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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 250 Specific Forum

Wheel or Tiller

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Ben - FL
Admiral

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880 Posts

Response Posted - 06/28/2002 : 14:51:19

I'm still wondering about how the linkage would work. Is there a stuffing box?

Safe voyages,
Ben, FL s/v Chick-a-pea C250wk

Edited by - on

Ben - FL
Admiral

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880 Posts

Response Posted - 06/28/2002 : 14:56:53

I'm still wondering about how the linkage would work. Is there a stuffing box? Found the picture of "wheel steering" on Fair Lady. But I've got pulpit seats and there is nothing about the installation.

Safe voyages,
Ben, FL s/v Chick-a-pea C250wk

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Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1772 Posts

Response Posted - 06/28/2002 : 15:36:29

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
I'm still wondering about how the linkage would work. Is there a stuffing box?
Ben, FL s/v Chick-a-pea C250wk
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>

Hi Ben,

I don't know anything about how the wheel steering is set up in a C-250, but I can give you an idea of how it is set up on my boat (a previous owner added an Edson wheel to my C-25).

The pedestal for the wheel is mounted about dead-center on my cockpit floor. There is a stiff cable that comes out of the bottom of the pedestal into the quarter berth, and the cable snakes its way under the cushion toward the stern ... there is no stuffing box. The cable reminds me of the kind of cable you would see on a 10-speed bicycle that is used to shift the gears or operate the hand brakes ... only MUCH beefier. There is a rectangular hole cut into the transom about midway between the pintles on the rudder, and there is an "arm" attached to the rudder that goes through this hole and meets up with the cable from the steering wheel. The cable moves the rudder back and forth with a "push-pull" action on the arm.

It is a pretty simple set up, but I can't comment on how it works ... 'still working on the boat. The good news is, after waiting for over a year, I just got clear title to the boat THIS MORNING ... woo hoo <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>! Now I can register the boat and actually make plans to splash.

'Hope this helps ...

Buzz Maring, C-25 SK/SR #68, "Freya"

Edited by - on

jkey6
1st Mate

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71 Posts

Response Posted - 06/29/2002 : 08:29:46

They are both great; but I chose a wheel because I did not want to resemble Joshua Slocum on the lake.

While sailing our C22 for what seemed like forever, I did know that my wife had difficulty with the tiller when the wind picked up, which was when I typically needed her to helm while I tended sail. Also, we have 2 boys (at the time 5 and 6) and they tended to sit right next to me; I constantly had to reposition them for tacks to allow the tiller arc. In sudden gusts or during those 'few moments of shear terror' I would have to literally push them out of the way.

When we started shopping for our C250WK, I intended to get a tiller; I really did not consider a wheel. However, when we purchased our boat, the dealer had a reserved C250WK with wheel 'on the way' whereas the tillered boat would take another month and a half. This got my interest, along with the pedastal mounted engine controls.

Ultimatley we purchased the wheeled C250WK, primarily due to delivery and some expectation that it would help my wife and the seating situation with our boys.

Turns out I think it was the best choice by far. My wife asks to take the helm now, even with wind while turning the mark, in traffic!

My boys can hold a course for miles, and of course no problem with the tiller arc. The wheel, with pedastal engine controls gives the boat a 'big boat' feel. I can also feel the sail trim with the wheel. It is dampened, but you can feel it. The rudder being hung on the stern allows for sail trim also as the offset is easily seen.

We all tend to have '2 foot itis' I think if I had the tiller, I would be looking at 27 ft; with the wheel, all the 27 footer offers over our C250 is 2 more feet. For our use of the boat, 2 feet is not worth another 40 k.

The most important benefit with the wheel for us is that when the occasional thunderstorm threatens, my boys go under and start a game of cards, my wife can steadily steer(read no unintended jibes), start the motor and begin to motor, while I concentrate on the sails. If we had a tiller and if our outboard had only wand steering and wand mounted throttle and transmission controls; my wife would be below with the boys playing cards, and I would on deck, tiller tied, hanging onto the lifelines dropping the sails and very much looking like Joshua Slocum reincarnated.

Edited by - on

MarkTM
Navigator

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USA
178 Posts

Response Posted - 07/02/2002 : 18:10:10

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
Also, with the tiller extender, you can move forward and out on the side which can make an appreciable difference when sailing in higher winds. I find this to be a very comfortable position when combined with back rests attached to the life lines.<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>

I love my wheel steering, but unlike many who have expressed a desire for a smaller wheel, I purchased a larger wheel (30") so that I can easily steer from the coaming. I spend very little time behind the wheel while under sail. While motoring, I must admit that behind the wheel is the place to be.

A Hunter owner was selling his boat a year or so ago and he decided to sell his upgraded (larger) Edson Destroyer wheel and put the original 24" wheel back on the boat. I was very lucky; no one else bid . . . a like new, 30" wheel for $50 <img src=icon_smile.gif border=0 align=middle>

I installed an Edson remote wheel mount that is attached to my pedestal guard (starboard side). While at anchor, we remove the wheel (using the quick release knob) and mount it in its carrier. This opens up the cockpit and allows easy access to the stern ladder. Even the 24" wheel was a substantial obstacle if left on the pedestal. We can still slide by the 30" wheel when necessary.

Mark Melchior
C250wb "Lorelei" #384
[url="http://www.texassailor.com/"]<img src="http://www.texassailor.com/texas.gif " border=0>[/url]
(click flag to visit Central Texas Sailor)

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mday
Navigator

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197 Posts

Response Posted - 07/10/2002 : 17:37:24

Ben,

If you have access to an Edson catalog, the wheel steering used by Catalina on a C250 is the Edson small boat steering system. They have a nice diagram of all the components. Let me know if you'd like a scanned copy via email.

Max Day
C250 WB 380
Lake Pleasant, AZ

Edited by - on

Ben - FL
Admiral

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880 Posts

Response Posted - 07/11/2002 : 23:58:58

All right! I found it on the web. Thanx for the info.
[url="http://www.edsonmarine.com/sailboat/pdf/K29_11.pdf"]Edson International small boat steering system[/url]

Here's the main page:
[url="http://www.edsonmarine.com/"]Edson Marine[/url]

Safe voyages,
Ben, FL s/v Chick-a-pea C250wk

Edited by - Ben - FL on 07/12/2002 00:02:58

Edited by - on

mday
Navigator

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197 Posts

Response Posted - 07/12/2002 : 19:20:57

Ben,

I looked at the web site too, but the system they show there isn't exactly what I have on my boat. It has only one cable that connects to a lever sticking out through the transom and covered by a rubber boot. The lever then connects to a big metal plate mounted on one side of the rudder with a pin. I think the difference is the "outboard rudder" versus the "transom mounted rudder" shown in the online catalog. I'll see if there's a more accurate picture in an older catalog I have. The idea is generally the same, though.

Max Day
C250 WB 380
Lake Pleasant, AZ

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