wxup wrote:
I'm not familiar with the "tiller tamer". Can you give more detail about how it is installed and how it works?
Simple installation if you have the wings. You will need 4 tiny blocks or new ronstan "shocks" which is what I used because they are cheap. You will need about 40 feet of 1/8" line. Attach the blocks to the pillars of the wings. At least one of the attachments should be made with a little bungie--I actually used bungie on all four attachments. Tie one end of the line to the tiller just below the bar on one side, route the line to the opposite side block, then forward to the front block on that side, across the mid beam to the forward block opposite, back to the rear block and then to the opposite tiller. Pull the line and the rudders move. If the tension is adjusted correctly, there will be a little give to the line but you can steer with one hand.
Say you are sitting on the stbd ama...pull the line from the front and the rudder moves as if you were pushing the tiller; pull on the line from aft and the rudder moves as if you were bringing the tiller toward you. Takes a little getting used to AND if you have crew or family they have to be trained NOT to step on the line or you won't be able to steer. Getaway is cool that way, though, since the line is wrapped mostly out of the way.
If your boat is badly out of balance, this isn't a good system since sail forces might overcome your grip--but the Getaway is pretty well balanced and easy to steer this way. I used to use a similar system on my F24 before I got an autohelm.