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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

Pics of Wheel install

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brian
Deckhand

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USA
23 Posts

Initially Posted - 12/14/2006 : 11:33:50

Does anyone have any pictures of a tiller to wheel conversion on our boats. I have talked to Edson about purchasing there conversion kit, but don't want to order it and find out its to hard to install. Just looking for any pics of cat 25's with wheels..

Thanks
Brian

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 12/14/2006 : 12:37:45

I am about to say something very opinionated. I would never put a wheel on a 25, I have experience with several on 25s and would remove one immediately if my boat came with one. Our boat was never intended to have a wheel, the cockpit is too narrow, it will mess with the quarter berth, could cause issues with the motor mount, and there are so many other toys to spend money on. In my opinion the only reason to have one would be if I did lots of LONG cruises and wanted the wheel based autopilot over a tiller based one for some compelling reason. Please forgive my bluntness.

Edited by - on

djn
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1561 Posts

Response Posted - 12/14/2006 : 13:04:18

This is the only wheel setup I would use if I really wanted a wheel but for the most part I agree with Frank. Cheers.

http://www.catalina-capri-25s.org/tech/tech25/tt006.asp

Edited by - on

Rich G
Navigator

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226 Posts

Response Posted - 12/15/2006 : 00:17:03

I basically feel if you want a wheel, get a bigger boat.

Edited by - on

Brooke Willson
Admiral

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USA
983 Posts

Response Posted - 12/15/2006 : 06:32:42

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Rich G
 I basically feel if you want a wheel, get a bigger boat.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Amen, amen, amen. A tiller is about the most simple and reliable machine imaginable. You can tilt it up out of the cockpit when at the dock, you can remove it entirely if necessary, and it's much more sensitive and responsive than a wheel. One of the primary purposes of a wheel in a larger boat is to provide more leverage on a bigger rudder. In boats of our size, that kind of leverage -- at the cost of cockpit room and dollars and maintenance -- is unnecessary.

Brooke

Edited by - on

brian
Deckhand

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USA
23 Posts

Response Posted - 12/15/2006 : 10:54:41

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by djn
 This is the only wheel setup I would use if I really wanted a wheel but for the most part I agree with Frank. Cheers.

http://www.catalina-capri-25s.org/tech/tech25/tt006.asp
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Thanks For the Pic.. Wow never thought of doing it that way. Any other pics guys?

Frank and others,

I know most would not put wheels on their boats. I am not a hardcore racer/sailor. I am more of a "fun on the water with family" The wheel just looks like more fun for my kids and wife.. Curently my wife and kids always are either complaining or in the way with the tiller..

Thanks

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 12/15/2006 : 11:23:36

Cut it shorter.

Edited by - on

SJ
Navigator

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USA
198 Posts

Response Posted - 12/15/2006 : 12:33:24

I would be VERY afraid of the wheel and pedestal getting caught up with the main sheet. Imagine if you will a power jibe...The main sheet gets lax and then the boom flys over, catches the wheel and rips it and everything around it out of the boat....OUCH!

Edited by - on

photoblank
Deckhand

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5 Posts

Response Posted - 12/15/2006 : 16:15:06

Get the Edson wheel system. Everyone (family and friends) wants to steer with when there's a wheel. They are a little timid with a tiller, if they are not that familiar with sailing.
I've never had problems with the wheel and pedestal getting caught up in anything. It's only takes 30 seconds to remove the wheel if you want to store it when in the slip or anchored. Never had a maintenance issue.
I have a seat built above the gas locker. So the person in charge has a nice view over the wheel and on both sides of the boat. No need to jump from side to side during a tack, etc......and with the wheel, it feels like a bigger boat

Edited by - on

djn
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1561 Posts

Response Posted - 12/15/2006 : 17:23:28

I agree with you Photo, most everyone is familiar with a wheel, but not many have held a tiller in their hands. Every newbie I had on the boat was totally confused with the tiller....although I like the tiller and also agree with others that it is a good reason to buy a bigger boat...at least that is what I tell my wife. Cheers.

Edited by - on

brian
Deckhand

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USA
23 Posts

Response Posted - 12/15/2006 : 18:46:28

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by photoblank
 Get the Edson wheel system. Everyone (family and friends) wants to steer with when there's a wheel. They are a little timid with a tiller, if they are not that familiar with sailing.
I've never had problems with the wheel and pedestal getting caught up in anything. It's only takes 30 seconds to remove the wheel if you want to store it when in the slip or anchored. Never had a maintenance issue.
I have a seat built above the gas locker. So the person in charge has a nice view over the wheel and on both sides of the boat. No need to jump from side to side during a tack, etc......and with the wheel, it feels like a bigger boat

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Photo,

You don't happen to have pics of the edison installed do you? Thats the main thing is figuring out how hard it is to install..

All,

The reason for not getting a bigger boat is:

1. Wife says this boat is paid for and not going to take a loan for a bigger one, nor does she want to sale it due to us already owning it. I have been down the road of begging, and its not going to happen.

