Tiller - Horizontal or Veritcal laminate

[Dmksails]

I'm thinking of the tiller. All the ones I've seen that were laminated are done with horizontal strips. I'm thinking of going with a vertical laminate - the two outside pieces of mahogany the the center either of maple or purple heart. I'm also thinking of going to a full 1" width, with the area where it goes into the rudder trimmed down to 3/4.

I'm not worried about UV damage to the glue joints - would use a cover when not sailing. Also, my main sailboat's bowsprit was made with vertical strips of teak and holly. It lasted 30 years.

Is there something I'm missing about not going with horizontal laminates in the tiller?

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It is normal to laminate the tiller with a stack of horizontal strips because they can all be bent over a form to create the curved shape.
This means that the wood grain follows the curved shape of the tiller, maximizing the strength. (Plus, it looks cool.)
For your style, you will of course have to cut the the laminated blank to the correct shape.

Doug

[Hooky]

Hi Dave,
Due to the athwartship forces placed on the tiller and especially at the rudder insertion point I think a vertical laminate would be weaker than a horizontal laminate.
HOWEVER if the rudder slot for the tiller was made wider and the tiller made wider to fit through the rudder insertion slot then the strength would be much higher. If you went this way I would also consider beefing up the rudder cheek thickness around the tiller insertion area as a thicker tiller would reduce the rudder strength.
I hope this makes sense,
Cheers mate
Terry from down under

[Dmksails]

Thanks Guys! I've glued up a sample of walnut with purpleheart in the middle and I'm really liking the look. I'm going to look into making the slot wider and beefing up the rudder. Otherwise for I'll go with the traditional look. Thanks!