by Peter McMinn » Thu Mar 18, 2004 2:13 pm
I use the Forspar twist-lock extension that came with my boat. The locking function is starting to fail and probably will be usesless by the end of the summer. A new replacement from West Marine is $75. I'm considering adopting my brother's "poor man's" extension that he uses on his 15' Kestral. He removed the head from an old putter club, the stick of which turns out to be of very high quality, light-weight material. He bought a urethane universal joint from WM and secured it to the end of the tiller. The finished product is a strong and very light extension with a handle grip designed for fine golfing--and sailing. Not sure how long the stick is, but the helmsman can easily steer while hiking amidship. Very sensitive to feel to the helm, too.