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You can also shorten the tiller itself a bit (check the rules for min length) Gives a touch more clearance and you ca get a tad further aft downwind when its blowing. Tried it with a repaired tiller and it works.
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21/12/2018 17:19:00
Gareth
Posts: 170
Thanks Jonathan. I’ve just read your comment. I’ll have to ask Santa for some tape! Agree about the tacking experience.
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11/12/2018 14:47:00
Posts: 0
Hi Robert,
I measured my cut down Aluminium extension:-
From the end of the Foam grip to over & including the boss on the UJ is 107 cm.
I can confirm that this clears the mainsheet falls; and adds a new dimension to tacking & gybing the Aero.
And as Peter recommends adding tape down the bare aluminium also does wonders for improved grip & control. I went to a cycle shop and bought handlebar tape; it's good.
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20/01/2018 17:30:00
Jonathan Rickels
Posts: 104
Thanks Peter. In the end I phoned up and asked for a carbon one to be measured and the answer was 106 cm to the end of the tube with the proviso that the foam end was slightly rounded. I think we’ve cracked it - I’ll be cutting shortly. Grateful for your help 🙂.
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17/01/2018 14:51:00
Posts: 0
Hi Robert,
I suggest you cut 40mm off. That will be about right and you won't have gone too far!
I recall my measurement of 107cm was just the carbon extension, not any of the UJ.
I notice RS are describing their carbon extensions as being 105cm.
The difference between 105/107cm is not going to matter. If it was say 50mm or more shorter than what I measured as 107cm then I think it would start to be limiting when hiking at the front of the cockpit.
The important thing to help avoid catching the falls of the mainsheet in tacks is to reduce extensions that might be about 110/112cm down to 105/107cm.
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17/01/2018 10:20:00
Peter Barton
Posts: 4678
I’m just changing my UJ and have decided to trim a bit off my standard tiller extension. I’m a bit confused about the lengths quoted previously as 112 cm measures from the end of the foam grip to just past the rubber 1cm collar on the UJ itself (not the heat shrink). The measurement to the end of the aluminium tube is 110.6 cm. Would I be right to cut the tube at 105.6 cm and allow the new UJ to make up the extra 1.4 cm to make 107 cm?
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16/01/2018 18:04:00
Posts: 0
Very professional video (from Annapolis Performance Sailing).
I'd change one thing. Throw away the pin. Use a short screw instead, straight into the rubber of the UJ. No need to drill.
That way, next time you need to replace the UJ you can do it in the boat park with a screwdriver.
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21/09/2017 18:59:00
NickN
Posts: 5
This APS video shows how to change out the universal rubber joint. I was going follow those instructions and add a step where I chop off the end and re-drill the hole. Any opinions?
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21/09/2017 03:20:00
Megan_5280
Posts: 24
hello... how did you all get the foam hand grip off? I tried pulling at it, but seems to be secured at the butt end. maybe a bolt?
Ben
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21/09/2017 01:12:00
skinnydoc
Posts: 13
Jonathan,
I suggest 107cm is about right, which is what the carbon ones are supplied as.
Any longer starts to catch the mainsheet falls too easily, thereby effecting your steering overly in tacks.
Any shorter will start to effect your two handed playing of the mainsheet when hiking from the front of the cockpit.
I don't see this as being dependent on size of sailor.
There is another bimble the aluminium extensions benefit from;
The shafts can be slippery with no matted 'non slip' or 'ribbing' on them.
Simply wrap some tape around them in a couple of places so your hand can not slip on the shaft.
Without this I collided into the original Aero #1001 last winter and Karlos dropped his rounding a mark in Tallinn last weekend.
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16/09/2017 13:29:00
Peter Barton
Posts: 4678
Peter, I have the aluminium extension and had also noticed it can sometimes catch in the mainsheet falls.
It has been in my mind to shorten, but by how much?
It's that old adage:'
a short rope is no use to anyone, but long tails catch anything'!
Thank's for the info!!
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16/09/2017 11:23:00
Jonathan Rickels
Posts: 104
12/09/2017 19:14:00
Megan_5280
Posts: 24
Hi Megan,
Standard aluminium extensions have been supplied at 112cm and carbon 'upgrade' extensions are 107cm.
I think 112cm is too long and 107cm is about right, in order to avoid the falls of the mainsheet easily when tacking.
I suggest that you cut it to 107cm first and see how you go. Any shorter than that and it will start to effect your two handed playing of the mainsheet when hiking from the front of the cockpit.
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10/09/2017 17:40:00
Peter Barton
Posts: 4678
Has anyone cut the tiller extension? I want to trim about 12 cm; for those of you who are using a telescopic extension, what length have you settled on? Maybe that'll be the right length for mine. Any issues with chopping down the aluminum extension? I have a drill press to redrill the hole to reattach it.
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09/09/2017 18:38:00
Megan_5280
Posts: 24
