ASK SAIL

AN OFF-CENTER TILLER

I recently had some work done on a 1988 Ericson 26. During the repairs, there was work done on the tiller in the cockpit. The rudder was dropped to the ground but not completely removed; approximately 6-8in of the rudder tube was showing as it sat on the ground. After the work was completed and I went to pick up the boat I noticed that the tiller was no longer in the center of the cockpit, but instead was roughly 1in to the right (from the stern). Of course, I brought this to the attention of the gentleman who did the work. He said it was impossible for it to be in the wrong position. He had fiberglassed over where the tiller had been positioned, and when he got ready to drill the holes to replace the tiller he went