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Why Carbon Fibre? (and not just Plain Black!)

Let’s be honest. When you think of carbon fibre, you think of high performance, aerospace strength, and a whole lot of plain, boring black.

We love carbon fibre for it's qualities, but we got a bit fed up with the dull look. That is why we do things a bit differently here at CF by L and L. We build high-grade carbon fibre tillers, tiller extensions, and spinnaker poles that are super lightweight and incredibly strong BUT they come in a variety of fabulous colours.

Whether you want to match your spinnaker, complement your hull colour, or just add some serious dazzle and bling to your boat, you do not have to choose between performance and style anymore.

Here is exactly why upgrading to colourful carbon fibre is the best move for your dinghy, catamaran, or small keelboat.

1. Super Lightweight, Incredibly Strong

Exactly what you expect from carbon fibre, only better. Our gear offers a massive strength-to-weight ratio compared to heavy aluminium or traditional wood. A lighter helm means less arm fatigue during those long, gruelling, multi-race regattas.

2. Zero Flex, Ultimate Control

Aluminium bends under pressure (and gets dented!) and wood can feel a bit spongy. Carbon fibre gives you immediate, crisp feedback from the rudder blade. Every single micro-adjustment translates directly to the water, giving you total precision when pushing hard in a national squad, fighting for position in local club racing or just pottering!

3. A Grip That Saves Your Boat (And Your Hands)

A lot of carbon extensions out there use a harsh, 'sandpaper' type grip that shreds your gloves and chews up your boat's deck. We hate that. Our extensions come with a great grip finish as standard covering all but the first 20cm. It feels excellent in bare hands or gloves, and it will not damage your dinghy.

4. Innovation in the Cockpit: The Pop_Off_UJ®

We don't just build tubes; we re-engineer the humblest components to give you absolute peace of mind. Our tiller extensions come equipped with our very own Pop_Off_UJ® universal joint.

Fast:

You can detach your extension from the tiller in under two seconds.

Safe:

It features an internal rope core. If you experience a catastrophic overload, the extension stays physically tethered to the tiller so you can still steer home safely.

Universal:

The UJ base has the most common 32mm hole centre to hole centre spacing, typically meaning no need to drill annoying new holes in your tiller. It is 100% compatible with the old RWO Omniflex UJ base (fitted to many Lasers and ILCAs) so you may not even need to fit the new base provided.

Tried, Tested, and Built to Last

We don't just manufacture this gear—we use it. Our colourful carbon kit has been thoroughly tried and tested on our MD’s own Laser / ILCA, wooden Scorpion and Flying Fifteen.

Every extension arrives ready to go, complete with a silicone end cap, a fitted insert, and the UJ. If you ever need to replace a worn joint down the line, we use a standard stainless steel T15 Torx screw to make swap-outs a total breeze.

Ready to add some bling to your boat?

Check out our updated stock levels to see what is available for immediate dispatch, or let us custom-build something spectacular for your rig. Even if we need to make it to order, it is well worth the wait!

👉 Explore the Colourful Tiller Extension Range Today

Happy & Colourful Sailing!

The CF by L and L Team

Choosing the Right Tiller Extension Length

Choosing the right tiller extension length is one of the most critical, yet frequently overlooked ergonomic decisions a dinghy, catamaran or keelboat sailor can make. The vast majority of classes do not have a specific Class Rule covering the length (with the exception, for example, of Topper and Cadet).

An extension that is too short forces you to sit too far back, destroying your boat's fore-and-aft trim in light air. An extension that is too long hooks your bouyancy aid / PFD during tacks or catches on the mainsheet, leading to costly capsizes.

To help you optimize your cockpit layout, the team here at CF by L and L has compiled the ultimate guide to selecting the perfect carbon tiller extension length.

Standard Lengths Across Popular Classes

While individual preferences vary based on height and hiking style, the UK and International racing circuits have established typical lengths for many classes. See our guide lengths here.

Always also check your Class Rules!

Steps to Find Your Perfect Custom Fit

1. Measure Your Ideal Hiking Position

Sit in your boat on dry land or with the boat in the water in full hiking gear with a friend holding the boat. Extend your legs fully and position yourself where you would ideally sit to keep the bow clear of the waves upwind. Hold a tape measure from the tiller's universal joint to your front hand. The measurement where your hand naturally rests, plus 50mm-75mm tail protruding past your grip, is a good guide to your target length.

2. Account for the Mainsheet Hoop / Bridle / Traveller

During a tack or gybe, your extension must swing smoothly across the cockpit without snagging the mainsheet blocks, loop, or the traveller rope. If you regularly sail a class with a low aft traveller (like an ILCA), a slightly shorter length reduces the radius of your swing, lowering the risk of mid-tack snags.

3. Analyze Your Local Wind Conditions

Light Wind Venues: If your local club sailing / racing usually takes place on flat, light-air inland lakes and gravel pits, consider a slightly longer extension. This allows you to sit further forward to lift the transom out of the water without losing steering access.

Heavy Wave Venues: For coastal venues with heavy chop, a slightly shorter tiller extension makes it easier for you to sit further aft to keep the bow from digging in, giving you snappy, unrestricted control.

