Rudder and Tiller Heads

Rudder and Tiller Heads
What is Commonly referred to as a Rudder Head Assembly is actually comprised of two pieces, the Rudder Head and the Tiller Head. The Rudder Head is the hardware that attaches to the top of the Rudder Shaft or, on smaller boats, directly to the Rudder itself. The Tiller Head or Tiller Straps are the hardware that attaches directly to the Tiller and allows for connection to the Rudder Head. We also stock a number of items not listed here, and can fabricate Custom items as well. If you require Tiller Heads or Rudder Heads not listed here, please forward a photo or sketch of the configuration you require with details and complete dimensions. See also, Pintles & Gudgeons, and Rudder Bushings. Rudder Head Assemblies Rudder Heads Rudder Head / Rudder Shaft Keys Tiller Heads & Straps

Rudder Head Assemblies Standard Rudder Head Assemblies are listed below, individual parts of these Assemblies are available separately. Tiller Heads are at 90 degrees to the Rudder Shaft unless otherwise noted. Keys for these Assemblies are sold separately, See Rudder Head Keys.
Bronze Rudder Head Ass'y for 3/4" Shaft: PP 83-975BA:
Cast Bronze Rudder Head Assembly for use with 3/4" diameter Rudder Shaft and 1 3/8" wide Tiller. Rudder Head *(PP 83-975BR)* fits 3/4" Shaft with a 3/16" wide key on the forward side, and features screw for clamping it on the Shaft, and an adjustment screw for tightening the key in the keyway. Tiller Head *(PP 83-975BT)* fits over, and attaches to, 1 1/4" wide Rudder Head with 3/8" bolt, and to 1 3/8" wide Tiller using (2) 1/4"-20 FH machine screws. Tiller Head is designed to hold Tiller at 90 degrees to the Rudder Shaft, but can swivel up from there. Cast Bronze Tiller Head is 7 7/8" long. As used on (most) Cape Dory Typhoon, some Cape Dory 25's, and others.
Bronze Rudder Head Ass'y for 1" Shaft, Forward Key: PP 83-920BA:
Cast Bronze Rudder Head Assembly for use with 1" diameter Rudder Shaft and 1 1/2" wide Tiller. Rudder Head fits 1" Shaft with a 1/4" wide key on the forward side, and a screw to clamp it on the Shaft. Tiller Head attaches to 1 3/8" wide Rudder Head with 3/8" bolt, and to 1 1/2" wide Tiller using (2) 1/4" bolts and nuts, or solid Bronze rivets. Tiller Head is designed to hold Tiller at 90 degrees to the Rudder Shaft, but can swivel up from there. Cast Bronze Tiller Head is (maximum) 7 5/8" long. As used on Grampian 26, and many others.
Chrome Bronze Rudder Head Ass'y for 1" Shaft w/ NO Key: PP 83-931BCA:
Cast Chrome Bronze Rudder Head Assembly for use with 1" diameter Rudder Shaft and 1 7/16" wide Tiller. Rudder Head fits 1" Shaft with NO Key using a 5/16" clamp bolt on the aft side. Tiller Head attaches to 1 3/8" wide Rudder Head w/ 5/16" bolt, and to 1 7/16" wide Tiller using (2) 5/16" bolts & nuts on 3 11/16" centers. Cast Bronze Tiller Head is 8" long. Limited Availability.
Bronze Rudder Head Ass'y for 1" Shaft, Aft Key: PP 83-910BA:
Cast Bronze Rudder Head Assembly for use with 1" diameter Rudder Shaft and 1 3/4" wide Tiller. Rudder Head *(PP 83-910BR)* fits 1" Shaft with a 1/4" wide key on the aft side, and features screw for clamping it on the Shaft, and an adjustment screw for tightening the key in the keyway. Tiller Head *(PP 83-910BT)* fits over, and attaches to, 1 3/4" wide Rudder Head with 3/8" bolt, and to 1 3/4" wide Tiller using (3) 5/16" bolts and nuts, or solid Bronze rivets. Tiller Head is designed to hold Tiller at 90 degrees to the Rudder Shaft, but can swivel up from there. Cast Bronze Tiller Head is 11" long. As used on Alberg 30, Bristol 19, 24, Cape Dory 28, 30, Edel 665, Katana 25, Merit 25, Pearson 22, Electra, Ensign, Triton 28, Sailmaster 22, Sea Sprite 23, Soverel 30 Mk.2, Tartan 27, 34, and dozens of others.
Bronze Rudder Head Ass'y for 1 1/8" Shaft, Aft Key: PP 83-918BA:
Cast Bronze Rudder Head Assembly for use with 1 1/8" diameter Rudder Shaft and 1 3/4" wide Tiller. Rudder Head *(PP 83-918BR)* fits 1 1/8" Shaft with a 1/4" wide key on the aft side, and features screw for clamping it on the Shaft, and an adjustment screw for tightening the key in the keyway. Tiller Head *(PP 83-910BT)* fits over, and attaches to, 1 3/4" wide Rudder Head with 3/8" bolt, and to 1 3/4" wide Tiller using (3) 5/16" bolts and nuts, or solid Bronze rivets. Tiller Head is designed to hold Tiller at 90 degrees to the Rudder Shaft, but can swivel up from there. Cast Bronze Tiller Head is 11" long. As used on Cape Dory 28, 30, and others.
Bronze Rudder Head Ass'y for 1 1/4" Shaft, Aft Key: PP 83-914BA:
Cast Bronze Rudder Head Assembly for use with 1 1/4" diameter Rudder Shaft and 1 3/4" wide Tiller. Rudder Head *(PP 83-914BR)* fits 1 1/4" Shaft with a 1/4" wide key on the aft side, and features screw for clamping it on the Shaft, and an adjustment screw for tightening the key in the keyway. Tiller Head *(PP 83-910BT)* fits over, and attaches to, 1 3/4" wide Rudder Head with 3/8" bolt, and to 1 3/4" wide Tiller using (3) 5/16" bolts and nuts, or solid Bronze rivets. Tiller Head is designed to hold Tiller at 90 degrees to the Rudder Shaft, but can swivel up from there. Cast Bronze Tiller Head is 11" long. As used on Bristol 27, Camden 30, Cheoy Lee Clipper 36, Contessa 32, and others.
Bronze Rudder Head Ass'y for 1 1/4" Shaft, Forward Key: PP 83-924BA:
Cast Bronze Rudder Head Assembly for use with 1 1/4" diameter Rudder Shaft and 2" wide Tiller. Rudder Head fits 1 1/4" Shaft with a 1/4" wide key on the forward side, and a bolt to clamp it on the Shaft. Tiller Head attaches to Rudder Head with 3/8" bolt, and to 2" wide Tiller using (2) 1/4" bolts and nuts, or solid Bronze rivets. Tiller Head is designed to hold Tiller at 90 degrees to the Rudder Shaft, but can swivel up from there.
Bronze Rudder Head Ass'y for 1 1/2" Shaft, Forward Key: PP 83-926BA:
Cast Bronze Rudder Head Assembly for use with 1 1/2" diameter Rudder Shaft and 2" wide Tiller. Rudder Head fits 1" Shaft with a 1/4" wide key on the forward side, and a bolt to clamp it on the Shaft. Tiller Head attaches to Rudder Head with 3/8" bolt, and to 2" wide Tiller using (2) 1/4" bolts and nuts, or solid Bronze rivets. Tiller Head is designed to hold Tiller at 90 degrees to the Rudder Shaft, but can swivel up from there.
SS Rudder Head Ass'y for 3 3/8" Shaft, 3" Tiller: PP 83-337SA:
Cast SS Rudder Head Assembly for use with 3 3/8" diameter Rudder Shaft and 3" wide Tiller. Rudder Head fits 3 3/8" Shaft and attaches with a 1/2" bolt. Welded SS Tiller Head attaches to Rudder Head with 1/2" bolt, and to 3" wide Tiller using (3) 3/8" bolts and nuts (included). Tiller Head is designed to hold Tiller at 90 degrees to the Rudder Shaft, but can swivel up from there. Replaces original Cast Bronze version. As used on Cal 40 and others.

