Abstract: A stabilizer for controlling the steering of boats is made of an attachment plate, a friction controller and a spool; the attachment plate is attached to the tiller, rudder or an extension of either. The spool is mounted on the attachment plate and the friction controller is connected to the attachment plate via a spool post and is moved to increase or decrease pressure on the spool. The spool has, on its edge, a modified groove which can have a single knot hole, or can have one or more groove enlargements, discontinuities and/or can be zigzagged. A line is attached to the boat on one side of the stabilizer, wound around the spool for several turns and attached to the boat on the other side. The line is knotted at approximately the midpoint for use with a knot hole. Preferably the two sides of the line are then linked on the opposite side of the spool. This mechanism allows excessive pressure against the rudder to move an unattended tiller in emergencies.