one can never have too many vises….
Thanks for the tips. Especially the rust removers. I have repaired an old saw week ago and this would be perfect help for that. So for next job I need to order these.
I was thinking about something similar for the tiller on my Jolle. Actually something more precise. Now I have only rope and cleat for the center position, which is actually not always “center” (wind, etc). I use that mainly when I’m rigging the sails, which results many times in huge curve not a straight course.
The vise and plank is always a good idea. I have one small wise on smaller plank for precise things, but not to be able to bring it out of my workshop, but not to fill my bench with many such things I do not need often. But it is probably time to mount one big old one from my grandfather on some big plank to utilize it outside, instead of letting it rest somewhere in the corner.
The tiller comb is nicely executed. I’ve had one on my Tancook, used on a Norwegian Lesatabåt, and on an 1890s sailing canoe. One was reviewed in SBM a month or two ago, and I look forward to installing it on my lugger.
The hoop mirror system solve a problem that many rowing craft have, namely how to fit mirror high enough to be useful. Typically some sort of strut is used but you have to engineer a mount. I have a set of rowlock sockets aft in my dory and I think I’ll try with a hoop of PVC that I use for its winter cover.
An update on the rowing mirrors: I eventually replaced the two computer station mirrors (which were indeed starting to corrode) with a marine-grade ski-tow mirror. Its a bit bigger than I like, but it should stand up much longer to the elements.
Hi Jim,
I like your hoop idea especially now as I age I find that my neck seems to resist turning very far. Also, your boat looks quite similar to one I own…a Shew and Burnham “Whitehall”… my dad had ours built by them in the mid ’70s. It rows like a dream.
Thanks,
Alan Dater
Putney, VT
All good, and images that can (and I hope do) get stuck in this head!
I know that some day I’ll use something here to make my world better.
Thanks!
Rob K.
I like the hoop idea. It would be good for holding the tarp for dinghy camping. It would definitely provide more room.