Rudder Heads Rudder Heads are listed by the diameter (Outside Diameter) of the Rudder Shaft to which they attach. Keys for these Rudder Heads are sold separately, See Rudder Head Keys.
Bronze Rudder Head for 3/4" Shaft: PP 83-975BR: Cast Bronze Rudder Head fits 3/4" Rudder Shaft with a 3/16" wide key on the Forward side, and features 1/4" bolt for clamping it to the Shaft, as well as an adjustment screw for tightening the key into the keyway. Rudder Head is (maximum) 1 1/4" wide with 3/8" hole on aft side for Tiller Head bolt, and fits over the top 2 1/8" of Rudder Shaft. Frequently used with Bronze Tiller Head *(PP 83-975BT)* for 1 3/8" wide Tiller.
Bronze Rudder Head for 1" Shaft: PP 83-910BR: Cast Bronze Rudder Head fits 1" Rudder Shaft with a 1/4" wide key on the Aft side, and features 5/16" bolt for clamping it to the Shaft, as well as an adjustment screw for tightening the key into the keyway. Rudder Head is (maximum) 1 3/4" wide with 3/8" hole on aft side for Tiller Head bolt, and fits over the top 2 1/4" of Rudder Shaft. Frequently used with Bronze Tiller Head *(PP 83-910BT)* for 1 3/4" wide Tiller.
Bronze Rudder Head for 1 1/8" Shaft: PP 83-918BR: Cast Bronze Rudder Head fits 1 1/8" Rudder Shaft with a 1/4" wide key on the Aft side, and features 5/16" bolt for clamping it to the Shaft, as well as an adjustment screw for tightening the key into the keyway. Rudder Head is (maximum) 1 3/4" wide with 3/8" hole on aft side for Tiller Head bolt, and fits over the top 2 1/4" of Rudder Shaft. Frequently used with Bronze Tiller Head *(PP 83-910BT)* for 1 3/4" wide Tiller.
Bronze Rudder Head for 1 1/4" Shaft: PP 83-914BR: Cast Bronze Rudder Head fits 1 1/4" Rudder Shaft with a 1/4" wide key on the Aft side, and features 5/16" bolt for clamping it to the Shaft, as well as an adjustment screw for tightening the key into the keyway. Rudder Head is (maximum) 1 3/4" wide with 3/8" hole on aft side for Tiller Head bolt, and fits over the top 2 1/4" of Rudder Shaft. Frequently used with Bronze Tiller Head *(PP 83-910BT)* for 1 3/4" wide Tiller.
Weld-in Aluminum Rudder Head for 2 3/8" OD Shaft: PP 83-P26RHA:
Special cast Aluminum Rudder Head is designed to be welded into Aluminum Rudder Shaft. For use with 2 3/8" OD x 1 7/8" ID Aluminum Rudder Shaft, unit has 1 1/4" wide projection with 1/2" hole for Tiller Head attachment. Cast Aluminum Rudder Head is (maximum) 2 3/8" diameter x 4 3/4" long, and projects 2 3/4" beyond end of Rudder Shaft. Normally used with *PP 83-P26BT* Bronze Tiller Head, and PP 83-P26TH-BA SS bolt assembly. As used on many Pearson 26's. was 83-RSA126
SS Rudder Head for 3 3/8" OD Shaft: PP 83-337RH:
SS Rudder Head attaches to 3 3/8" Rudder shaft with 1/2" bolt and to 3" wide Tiller Head with a 1/2" bolt. Highly polished investment cast SS assembly is (max) 5 3/4" high and features a 7/16" Clamp bolt, included. As used with PP 83-TS3A Tiller Head on some Cal 40's & others.

