RESOURCES

Our Facebook Page

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Boomkicker Boom Supports

Boomkickers are simply the best solution to support the boom and eliminate the topping lift for sailboats 14 to 38 feet. For more, click here.

Furled Sails Sailing Podcast

Check out this weekly sailing podcast focusing on cruising and recreational sailing. To listen, click here!

Good Old Boat magazine is about a lot, and some things we really care about, like creating a community of sailors, offering resources pooled from the knowledge of all of our readers, and keeping our boats afloat. Click here for more!

MyBoatsGear.com

Find reviews of all the latest boat gear. Click here to read.

Practical Boat Owner

Launched in 1967, PBO, the UK’s hands-on, reader-driven yachting magazine offers a “unique blend of helpful advice and in-depth information for every kind of yachtsman”. Click here to step aboard!

Practical Sailor

For more than 35 years, Practical Sailor has been taking the guesswork out of boat and gear buying with bold, independent boat tests, and product-test reports for serious sailors and boaters.

Practical Sailor does not accept any advertising. Its testing program is supported by loyal subscribers who believe in its mission and want to make the best choices when buying a boat, or equipping and maintaining the one they have. Click here to check it out!

Small Craft Advisor

Since its inception Small Craft Advisor has been a publication at the center of all things small-boat and sailing, while constantly advocating and promoting the minimalist lifestyle. Click here to check out more!

Windy.com

Windy.com. Is an excellent free wind-forecasting dynamic map site and app. It is a superb planning tool for sailors in the US and around the world. It uses the GFS forecasting model and also the powerful European ECMWF model, which they pay for because they consider it much more advanced and precise. Click here to visit Windy!

Tested and Recommended Replacement Control Line Ropes

The TillerClutch and TillerClutchX use 5mm control line rope. This rope must be a firm double-braid with an actual diameter very close to 5mm or slightly smaller. It should run smoothly through the device and be resistant to abrasion. The following ropes have passed our careful testing procedures, and are recommended for TillerClutch use:

New England Ropes – Sta-Set 3/16 (5mm) Original Control Line
New England Ropes – Finishline 5mm
Teufelberger – Sirius 300 XG 5mm
FSE Robline – Orion 500 5mm
FSE Robline – Polyester 16 double braid
FSE Robline – Dinghy Control Line 5mm SK-78 Dyneema core
Samson – LST Yacht Braid 3/16 45001240
Novabraid, Canada – XLE Performer traditional tan 3/16″ 5mm double braid

Cutting and Ending a New Control Line
Be sure to prepare the ends to fit easily through your TillerClutch: Tightly wrap the line with paper masking tape, cut the rope through the tape with a razor knife, melt the ends with a flame, and then unwrap the ends to make sealed ends that are no larger than the rope itself.

Warranty and Disclaimer

Limited Warranty for the WaveFront TillerClutchTM

WaveFront, Inc. warrants its TillerClutchTM products for the lifetime of the products.

What the Warranty Covers
All parts of a TillerClutch are covered by this warranty for workmanship, integrity, durability, and proper functioning of the product.

What the Warranty Does Not Cover
This warranty does not cover the tiller or control rope or any other accessories. Nor does it cover any part of a boat or any other property. In no way shall WaveFront, Inc. be liable for any amount exceeding the product’s purchase price.

What We Will Do to Correct Problems
You will be responsible for removing and returning the product to us. Upon receiving the product, we will repair or replace a defective product at our discretion and return it to you in good working order at no cost besides that of return postage.

Return Policy
Within 60 days of purchase, if for any reason you are unsatisfied, return your product with a copy of your receipt for a full refund to the address found on www.WaveFrontMarine.com.

How You Can Get Service
Contact Wavefront, Inc. at info@WaveFrontMarine.com for assistance with questions or warranty needs.

Who Is Covered
This warranty extends to the original purchaser having a receipt as proof of purchase. If you have lost your receipt, contact us and we will determine how to proceed.

Voiding the Warranty
Actions that could void the warranty at our discretion include tampering with the product or disassembly, improper use or abuse, and the application of solvents to the self-lubricating synthetic bushings. Normal heavy use is covered by the warranty.

DISCLAIMER
Safely steering and piloting a boat is the responsibility of the helmsman, who must be attentive and use caution when leaving the tiller for any reason. Always wear a life jacket while sailing.

Sailors of unballasted boats should use extra caution when securing the tiller with a TillerClutchTM, and should only do so if they are experienced. The tiller should not be secured with any device in potentially dangerous weather conditions.

The more powerful TillerClutchX model is intended only for the strongly-built boats, and should not be used on light-weight portable boats, and unballasted boats.

Wavefront, Inc. and its owners do not under any circumstances assume responsibility for damages to any person or property that may be incurred in connection with the use of its products.

If the purchaser chooses not to abide by this disclaimer, he/she is welcome to return their TillerClutch product to WaveFront, Inc. within 60 days of purchase for a full refund.

Which Model is Right for My Boat?

The standard TillerClutch is intended for lighter or well-balanced tiller-steered sailboats that typically sail in fair to moderate conditions or sheltered waters. It is recommended for all but the lightest trailer-size sailboats and day sailors generally up to 24 ft (7 m) or so. The steering effort you feel in the tiller is usually under 15 lb (7 kg), about the weight of a bowling ball.

The TillerClutchX is the same physical size, but it provides extra holding power for heavier boats, such as keel boats, stout trailer boats about 25 ft (7 m) and up, traditional cat boats and blue water boats of all sizes. These boats can generate greater steering effort, often above 15 lb (7 kg), and they tend to sail in more varied conditions. Some smaller, stout-built boats with heavy weather helm can also benefit from the TillerClutchX.

The TillerClutchX is not recommended for most smaller, lighter trailer-size boats. It can allow greater loads on the steering components than they are designed to handle. Also, if ever necessary, it takes more effort to overpower the “X” model without first squeezing the lever. Still, unlike using an “autohelm,” you can force the tiller, if necessary, without disengaging the mechanism of either model.

Note, neither model is recommended for ultralight unballasted sailboats like the Sunfish or Laser, which require constant hand steering.

It is simple to upgrade from the standard TillerClutch to the TillerClutchX. The outside dimensions and screw placement are identical.

Eye Straps as Control Line Fairleads

Cam Cleat Installation Instructions

Mounting Servo Mini Cam Cleats

Trim the thin plastic tabs on the bottom of the cam cleats with a utility knife as shown below.

Determine the position of the cam cleats on the boat and mark the screw locations. Pre-drill screw holes in fiberglass with a 1/8” (3.2 mm) bit for the included No. 6 screws. (For other hardware with No. 8 screws, use a 9/64” (3.5 mm) bit.)

Chamfer (flare) the top of the hole just through the overlying gel coat, using a countersink or a much larger drill bit. We recommend running the drill in reverse for this procedure. Use a marine sealer on the screw threads to prevent leaks.

1. Trim plastic tabs in the mounting surface to allow the fairlead to seat properly.
2. Insert wire fairlead and mount cam cleat with the fairlead facing aft or facing rudder.