32' islander wayfarer

[Saylor54]

I have a 32 ' Islander Wayfarer , McGlasson Design from 1966, I am a very young in sailing experience, I saw pictures of others Islander Wayfarer with Helm, and I am planning to replace the tiller for a helm , thinking that will be more rum in the cockpit , because all the time have with me 4 to 6 person on board between family and friends , the tiller perform great , but don't know if the change will be favorable or not ; I will like some advise about it ; may be some one who have ,or had , this boat can tell me about Helm vs. Tiller in this particular boat before I spend tha, Thanks to every one in advance for your help
Saylor317

 

[Ken Cross]

Our last boats had tillers, our current boat has a wheel. I'm amazed how much room the wheel takes out of our cockpit floor space.
I'm not sure a wheel is an improvement. Also, tillers are simple, autopilot connections are easier with a tiller, and with a tiller you have some feel of the sailing conditions (Are the sails balanced?). Wheels look more advanced (and are way more costly.) They do make a great place to mount plotters and the like. On our current boat I'm always looking around the equipment mounted in my line of sight. I end up sitting to the side so I can see.

Ken

 

[Roland5048]

thinking that will be more rum in the cockpit

SA, If you are, as you say, fairly new to sailing, I would keep the tiller for now. Much easier to learn proper sail trim and balance as Ken mentioned. The boats where I teach sailing, a 32 and 34 footer, and also my own h30 have wheel steering and in light winds it's difficult to teach proper rudder position, weather and lee helm, etc. You just can't feel the rudder. I encourage my students to go take a lesson on a tiller boat in order to sense the difference. You have a great 'plastic classic' there. I would keep her as she is. If possible, find a similar boat with a wheel that you can take out and see how it feels before dumping a ton of money in a retro-fit. As Ken also noted, with a wheel you can mount instruments, drink holders, etc. That's a plus. You can also, if balanced properly, leave the wheel briefly without rounding up or falling off. Something that's difficult to do with a tiller. I also sit on the side, usually, so I can see under my deck sweeper of a genny when on a close reach. There are many factors to consider. I'm thinking this thread is going to generate a lot of opinions. I also think more rum in the cockpit is better.
Happy sailing.
Roland
s/v Fraulein II

 

[31seahorse]

I looked at the sailboatdata site to see your boat. If I saw the correct one it is a classic with beautiful lines! For my opinion: change nothing that isn't worn out, broken, or useless. The aft slant of the rudder post ( if I was looking at the correct boat) would make mounting the quadrant and cables difficult and setting the binnacle and wheel upright would be an engineer's nightmare. Learn to sail the classic as it is because when you offer to sell it there will be more people interested in a classic boat that has all its regular parts. If the classic sailboat no longer suits you in a few years you can shop for a boat with a wheel and any other things you think you need then.

I forgot to ask.....Have you tried tieing the tiller up to the backstay to move most of it out of the cockpit?

 

[Saylor54]

Thank you , all , very much, for your advice, it's make lot of sense every thing you said , so I will keep the tiller like you said, I am glad I found this site and asked for your help , thanks.
31 Seahorse , the boat you saw should be my boat , It is the only one I saw around in this area, I did not tried tieing the tiller up to the backstay , will try it the next time we sail , may be this coming weekend , will let you know how goes.
Saylor54

 

[31seahorse]

Saylor54,
Just to clarify, I meant that you could tie the tiller up while you are at the dock or at anchor. Definitely not while actively sailing!

 

[williamtl]

thinking that will be more rum in the cockpit ,

Oh, come on. I know it's a typo, but shouldn't someone hit this out of the park. Ok, I'll do it: more rum in the cockpit is always better!

On a more serious note: when I'm having a party on board, as opposed to a sailing crew who want to go fast, I made a separate shorter tiller. It doesn't stick out into the cockpit at all so I don't have to worry about hitting someone sitting in the back of the cockpit. I kept the original and use it for performance sailing (you really do need the leverage) or sailing solo (need the reach and leverage).

 

[Ken Cross]

On a more serious note: when I'm having a party on board, as opposed to a sailing crew who want to go fast, I made a separate shorter tiller. It doesn't stick out into the cockpit at all so I don't have to worry about hitting someone sitting in the back of the cockpit. I kept the original and use it for performance sailing (you really do need the leverage) or sailing solo (need the reach and leverage).

Now that's a great idea.
Ken

 

[williamtl]

Ken, I made it out of a baseball bat which gets a lot of second looks. It didn't weather well, so I'm going to wrap it over the winter with some rope to make it look a tad more nautical.

For the frugal minded, I got the bat on sale and bought hardware at a big box store. Total investment to have a second tiller and conversation piece <$25.00.