The Ballad Exchange

prjacobs wrote: ↑Wed Oct 25, 2017 5:00 pm On another note, I'd like to make a bracket under the tiller so I can put the tiller up vertically and have a short bracket horizontally that the tiller pilot attaches to, leaving more room in the cockpit when under way.

Hmm. I think I see what you mean. Nice idea. Keep me posted!

Yes. It's for all those reasons that I am considering changing mine. I'll hopefully get a chance to see others' on here.

ibbo wrote: ↑Wed Oct 25, 2017 9:05 am This is how I would like my tiller, the curve means you don't trap everyones legs when manouvering. Mine is straight, and takes up so much room.

Yours looks very similar to mine, which makes me think it might be the original (or a copy of).

That's very smart, Peter. Like I say, I can see the benefits of laminating for strength, but I can't help but wonder, if it gets to the point where so much strain is being put into it that a hardwood tiller would snap, it's maybe past time to put in a reef!!?? :lol: When you say your previous tiller...

I am a sculptor/carver by trade and am toying with the idea of creating a new tiller for my Ballad. But I get the feeling my existing tiller isn't original and I'm on the beg for photos of everyone else's! Mine is incredibly long (it pushes other crew members out of the cockpit on a tack! :D ) and i...

Hi there! The washboards are made from 15mm marine plywood, painted with two coats of epoxy primer and two coats of 2-part PU paint. Thanks. I think I'm moving away from the idea of a 'waterproof' laminate/HDF idea and going for marine ply. My existing washboards and locker lids seem to be original...

MarkRyan1981 wrote: ↑Fri Oct 20, 2017 9:34 am Not for the faint hearted, but she looks amazing now.

I'll look forward to seeing that!

@patentnick Nicholas, your weatherboards look great. Are they just painted ply or a laminate of some sort? I've been toying with replacing mine, as well as my cockpit locker lids, galley worktop etc with something like a waterproof HDF board. I'm wondering if anyone else has tried anything similar a...

I'm so sorry for not responding sooner. I only just got around to spotting the notification! Thanks very much for the tips!

Hi Mark. I've been reading through this post and am keen to see the results and hear about your experiences!