changing from a tiller to a wheel steering

[Ron Culbreath]

I am looking at converting to a wheel steering on my 1979 30'catalina. How difficult is the process? Also which manufacture of wheel steeing is the best quality.Thanks, Ron

 

[Alan]

WHY???

A tiller gives way better touch than a wheel and takes up much less room in the cockpit. I would gladly give up my wheel in a heartbeat for a tiller.

 

[Derek Rowell]

Edson

Edson used to sell the parts to retofit wheels - haven't checked recently. http://www.edsonmarine.com

 

[larry w.]

to wheel, that is the ?

Ron; I think switching to a wheel would be a mistake. At 30ft. the boat is not big enough to require the mechanical advantage of a wheel, and like Alan says, you get better feedback from a tiller, plus, when you're on the hook, the tiller can be set to the side or lifted up, freeing up a lot of room. I had wheel steering on my C-30 and there were plenty of times I wished it had a tiller instead.

 

[Arlyn Stewart]

standing exercise

I have to agree with those who advocate leaving as is with exception. If cruising without adequate off the boat time, then a wheel can be a great benefit for skipper and crew giving the needed standing exercise.Having said that, I note your question is not whether you should consider the wheel or not but rather for advice of which unit. I'm thinking I would do the research to expose the intrinsics of the settup on the C30. Edson probably has a drawing of that installation, ask for it. Compare it to the hardware offered by any competition.I would not consider a system that uses flexible sheathed cables. They are prone to play and drag... I just went through the process of conversion to open cables which provide far better steering control.