Association Forum - Tiller to Wheel Conversion

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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

Tiller to Wheel Conversion

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jbruno
Deckhand

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14 Posts

Initially Posted - 10/02/2002 : 10:12:14

Is it possible?

I currently have a tiller but it is pretty long and makes it difficult for more than a few people to sit in the cockpit without getting in the way. Has anyone tried to convert a tillered boat to a wheel version. How much/hard would it be to do? Good/Bad idea?

Thank you.

Edited by - on

Derek Crawford
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3324 Posts

Response Posted - 10/02/2002 : 10:34:25

jb - I had the same problem while racing - the tiller end would smack the genoa trimmer in the butt whenever we tacked. I finally cut about 8" off the end and rounded it off. It doesn't affect performance one iota, but there is no more butt bruising!
(While I had it off I sanded down to bare wood and applied 3 coats of gloss polyurethane - it looks beautiful).
Derek on "This Side Up"

Edited by - on

Brooke Willson
Admiral

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USA
983 Posts

Response Posted - 10/02/2002 : 10:44:08

There are folks who have converted to a wheel, and you may hear from them. Frankly, I infinitely prefer the tiller for the following reasons:

1. Sheer simplicity. No cables or gears to maintain. If it breaks, $ 50 will buy you a new one.

2. Better feel for the balance of the boat.

3. Tillerpilots are WAY cheaper than autopilots for wheels.

4. At anchor or dock, you can move the tiller out of the way and open up the cockpit (more people). With a wheel pedestal, you're stuck. In fact, I suspect that on a C25 you'll discover you have less cockpit room with a wheel. The reality is that a C25 won't comfortably seat more than about four or five adults in the cockpit anyhow. You'll get follow-ups to this assertion from the stuff-a-phone-booth crowd telling you how many dozen people they've had on their boat, but if you want a boat to carry lots of people, the C25 isn't it. In fact, no sailboat is made to carry lots of people.

5. There have been times when I've needed to remove the rudder because I've run aground. Uncoupling the linkage from a wheel, it seems to me, would be much more trouble than a tiller.

Relax and enjoy the simplicity!

Brooke

Edited by - on

luckystar
Navigator

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USA
236 Posts

Response Posted - 10/02/2002 : 13:49:51

I went through this decision earlier this year and this list helped me decide to forego the wheel in lew of getting an autopilot. I bought an Autohelm 4000 ST tiller pilot and I love it!! It's actually easier and free-er than how I feel on my friends boats with wheel steering. Now they all want an autopilot. Also, the great thing about a tiller is how you can put it out of the way while at dock/anchor. I also installed self tailing winches and make it easier for your trimmers to sit more forward in the cockpit, out of the way of the helm. You only have to move while doing a hard tack, anyway. I never have more than 4 people (adults) aboard and have had no problems with my current arrangement. Good luck, I hope it helps. BTW, the quote I got from Edson on the wheel is $1800 plus shipping (frieght at $288) plus there's two large holes/slots you have to cut in the cockpit floor and the transom, so this is not something to be taken lightly! If I had bought a C25 with a wheel already, I'd probably love it, but to convert now is just too costly, difficult and cumbersome. Especially when the older model 4000 ST tiller pilot that I got from ebay only cost me $500!! And I installed in less than two hours, calibrated it an hour later and have been relying on "Otto" ever since!

Patrick Burnett, Little Rock, AR
S/V Lucky Star #2707 1982 SK/SR

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John G-
Admiral

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793 Posts

Response Posted - 10/02/2002 : 17:05:08

If you race don't even think of a wheel. Do you realy want 2-300 more pounds in the stern of your boat? Boats up to 50' use tillers because of the weight. Even for cruising why drag yourself down in light air with the weight of a wheel. Look behind you, the rudder is right there, why put alot of gear between your feel and that rudder.
Sorry that's my rant on wheels. I wouldn't have one till 35' of boat is under me.

BTW - When you are on the mooring or at a slip try lashing the tiller hard over. I find it makes no difference in the way the boat hangs on the mooring and opens up the entire cockpit for lounging around.

[url="http://www.peregrinefund.org/"]<img src="http://www.peregrinefund.org/images/intro_mid_image.GIF" border=0>[/url]
<font face='Comic Sans MS'><font size=2> John G- "PEREGRINE" C25-#4762 FK </font id=size2></font id='Comic Sans MS'>

Edited by - john g- on 10/02/2002 19:21:57

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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.