Catalina - Capri - 25s International Assocaition Logo(2006)  
Assn Members Area · Join
h.jpg Home.
a.jpg Association Forum
s.jpg Ships Store
c.jpg Cruising
r.jpg Racing
t.jpg Technical Tips
g.jpg Photo Gallery - New
o.jpg Boat Search - Updated
m.jpg Manuals & Brochures
3rdrpt.jpg Swap Meet
l.jpg Links
f.jpg Officer Flag Line & Staff
b.jpg Bylaws & Constitution
 
1.jpg Members Area
1.jpg Join the Association
 
Notice:
The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
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.
 
Association Forum
Association Forum
Home | Profile | Register | Active Topics | Forum Users | Search | FAQ
Username:
 Password:
Save Password
Forgot your Password?

 All Forums
 Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums
 General Sailing Forum
 Converting a wheel helm		  New Topic  Topic Locked
 Printer Friendly
Author Previous Topic Topic Next Topic  

AADIVER
Admiral

Member Avatar

USA
966 Posts
Initially Posted - 08/02/2009 :  22:10:57  Show Profile  Visit AADIVER's Homepage
How difficult and/or expensive is it to convert a wheel helm to a tiller helm, both on a C-250 and a C-30?
Frank Farmer
Long Beach, CA
aa.diver@verizon.net
http://mysite.verizon.net/aa.diver

PRETTY PENNY
'01 C-250 WK, Hull #558
Edited by - on

aeckhart
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1709 Posts
Response Posted - 08/03/2009 :  12:07:02  Show Profile  Visit aeckhart's Homepage
I would think that the 250 would be easier than the 30 especially if the 30 has a walk-through transom. No telling what kind of transom mods would need to be made with those. An older 30 would be much easier but you'd need to get a custom make rudder, pintals & gudgeons.

If you are cruising I'd stick with the wheel. Spend the money on a good auto-pilot.
Edited by - on
Go to Top of Page

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
4593 Posts
Response Posted - 08/03/2009 :  16:02:01  Show Profile
Stick to the wheel, especially on the 30. On the c-250, I would first consider a folding wheel before converting to a tiller.
Edited by - on
Go to Top of Page

AADIVER
Admiral

Members Avatar

USA
966 Posts
Response Posted - 08/04/2009 :  23:09:41  Show Profile  Visit AADIVER's Homepage
Why do you say, "especially on a 30"? The only complication I can foresee is disconnecting any wheel helm electronics.
Edited by - on
Go to Top of Page

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Djibouti
10005 Posts
Response Posted - 08/05/2009 :  07:08:24  Show Profile
I know you didn't ask for opinions, but I'll add mine anyway... Having sailed a little on a C-30 with a tiller, and more on other boats that size and above with wheels (and generally liking tillers better), I've found that on 30-footers and up, I like to drive standing, not sitting, and a tiller is not conducive to that (except, as I've done, standing with it between my legs with one hand on the boom--sail furled under power).

On a big boat, the binnacle can hold all of your electronics right in front of your face, and your binocs and beer... The wheel is nice to stand behind for all-around visibility, and is less intrusive to the cockpit. Folding wheels are really neat--but the hinges must be made of 24-carat gold!
Edited by - on
Go to Top of Page

aeckhart
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1709 Posts
Response Posted - 08/05/2009 :  12:00:42  Show Profile  Visit aeckhart's Homepage
Ever seen the depth of the swim platform on walk through transom? On a thirty footer I'll bet the distance from where you might be able to locate gudgeons/mount the rudder, to where you would steer in the cockpit with a tiller is 5 feet. That's a long tiller to be dealing with in a narrow transom opening. You'd need a custom tiller and rudder designed to account for the transom issues, which translates into $$$$$$$$$.

If on the other hand, if you're dealing with an older C30 with a standard transom, then the rudder/tiller issues may not be as much a problem. You may need to modify the stern rail and purchase the custom rudder and tiller but I would think the change is pretty cut- and-dried.

As for the 250, the same open transom issues apply but not to the same extent as on a 30 footer. I would still keep the wheel on either one, although why anyone put a wheel on a 25 foot sailboat is anyone's guess.
Edited by - on
Go to Top of Page

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Djibouti
10005 Posts
Response Posted - 08/05/2009 :  13:14:58  Show Profile
The rudder post on a tiller-equipped C-30 comes through the cockpit sole. Same rudder and tube--it isn't hung on the transom.
Edited by - Dave Bristle on 08/05/2009 13:20:39
Go to Top of Page
  Previous Topic Topic Next Topic  
 New Topic  Topic Locked
 Printer Friendly
Jump To:
Association Forum © since 1999 Catalina Capri 25s International Association Go To Top Of Page
Powered By: Snitz Forums 2000 Version 3.4.06
Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
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.