The Performance Advantage

Upgrading to a lightweight, rigid carbon fibre tiller extensionw from the CF by L and L Tiller Extension Range minimises the physical play in your steering. Combined with the correct length, you will experience significantly less physical fatigue during long, multi-race regattas. Find your perfect length (and colour!) today and elevate your racing ergonomics.

Engineering Resilience: The Pop_Off_UJ® System

In competitive dinghy racing, a broken universal joint (UJ) can often end your race and potentially the event. Traditional UJs degrade rapidly under high-angle stress when the tiller extension is folded over with the tiller and left in your foil bag until the next time you sail. When they break, it is not always immediately noticeable until you're on the water, and they often require a tedious onshore repair process involving, rivets, bolts or tiny screws. Worst of all, you could lose your tiller extension over the side.

To solve this persistent point of failure, the team here at CF by L and L developed the Pop_Off_UJ® System. A durable quick-release mechanical mechanism designed to protect your gear and keep you on the water.

Anatomy of the Pop_Off_UJ®

The system replaces standard UJs with a precision-moulded, high-impact composite base and matching core and reinforced 'cover' with dyneema (in various colours).

The Internal Rope Core:

Traditional joints crack and then snap clean through when fatigued. The Pop_Off_UJ® features an internal dyneema rope core that provides secondary safety, ensuring that even under catastrophic overload, your extension should remain physically tethered to the tiller so you can still steer home.

Quick Release Mechanism:

By utilising an intuitive design, sailors can detach their tiller extension from the tiller in under two seconds.

For those who prefer non-rope core:

There is also a non-rope core version of the Pop_Off_UJ® but with the exact same quick release mechanism.

Low bulk, light weight:

It is not the only 'quick release' UJ on the market...but....unlike others it is compact, lightweight and easy to release in all conditions, even at the end of that cold, tiring event. The UJ base also fits the majority of tillers, with the same hole spacing as most other UJs on the market, thereby usually eliminating the need to drill new hole(s) in your tiller.

Increased Lifespan:

The flexible joint element is manufactured from a custom polyurethane blend optimized for extreme high-angle articulation without developing structural micro-tears.

When ashore, instead of bending your UJ and folding your tiller extension over next to your tiller, you can instantly detach it and store your tiller extension safely inside your foil or spar bag, without any stress to the UJ.

By re-engineering the humblest component in the cockpit, the CF by L and L Pop_Off_UJ® system delivers peace of mind to performance and casual sailors alike. Check out the innovative design on the Product Page here and for the non-rope core version here.

High Performance Meets Vibrant Style

When it comes to competitive dinghy, catamaran and keelboat sailing, every ounce of weight, combined with incredible strength can make the difference between claiming the clean air at the front of the fleet or getting buried in the pack. For years, upgrading to carbon fibre hardware meant settling for the same uniform, uninspiring black components as everyone else on the slipway.

But who says elite engineering has to be boring?

Welcome to CF by L and L, the UK-based manufacturer redefining marine hardware by combining uncompromising, aerospace-grade carbon fibre strength with an explosion of vibrant colours. Whether you are pushing hard in a national squad or enjoying local club racing, our mission is simple: to deliver ultra-lightweight, incredibly stiff, and beautifully distinctive tillers, tiller extensions, and spinnaker poles that elevate both your performance and your boat's aesthetics—all at a price point that makes sense.

Engineered for the Elements, Styled for the Podium

Every product we produce at CF by L and L is carefully designed and precision-crafted to balance structural integrity with maximum weight reduction. However, our standout feature is the ability for you to match your hardware directly to your hull, spinnaker, or your team kit.

From the dinghy park to the racecourse, our growing line-up of class-legal gear is designed by experienced sailors who have been active in the sport across many classes since the 1970s:

Colourful Tiller Extensions:

Available for a vast range of classes—including ILCA/Laser, Cadet, Topper, RS200, 29er and 49er to name just a few —featuring a high-comfort grip finish that is gentle on your bare hands and your deck, bypassing the abrasive 'sandpaper' textures of traditional extensions.

Innovative Carbon Tillers:

Our bespoke ILCA/Laser tillers feature a completely inset metal traveller wear plate and a streamlined, solid cockpit end to completely eliminate cleat snags during aggressive tacks.

The Pop-Off UJ® System:

Say goodbye to brittle, difficult-to-replace universal joints. Our innovative quick-release, rope-core and now non-rope core universal joint allows you to detach your extension in seconds, ensuring your gear is protected during transit, minimising wear and tear and prolonging the life of the UJ.

Ultra-Light Spinnaker Poles:

Custom twin and single spinnaker pole setups engineered for classes like the Fireball, Lark, Merlin Rocket, Flying Fifteen and XOD plus many others, making spinnaker pole handling, launch and recovery easier as well as shedding critical ounces at the bow.

Upgrading your boat shouldn't mean sacrificing individuality for the sake of speed. Explore the CF by L and L Online Shop today to experience the ultimate fusion of strength, style, and value on the water.

Why Carbon Fibre? (and not just Plain Black!)

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