Less important reasons

2. More maintence/docking cost

3. Want to be able to trailer the boat 1 day.

If it was up to me trust me I would just go out and get the 250 with the wheel option, but again wife put her foot down and wouldn't even go look at them with me.. HAHA

I think wheels just make it more fun for everyone....

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 12/15/2006 : 20:35:45

Brian,

Before committing to a wheel, you might want to mock up a pedestal like apparatus and put it in the cockpit, especially while your are out sailing, to fully picture what you might encounter. Or instead of a mock up, while out sailing, have one of your kids stand in the middle of the cockpit and not move.

(Another thing to consider...Autopilots for wheels are 3 to 4 times more expensive than tillerpilots.)

Edited by - on

photoblank
Deckhand

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5 Posts

Response Posted - 12/16/2006 : 18:45:02

Brain,

The boat is sealed up for the winter. I'm on the Hudson River, around 80 miles north of New York City, at Nori Point. We're required to have the boats out of the marina by Nov. 1st. I'll be glad to take pictures in spring time. When I purchased the 2002 250WB, it included the wheel system, so I did not install myself. It would probably take about a day to install (including another set of hands for help.)

Edited by - on

bmelchionda
1st Mate

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63 Posts

Response Posted - 12/17/2006 : 06:43:46

Brian - I have wheel steering with a diesel inboard. I'll take pictures this week. Can you send me an email directly so I have your address please? You should be able to do that working through my profile.

I’ve never been on a Catalina 25 with a tiller but I could imagine the tiller extends just to where my wheel is. I've never had an issue with the wheel steering getting in the way of the mainsail. If you are going to commit to putting it in, don't get me wrong, it looks very difficult to install (I purchased the boat with it already installed by Catalina.)

In terms of how I like it.....I absolutely love it. BTW - I just got the inside scoop from my wife and when she was asked if she likes tiller versus wheel: wheel because it’s easier. So, with that said, if you do not have the option to purchase a different boat with wheel steering and your goal is to improve the time you spend on the boat with your family, this sounds like a good idea for you.

Edited by - on

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 12/17/2006 : 10:41:28

Before buying the wheel, read the looonnnggg thread about a balanced rudder in the General Forum

http://www.catalina-capri-25s.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=14247

If you can get passed all the techno talk (a lot of scientists in the discussion) I think you'll find that the biggest draw of the balanced rudder is that it requires less exertion to use. Is that the reason your looking for a wheel? Maybe a balanced rudder might be the better solution for you. I would think it's far less expensive and a lot less work. Also doesn't sacrifice cockpit space.

Edited by - John Russell on 12/17/2006 10:42:46

crcalhoon
Captain

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USA
303 Posts

Response Posted - 12/17/2006 : 17:34:41

Once again, I've got to agree with Frank. Our last boat had wheel steering. When we got the C25, my wife said, "oh boy, back to a tiller. I like them better." Strangely enouth, without prompting, her reason was that a: it's a sailboat and it just feels more natural, and b: she feels that it is more sensitive and gives her a better feel for the helm. Go figure.

Edited by - on

photoblank
Deckhand

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5 Posts

Response Posted - 12/17/2006 : 19:36:40

I sailed C25's with both tiller and wheel steering. Both work fine.
Newer people on board that want to participate, and find it easier with a wheel. Kind of like driving a car. As far as cockpit room, a wheel system takes of less space that than the area required to keep clear for a tiller, when out on the water. People are not jumping around the cockpit during a tack.

Edited by - on

brian
Deckhand

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USA
23 Posts

Response Posted - 12/17/2006 : 19:37:35

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by bmelchionda
 Brian - I have wheel steering with a diesel inboard. I'll take pictures this week. Can you send me an email directly so I have your address please? You should be able to do that working through my profile.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Sent you a msg with my email...

I read the thread on the balanced rudder. It sounds like it would improve things, but not what I am looking for.

I keep hearing everyone say that the wheel takes up so much cockpit space. I am not sure that I can agree. This past summer I was out with my sons and 2 other kids.. There was 4 kids 2 adults in the cockpit and the kids were always in the way for a tack. Maybe its the fact that our lake is more like a river and we tack alot more. I just feel that there would be plenty of room in front of the wheel for the kids and I or my wife can sit behind the wheel. I thought about even installing some of those over hanging rail seats like on the 250. Tiller might give better feeling and responce, but a wheel just seems more my taste.

Thanks so far for all the responces so far.

Edited by - on

Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2980 Posts

Response Posted - 12/17/2006 : 23:09:21

A wheel adds space to the cockpit while it is sailing and reduces cockpit space while at anchor.

When comparing the C25 and 250, the footwell is a wider on the 250 giving a little more space for getting by a wheel. The 25 has a fairly narrow footwell.

Wheel or tiller...there are no hard right or wrongs... it is what works for the sailing needs of those who are sailing the boat. The silly notion that what is good for me must also be good for you is horse hockey.

Edited by - on

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