Rudder Head / Rudder Shaft Keys Square Keys are used with a variety of Rudder Heads to lock them to the Rudder Shaft, and are listed here by size. Keys are available in any length, please specify. Stainless Steel Keys are recommended only when both the Rudder Head and Shaft are Stainless.
*3/16" x 2 1/4" Rudder Head Key, Bronze: PP 83-RK6-22B:* Bronze Rudder Head Key is 3/16" square x 2 1/4" long. Used with a variety of Rudder Heads including the PP 83-975, above.
*3/16" x 2" Rudder Head Key, SS: PP 83-RK6-20S:* Stainless Steel Rudder Head Key is 3/16" square x 2" long.

*1/4" x 2 1/4" Rudder Head Key, Bronze: PP 83-RK8-22B:* Bronze Rudder Head Key is 1/4" square x 2 1/4" long. Used with a variety of Rudder Heads including the PP 83-910, PP 83-914, and PP 83-918, above.
*1/4" x 2" Rudder Head Key, SS: PP 83-RK8-20S:* Stainless Steel Rudder Head Key is 1/4" square x 2" long.

5/16" x 2 1/2" Rudder Head Key, Bronze: PP 83-RK10-25B:
Bronze Rudder Head Key is 5/16" square x 2 1/2" long.
*5/16" x 2 1/2" Rudder Head Key, SS: PP 83-RK10-25S:* Stainless Steel Rudder Head Key is 5/16" square x 2 1/2" long.

*3/8" x 3" Rudder Head Key, Bronze: PP 83-RK12-30B:* Bronze Rudder Head Key is 3/8" square x 3" long.
*3/8" x 3" Rudder Head Key, SS: PP 83-RK12-30S:* Stainless Steel Rudder Head Key is 3/8" square x 3" long.

Tiller Heads & Straps Standard Tiller Heads are listed by the width of the Rudder Head to which they attach. Tiller Straps (2 pieces) are sometimes used on smaller boats, as on J/24.
*SS Tiller Strap Pair for 3/8" Bolt, O'Day: Sch 83-01TS:*
SS Tiller Strap Pair attaches to Rudder Head with 3/8" bolt, and to Tiller using (2) 1/4" bolts. Polished SS Tiller Straps are 9" long x 1 1/4" wide x 1/4" thick. As used on a variety of smaller boats including some O'Day Mariner, 19, 23, 25, 26 and others.
*SS Tiller Strap Pair for 3/8" Bolt, J/22, J/24: Sch 85-44P:*
SS Tiller Strap Pair attaches to Rudder Head with 3/8" bolt, and to Tiller using (3) 1/4" bolts. Polished SS Tiller Straps are 12" long x 1 1/2" wide x 3/16" thick. Schaefer 85-44, as used on a variety of smaller boats including J/22, J/24, and others.

