Or, if you want a stock M15 tiller, give me a call. I'm buried in tillers. I just bought a J24 tiller for Storm Petrel, ala Doug Kelch. The extra 13" will be a treat. I'll mount the Forespar extension about 18" from the forward end, to align with the lockbox, as I don't expect to use it for normal sailing. The new tiller is a beautiful thing, laminated of contrasting ash and mahogany and arrived with 2 coats of varnish. My wife suggested we hang it on the wall as a piece of art. I asked a couple of friends what they thought it might cost, and had responses of $150 - 200 and up. But it was only $55 from Defender! I don't know how they can make it for that. West no longer stocks replacement tillers. But there's more! My brother lost his mind (seems to me) and is selling the old family cottage in the Finger Lakes. For you left coasters, that's in central/western New York state. After 107 years, there is mucho junk to be cleared out of the barn. The sailing items now stored in Pittsburgh include a 10' gaff and a couple of tillers. The gaff is surprisingly light and will, I hope, be an attractive ornament after being cleaned up and varnished. Then I can use the new tiller on Storm Petrel instead of hanging it on a wall! Both antique tillers are, within a fraction +/- the same length as an M15 tiller. Both are very heavy, probably oak or hickory. One is straight and the other nicely curved, with a carved ball at the forward end to prevent your hand slipping off. They need to be cleaned and varnished, but are very sound. My wife thinks they we should keep them in the bedroom, to deter unwanted nocturnal visitors. More wall ornaments? My ancestors (maternal great-grandfather built the cottage) built their own sail boats. Before the 1930's, where else would you get one? On a cottage shelf is a silver trophy he won dated 1896. The gaff and tillers are from their home built boats. As a kid, I remember an iceboat rotting away against a wall by the compost pile. So I'm overstocked with tillers. If anyone wants to make an offer for my nicely varnished stock mahogany M15 tiller, I promise to consider it. I can't part with it until I am sure the new tiller is workable. My otherwise crazy brother planed it down to fit in the rudder cheeks, but I haven't drilled and mounted it yet. Bill Riker M15 - #184 Storm Petrel -----Original Message----- From: montgomery_boats-bounces+wriker=mindspring.com@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:montgomery_boats-bounces+wriker=mindspring.com@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of bobjudy2@comcast.net Sent: Monday, August 23, 2004 12:03 AM To: montgomery montgomery boats Subject: M_Boats: M15 rudder and tiller Hi, All, As I mentioned in an earlier post, I had the good fortune to win a $100 gift certificate from IdaSailor Marine at the SCA Cruiser Challenge in Monterey. I checked out their web site at www.idasailor.com, then contacted Joel Santarone, their General Manager. Although it is not on their web site, he has the specs to make me a new tiller and hdpe rudder blade. My tiller is cracked and the blade rather beat up, so this is a good time to replace them. I have heard lots of good things about the hdpe blades and can't wait to try it. I would expect most companies to offer a standard tiller and blade, but I mentioned that by the way could I get a tiller 3" longer and with more of a curve to clear the passengers knees and maybe a blade that was 3" longer. Hey, no problem! Now that's what I call service! I have the rod kickup rudder system, which I find generally acceptable, and this will work with hdpe. I would be interested in hearing from anyone with the line raising/lowering system if it is better. The new blade will be set for the rod system. Until he finds out differently, Joel has to assume there may be slight variations in hole locations, so I will have to fit everything to my existing frame. Drilling my own holes is an arrangement I prefer in any case. I'll keep you posted on how the new rig works. If you are looking for a new tiller and or blade, email Joel and I bet he can come up with just what you want. Fair winds, Bob Becker M15 #208 San Francisco area _______________________________________________ http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats