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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 250 Specific Forum

Wheel vs Tiller

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BobS
Deckhand

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2 Posts

Initially Posted - 03/08/2006 : 07:53:42

I am looking at two C250's (2002 & 2000), the 2002 has a tiller vs the wheel on the 2000. Looking for comments on the advantage or disadvantage of either boat with everything else being equal.

Thanks,
Bob

Edited by - on

reuben
Navigator

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USA
202 Posts

Response Posted - 03/08/2006 : 08:18:14

Bob,

If you sail with a cockpit full of family or friends -- a crew of four or more -- you're going to like the wheel, as the tiller requires a lot of room back & forth. If you singlehand or sail with one other person, I'd go with the tiller.

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tomara
1st Mate

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USA
46 Posts

Response Posted - 03/08/2006 : 11:59:52

Bob:
We just bought a 2002 C250 WK with a wheel.
The advantages to us were personal as we liked the looks, feel, extra cockpit room, ability to stand versus sit while steering, and response of the wheel.

I will soon add a pedestal guard to mount accessories, equipment, and have another place to hold on while sailng.

We learned to sail with a tiller but had crewed on boats with wheels. Even though a tiller will provide a better physical feel than a wheel in steering and maneuvering we just prefer wheels.

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moserd
Navigator

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USA
149 Posts

Response Posted - 03/08/2006 : 12:38:47

I have the wheel option on my 2005 WK and I love it. One advantage I have found is that I can sail for long periods of time without touching the wheel and the boat tracks very well, even in winds up to 12 mph. While single handling I can leave the helm to adjust a sail or get a drink and not worry about the boat wandering. I agree about the cockpit space also, no one is complaining about the tiller banging the knees.

I am considering a wheel guard myself but am a little concerned about it taking up too much space. Does anyone have any comments about adding a guard?

Don

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Tradewind
Admiral

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USA
531 Posts

Response Posted - 03/08/2006 : 14:10:00

I'm still considering replacing my tiller with a wheel. Seems like a major and expensive project.

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Tom Potter
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1913 Posts

Response Posted - 03/08/2006 : 17:32:38

Welcome aboard Bob!

I like the room I have with the tiller, when anchored or at dock you just lift up the tiller handle and turn it to one side and you have the whole cockpit at your disposal. Autopilots are cheaper for a tiller than a wheel. The wheel gives you places to mount your "stuff". Some people like the feel of the tiller, some like the feel of the wheel. If you get a chance, sail both and see which you like best. If you don't get the chance to sail both at least try to sit in both and get a feel of it. Some people have complained about the back stays getting in the way with the wheel setup. Do a Google search "Wheel vs Tiller" and read away, lots of difference in opinions out there. Which ever one you select you wont go wrong with the boat it's attached to.

Edited by - Tom Potter on 03/08/2006 17:34:17

Robert
1st Mate

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USA
75 Posts

Response Posted - 03/10/2006 : 11:18:31

Hi Bob:
I agree with the both the pro and con comments above. I have a wheel with a pedestal gaurd on our boat. After four years, I am still second guessing myself about my choice. To me the wheel became a safety item. I often sail with a relative newbie and I find that it is easier and more fun for them start on the helm. Many people have never steered with a tiller and when they are faced with a challange the idea of pushing the tiller to the port side to go starboard is totally foreign as a first response. Good luck with your choice.
Robert

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 03/10/2006 : 16:29:35

Does the wheel pedastal actually add space to the cockpit?

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Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2980 Posts

Response Posted - 03/11/2006 : 08:35:31

Hey Don, this is one of those yes and no answers.

While underway, the wheel has the effect of increasing space, otherwise it limits it. However, the addition of catbird seats all but eliminate the cockpit space issue of a tiller boat.

Other wheel thoughts.... the primary purpose of a wheel over a tiller is to gain leverage and reduce helm effort. Unfortunately the Edson small boat steering system has typically required more effort than a tiller, exactly opposite of a wheel purpose.

In my opinion, the next best result of a wheel is standing excercise for those who cruise. Spending a couple of weeks on a twenty five foot boat yields far too much sitting time, and the time standing at the wheel for captain and crew becomes important to overall comfort and enjoyment of a cruise.

There are other lesser valued pluses, such as easier orientation for new sailors but that is minimal, it doesn't take someone very long to figure out a tiller.

A wheel does provide for a pedestal guard which adds a bit of safety with a center cockpit grab as well as a mounting location for instruments, and a cockpit table.

Summing up, the three primary arguments for a wheel are not met on a 250, they are usually not chosen for cruising, they have stern rail seats which aleviate the cockpit space issue and the stock steering system adds helm effort rather than reducing it. There are of course other values that remain.

Even though I decided to order my boat without the wheel and took delivery of a wheel because of a deal, I've come to value the wheel but primarily because of the big three issues, most of my sailing is multi week cruising, my boat doesn't have the stern seats and I've converted the steering linkage to a system that makes the wheel effort easier than a tiller.

Edited by - on

SEAN
Admiral

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USA
772 Posts

Response Posted - 03/17/2006 : 09:21:13

here is my wheel,Its a pain getting around but I like the table and and the depth/gps right in front of me

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AADIVER
Admiral

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USA
966 Posts

Response Posted - 03/17/2006 : 10:40:12

You can stand and steer with a tiller, folks, for enough time to break up the sit, sit, sit of long voyages. And a tiller helm is far less likely to malfunction while underway. And a tiller is more responsive and sensitive than a wheel. And what came first, the tiller or the wheel? Okay, I admit my 250 has a tiller helm, so am I predjudiced? Of course

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The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.