Tiller or 'cockpit' set-up.

[jwatson]

Had my quicksilver 3.8 for a week now and used it once with the cockpit steering & throttle set up. Initially I was just after a simple tiller set up for that exact reason. The boat will live on a trailer soon so set-up isn't an issue. I just felt like I was sat very high on the bench seat and it seems to be damaging the mounts. my question is how do people who have used both set ups find that it affects the boat handling? Are there any advantages to either apart from deck space. Weight is obviously distributed differently, does this affect performance in waves? I was on a river you see! Cheers

[seasdes]

I have recently replaced my bench seat with a heavy duty esky that is strapped in. Did this to save a bit of space in my 3.8 as it also doubles as a fish box.

[prairie tuber]

Originally Posted by seasdes

I have recently replaced my bench seat with a heavy duty esky that is strapped in. Did this to save a bit of space in my 3.8 as it also doubles as a fish box.

I'm guessing that an esky is a cooler. I've done similar with a heavy duty polyethylene storage box to which I've bolted a couple of plastic folding stadium seats on the lid - works very well for kids / light passengers.

As to the original question, for my applications (and I would guess for most SIBers), tiller control is more practical. If the SIB were a large commercial style such as a Zodiac Mark V or VI (+ 5.8m) with a largish outboard (80hp or so), I would consider a console, anything smaller, a tiller.

The tiller takes up far less space, allows one handed operation, provides direct steering and much more precise throttle control.

[jwatson]

Cheers. It's not really a console, I'm not sure what the arrangement is called to be honest!.... It's like this... annoyingly a tiller for my engine sold for £40 on eBay at weekend!!

[kaman]

My preference for your set up would be a tiller.
Just for the space saving element. I use a heavy duty fishing box which straps onto the floor. I operate the tiller sitting on it.
It has masssive storage compartments for fishing gear and tools etc.
I've added an air flow cushion on top - much comfier than sat on the tubes.
Couple this with the seat bag and bow box the sib has tonnes of storage space as well as a reasonable amount of deck space.
Suits my fishing and overnight camping trips.



Prairie Tuber has someone dipped their hands in paint and walked them all over you Sib????
My eyesight ain't what it used to be!

[Peter_C]

Since my boats purpose is for scuba diving, most of the floor space is required for dive gear. So for me a tiller is a requirement.

Originally Posted by jwatson

annoyingly a tiller for my engine sold for £40 on eBay at weekend!!

"If you are not using an Auto Bidder you are bidding against yourself". In other words only EVER bid in the last 4 seconds, and decide what you are willing to pay in advance. It keeps you from getting caught up in the moment and overpaying. You win some and you lose some. Many won auctions are smoking good deals! I buy a ton of stuff from Ebay, and anything that is not a "Buy It Now" is run through an Auto Bidder.

[slate1234]

here is my esky it a seat attached (got the esky wile working in sydney)

[slate1234]

oh yes here is the pic lol

[jwatson]

Yeah I'm good on eBay peter, was awaiting an answer from the seller. Which he provided after the auction end. Idiot.

[prairie tuber]

Originally Posted by kaman

Prairie Tuber has someone dipped their hands in paint and walked them all over you Sib????
My eyesight ain't what it used to be!

Long story, all cleaned up now, LOL.

[jwatson]

So I think I'm going to keep the set- up for now just because it seems too good to sell. I am however looking to reinforce the bench seat. I'm thinking of something to support it off the Ali floor rather than swinging on the already damaged straps. has anyone done anything similar? I'm thinking just a simple plywood board to keep weight down but if anyone has any clever ideas I'm all ears!!!

[jyasaki]

Have an aluminum box made up that sits snugly under the seat? Gives you a bit of captive storage as well.

jky

[jwatson]

I was thinking of incorporating some storage as at present it's all in bags lying around! will probably make a mock-up from ply to see how it works & put some catches on it so the wooden bench seat is effectively the lid and also holds it in place.

[prairie tuber]

Do you have a series of anchor points running along the sides of your floor boards? If not, it's easy to add them with some 3/4" or 1" nylon webbing, bolted down with some bolts, countersunk washers, fender washers (bolt head on bottom of boards) & lock nuts (all of aluminum if for aluminum floorboards).

Pro-Bolt Countersunk Bolts and Washers

[jwatson]

Someone's making a tidy profit on those!!

[prairie tuber]

Yeah, I'm sure they could be found way cheaper elsewhere. I just used the link to illustrate that those bolts & washers are available in aluminum

[jwatson]

Ok I see what you mean now. Could they not be pop riveted to the floor?

[prairie tuber]

Originally Posted by jwatson

Ok I see what you mean now. Could they not be pop riveted to the floor?

I suppose, if you had long enough rivets and aluminum fender washers that fit the rivet diameter. What is the thickness of your floorboards?

Edit: These are the longest aluminum rivets I could find in a 1/4" diameter on the Fastenal website - I'm sure they'd be too short for most floorboards.


Blind Rivets | Fastenal

[jwatson]

I went out at the weekend and the driving position really gives me a bad back! The tiller is becoming all the more appealing although i would lose the benefit of forward weight

[kaman]

Use a tiller extension and sit further forward thus keeping your body weight centralised.