What I ended up doing was using a piece of foam pipe insulation around the tiller and overwraping it with rigging tape. Now have a nice soft grip which does not slip. Also took the advise & messed with the rudder & mast rake. Got to try these adjustments this evening during our Friday night club races. Grip is much better & boat seemed a lot easier to helm. My little 5.2 was able to beat three F-31s,(not by much,but a win is still a win.) We use a staggered start time system. Thanks to all.