Method and apparatus for dampening rudder vibration

1. An apparatus for dampening rudder vibration of a motorboat, the apparatus comprising:

a tiller assembly rotatable about a pivot point adjacent a stern of the motorboat, the tiller assembly including a tiller arm extending in a first substantially horizontal direction from the pivot point and rotating about the pivot point; and

a damper mounted on the tiller assembly extending in a second substantially horizontal direction from the pivot point, wherein the damper rotates integrally with the tiller arm, and wherein the damper includes a mass to dampen vibrations of the tiller.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first direction and the second direction are at least about 90° apart.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the first direction and the second direction are substantially opposite one another.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein a center of mass of the damper is disposed at a distance from the pivot point, wherein the distance is less than about 50% of a length of the tiller arm.

5. An apparatus for dampening rudder vibration of a motorboat, the apparatus comprising:

a tiller assembly rotatable about a pivot point adjacent a stern of the motorboat, the tiller assembly including a tiller arm extending in a first direction from the pivot point and rotating about the pivot point; and

a damper mounted on the tiller assembly extending in a second direction from the pivot point, wherein the damper rotates integrally with the tiller arm, and wherein the damper includes a mass to dampen vibrations of the tiller;

wherein the damper comprises an elongated member including a first and a second end, wherein the first end is disposed at the pivot point, and wherein the second end including a width that is larger than a width of the first end.

6. An apparatus for dampening rudder vibration of a motorboat, the apparatus comprising:

a tiller assembly rotatable about a pivot point adjacent a stern of the motorboat, the tiller assembly including a tiller arm extending in a first direction from the pivot point and rotating about the pivot point; and

a damper mounted on the tiller assembly extending in a second direction from the pivot point, wherein the damper rotates integrally with the tiller arm, and wherein the damper includes a mass to dampen vibrations of the tiller;

wherein the damper comprises an elongated member including a first and a second end, wherein the first end is disposed at the pivot point, and wherein the second end including a thickness that is larger than a thickness of the first end.

7. An apparatus for dampening rudder vibration of a motorboat, the apparatus comprising:

a tiller assembly rotatable about a pivot point adjacent a stern of the motorboat, the tiller assembly including a tiller arm extending in a first direction from the pivot point and rotating about the pivot point; and

a damper mounted on the tiller assembly extending in a second direction from the pivot point, wherein the damper rotates integrally with the tiller arm, and wherein the damper includes a mass to dampen vibrations of the tiller;

wherein the damper comprises an elongated member including a first and a second end, wherein the first end is disposed at the pivot point, and wherein the second end including a density that is larger than a density of the first end.

8. An apparatus for dampening rudder vibration of a motorboat, the apparatus comprising:

a tiller assembly rotatable about a pivot point adjacent a stern of the motorboat, the tiller assembly including a tiller arm extending in a first direction from the pivot point and rotating about the pivot point; and

a damper mounted on the tiller assembly extending in a second direction from the pivot point, wherein the damper rotates integrally with the tiller arm, and wherein the damper includes a mass to dampen vibrations of the tiller;

wherein the damper comprises an elongated member including a first and a second end, wherein the first end is disposed at the pivot point, and wherein the damper further including a mass member at the second end.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the mass member comprises a width that is larger than a width of the first end.

10. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the mass member comprises a thickness that is larger than a thickness of the first end.

11. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the mass member comprises a density that is larger than a density of the first end.

12. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein a center of mass of the mass member is disposed substantially in the second direction from the pivot point.

13. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein a center of mass of the mass member is displaced from the second direction.

14. An apparatus for dampening rudder vibration of a motorboat, the apparatus comprising:

a tiller assembly rotatable about a pivot point adjacent a stern of the motorboat, the tiller assembly including a tiller arm extending in a first direction from the pivot point and rotating about the pivot point; and

a damper mounted on the tiller assembly extending in a second direction from the pivot point, wherein the damper rotates integrally with the tiller arm, and wherein the damper includes a mass to dampen vibrations of the tiller;

wherein the damper comprises an elongated member including a first and a second end, wherein the first end is disposed at the pivot point, and wherein the second end is curved.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the second end is curved substantially in a circular arc.

16. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein an end of the mass member is curved.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the end of the mass member is curved substantially in a circular arc.