[quote=Edchris177]On my 5.7 the original owner added the adjustable end to the original tiller bar. To make it work required cutting the original bar, then adding the adjuster. The result was the tiller is not exactly at the center. In my opinion, drilling a new hole 1/2"-5/8" offset is of no consequence for a recreational sailor. Mine is more than that, the only time I notice it is when soloing & I decide to move right up to the forward beam. On one tack you will find that your hotstick touches the main blocks because the attachment point is slightly the other side of center. This only happens IF you are way at the front of the boat, AND you have the main block traveler as close to center as it will go. In practice,even with a centered traveler, once the wind load is on the sail, it moves 1/2" off center.
It really isn't an issue, sounds like $$ are tight, drill a new hole, if you don't like the result, then consider buying a new tube. Or take it to an aluminum welder, have him fill the old holes with bead. Grind it down to match the original profile & re-drill on center.
I thought you might be able to buy a 2 piece screw. They are hollow, have a flange on each end. You could put one though the hole, screw the two parts together,(with Loctite)then remount hotstik bracket. I'm not sure if they can be found with a 1/4" center hole
Install one of those 80 cent concave rubber biscuits top & bottom, they work wonders in preventing the attachment bolt from working the hole larger.
[img]http://www.murrays.com/mm5/graphics/00000001/01-0061sm.jpg[/img]<!-- editby --><em>Edited by Edchris177 on Dec 17, 2010 - 08:33 AM.</em><!-- end editby --> [/quote]
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