Building a new tiller

The tiller on Salammbo was looking pretty decrepit and it was time for either a refinish or a rebuild. Since the tiller had already been fixed at least once in the past, and wasn't looking great, I decided to go new. I also had some nice 1 1/4" thick white ash available from a paddle making project my Scout group did a few years back that I knew would look great as a tiller handle. White ash is strong and durable. 

• The first step was to simply trace my old rudder onto the stock. I liked the existing rudder feel so have no need to change the shape. 

Tracing the tiller

• Cut out the rough shape with a jig saw. 

Rough cut tiller

• I used an aggressive rasp to remove the bulk of the material. A less aggressive file tuned up the shape.

Rasp shaped tiller

• I used a power sander with 60 grit paper to smooth out the rasp marks and followed that up with 120 grit and then 220 grit.

• I finished the tiller with 6 coats of Epifanes Clear Varnish

Finished tiller

Vector format Hughes logos

Over at the Lady Hamilton site there is a good version of the Hughes Logo in DOC format. This works well unless you need a larger version. I created a vector format of the logo to make it easier for large format printing of the logo.

Click on the image below for the SVG format. These can be edited with any vector capable program, I like the open source software InkScape.

H29 Layout in Vector Format

I am currently planning some major electrical work on Salammbo. To help diagram this I thought it would be nice to have a clean, scalable layout diagram to use. Since the only diagram I had available is the one located here, I thought it might be good to do up a quick vector based version.

Note: The scale isn't confirmed as accurate but looks close.

You can use an open source editor like InkScape to manipulate this file.

I will post my electrical plans once they are completed.

Prop Nut Zinc Anode

My Hughes 29 has spent the vast majority of it's 40 year life in fresh water. Apparently electrolysis is still possible in fresh water but it certainly isn't fast acting. My boat hasn't had an anode installed (in recent history anyways) and shows no sign of corrosion. However, I do plan to hit salt water so I have been on the hunt for an appropriate anode.

The problem with the Hughes 29 boats (confirmed by other owners that it's not just mine) is that there is very little clearance between the prop and the shaft housing. On my boat there is only 3/4" clearance.  That isn't enough room for a standard shaft mount anode. 

After much searching, I found a source for an anode that would work. It is a  prop-nut mounted anode.  The following are the part number and spec for the anode. 

CMPNCC10 - For 1" diameter propeller shaft. Complete set, zinc and bronze nut. Shaft Size: 1" (25mm) Length: 3" (76mm) O.D: 1 7/8" (48mm) Weight:  1.38 (0.63kg) Thread Size: ¾"NC10 O.D.: 1 7/8" (48mm) Fastner: 5/16-18x1 socket head w/patch

These anodes are available online at The Binnacle.

Winterizing Hughes 29

I've found some great articles that are related to winterizing the Hughes 29. Although they aren't actually specific to the boat, they are specific to the components.

Here are the steps that I've taken to winterize Salammbo. I'd appreciate any comments on things that I could do better.

1. Pump faucet and toilet dry
2. Drained fresh water tank and put in antifreeze.
3. Pump antifreeze through faucet and into the, now closed, drain.
4. Pump antifreeze through toilet into both onboard tank and external drain
5. Dump some antifreeze into the bilge (in case water gets in there and freezes)
6. Change oil in engine (good reference)
7. Winterize engine (here's a great site)

Supplies used:

• 5L 10W30 oil
• 15L plumbing antifreeze
• Motomaster fogging spray
• Gas stabilizer 

SALAMMBÔ - Hughes 29

I am in the process of purchasing a Hughes 29 sailboat named Salammbo. This is my first cruiser and I'm very excited about the process. I've created a page for her and I will document as much as I can about the boat as I learn about her. I've created a static page for documentation purposes and I'll also write ongoing blog entries tagged with Hughes 29.