Bronze Tiller Head for 1 1/4" wide Rudder Head: PP 83-975BT:
Bronze Tiller Head fits over, and attaches to, 1 1/4" wide Rudder Head with 3/8" bolt, and to 1 3/8" wide Tiller using (2) 1/4"-20 FH machine screws. Cast Bronze Tiller Head is 7 7/8" long x 1 7/8" wide x (maximum) 7/8" high. As used on a variety of boats including (most) Cape Dory Typhoon's, and some CD 25's.
Bronze Tiller Head for 1 1/4" wide Rudder Head: PP 83-P26BT:
Bronze Tiller Head fits over, and attaches to, cast aluminum 1 1/4" wide Rudder Head, PP 83-P26RHA, with special 1/2" SS bolt assembly, PP 83-P26BT-BA. Unit attaches to 2" wide Tiller using (3) 5/16" bolts and nuts. Special Cast Bronze Tiller Head places Tiller at 45° to Rudder Head, and is (maximum) 10 1/2" long. Special as used on many Pearson 26's.
SS Tiller Head for 1 1/2" wide Rudder Head: PP 83-TS127:
Stainless Steel Tiller Head fits over, and attaches to, 1 1/2" wide Rudder Head with 3/8" bolt, and to 1 1/2" wide Tiller using (3) horizontal and (2) vertical 1/4" bolts. Formed, welded SS assembly is (maximum) 8 3/4" long x 1 7/8" wide x 2" high. As used on some O'Day 27's, and others. *Replaces earlier Aluminum version.*
*SS Tiller Head for 1 9/16" wide Rudder Head: Sch 83-01X:* Stainless Steel Tiller Head fits over, and attaches to, 1 9/16" wide Rudder Head (or directly to the top of the Rudder) with 3/8" bolt, and to 1 9/16" wide Tiller using (2) horizontal 1/4" bolts on 2 1/4" centers. Welded SS assembly is made from 1/4" x 1 1/4" stock, and is (maximum) 7 3/4" long x 2 1/16" wide. As used on some O'Day Mariner, 19, 23, 25, 26's, and others.
Bronze Tiller Head for 1 3/4" wide Rudder Head: PP 83-910BT:
Bronze Tiller Head fits over, and attaches to, 1 3/4" wide Rudder Head with 3/8" bolt, and to 1 3/4" wide Tiller using (3) 5/16" bolts and nuts, or solid Bronze rivets. Cast Bronze Tiller Head is 11" long x 2 1/2" wide x (maximum) 1 1/2" high. As used on a variety of boats including many Cape Dory's.
*SS Tiller Head for 1 3/4" wide Rudder Head: PP 83-TS123:*
Stainless Steel Tiller Head fits over, and attaches to, 1 3/4" wide Rudder Head with 5/16" bolt, and to 1 5/16" wide Tiller using (1) 1/4" and (2) 5/16" bolts. Formed, welded SS assembly is (maximum) 8 1/2" long x 2 1/8" wide x 1 1/2" high. As used on some O'Day Tempests, 23's, and others.
*SS Tiller Head for 1 7/8" wide Rudder Head: PP 83-TS178:*
Stainless Steel Tiller Head fits over, and attaches to, 1 7/8" wide Rudder Head with 3/8" bolt, and to 1 7/8" wide Tiller using (2) 5/16" bolts. Welded SS assembly is (maximum) 11 1/2" long x 2 1/4" wide x 1 1/4" high. Central Bar is 6 1/2" from 3/8" bolt center.
SS Tiller Head for 2" wide Rudder Head: PP 83-TS2A:
Stainless Steel Tiller Head fits over, and attaches to, 2" wide Tiller w/ (5) horizontal 1/4" bolts, and to 2" wide Rudder Head w/ 3/8" bolt. Welded SS ass'y is (maximum) 12" long x 2 3/8" wide x 1 1/2" high. Cross Bar is 4 1/4" from 3/8" bolt center. As used on some O'Day 240, 272, & others.
SS Tiller Head for 3" wide Rudder Head: PP 83-TS3A:
Stainless Steel Tiller Head attaches to, 3" wide Tiller w/ (3) horizontal 3/8" bolts, and to 3" wide Rudder Head w/ 1/2" bolt, Bolts are included. Highly polished welded SS assembly is (max) 14 5/8" long x 3 1/2" wide x (max) 2 1/2" high, made from 1/4" plate. Used with *PP 83-337RH* Rudder Head on some Cal 40's & others.

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