I use the string, but, curses man, no tape! Try a tasty french whip instead!

http://www.marinews.com/French-Whipping-532.php

I'm scared to click on that link... is it SFW? Or is it as BDSM as it sounds?

Rolling half-hitches. I tried it a long time ago, but always pulled it off the end of the tiller.

What I did on my old H-16 stick back it the 80's worked real well. NOW it took at while to do it though. I used some braided white twine and did loops over the stick. It made a slow spiral around the stick. It was real easy to hold and lasted till I sold the boat. I KNOW it is old school, but it worked.

Doug

Whatever you do, if you do some type of spiral string wrap, DON'T epoxy the string. It makes a very effective rasp that will carve into gel coat with ease. Don't ask me how I know.

So in other words, rolling half-hitches.

I have used everything from a shovel handle to PVC to get out on the water. My favorite is the extendable fiberglass that twist down. They are a little fatter and never corroded and as mentioned before, there should be little effort to steer unless a released rudder has happened. Plus they are electrically isolating. A subject us Florida sailors never tire of discussing.

Good gloves go a long way by themselves especially when wet.

Bingo got to love the insulation from the FL squalls

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.

I have used everything from shovel handles to PVC to get out on the water. I find two things that help me grip smooth surfaces, good gloves and diameter of shaft.

There is a fiberglass twist lock adjustable that is designed to use as a paint roller extension. The push button roller extensions are trash. The twist lock is a little thicker than most tillers and gloves grab it well. Plus it will not corrode and is non conducting.... something Florida sailors are always concerned about.

As was mentioned before, if the rudders and mast rake are set correctly, it is almost like power steering. Unless a rudder pops up and becomes a lever, there should be easy grip enough to hold it in your teeth for the most part.

It is the fine point of weather helm seeking to turn you up wind or raked where the cat will leave you stranded and sail on if you fall off. Since I do not race, getting worried about advantages of weather helmed set ups vs ease of operation tends to lead to the more comfortable choice.

Tequila cork. They are free at most bars, keep the tiller from sliding out of your hand.

MY old Hobie 16 was so tweaked I could hold it with 2 fingers. Was REAL nice back in the days of ACABCAC course 7 days LOL

Doug