Going back to tiller steering

[Grateful Dad]

Last year I purchased a '77 Hunter 27 that has an Edson pedestal for steering. I'm not very keen on it because it takes up a lot of room, I'm not always clear on rudder angle when manuevering, and in general it doesn't make me feel as in-tune to the boat as I have felt in previous boats with a tiller. Has anyone ever converted back to a tiller in a similar boat? It appears that the tiller mount moves when I turn the wheel so I think that mechanically it should work. I know cosmetically I'll have a new "inspection port" but are there other issues or concerns I should be aware of? Thanks

 

[Steve O.]

I wouldn't do it

It will negatively affect the resale value of the boat, unless you re-instll the wheel steering before you sell.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Don't understand you not knowing rudder position

If "It appears that the tiller mount moves when I turn the wheel," how come you don't know? I agree with Steve, but what the heck, it's your boat, your choice.

 

[Waffle]

Smart

Make sure you plug you the rudder shaft hole!

 

[Grateful Dad]

The tiller mount is behind you

when you are facing the wheel. Yes, I can turn around and look at it but that is just another distraction. I should have also mentioned that the engine controls, which were intended for use with a tiller, are monted forward of the wheel. Right now I have to stand forward of the wheel and reach back to steer and down and forward to control the engine. Now add looking back at the tiller mount to get rudder angle and manueving becomes really stressfull.So it seems that my options are to either go back to tiller (alleviates all of the previously mentioned issues) or move the engine controls to the pedestal (alleviates one issue). I'm not very concerned about resale value but I agree it will be impacted.

 

[Waffle]

Dad, people put

piece of rope, string or tape on top of the wheel when the rudder is straight. You shoud give up the idea of going back to tiller. Not worth the trouble. You you be better off buying a tiller boat and selling this one.

 

[Mike]

I'm with you Dad

I'm with you Dad. Assuming the boat is small enough, I much prefer a tiller to wheel steering. Did you check the archives of this site to see if there have been other postings on this topic? I know that there are plenty of the reverse (tiller to wheel) posts. If the boat originally came with tiller steering or if the factory offered it as an option, Hunter should be able to help you out by providing plans of the factory installation. One of the big advantages of buying a used boat whose manufacturer is still in business.

 

[Tim R.]

Go with the tiller

I loved the tiller on my Pearson 28. I now have an Ericson 35 and I am having a lot of trouble adjusting even with the king-spoke marked. There is no feel. I would go back to the tiller without doing anything permanent. keep all the parts so they can be reinstalled.Another solution to make living with a wheel a little easier: Make it removable so it can be hung on the liflines or pushpit when not in use.Two positive notes: Motoring with the wheel is much nicer and you do not have to worry about guest fouling the tiller while sailing.Tim R.

 

[Stu Jackson]

For those of you having difficulty w/wheels

and claiming you lost "the feel," you may want to consider trying to use the wheel like a tiller by getting away from standing behind the wheel. Try sitting on the coaming to the SIDE of the wheel, set your sails properly and get in and stay in the "groove" by only using light finger touch on the side of the wheel or a single spoke.And don't ever forget to steer only "spoke by spoke." Most people new to wheels over steer.PS Had a C22 for 5 years, a C25 for 11 years with tillers, now have a wheel for the past eight years. Very little difference if you learn how to use the equipment.PPS and for Dad, you may also want to consider forgetting about where all the indicators to rudder position are located, and steer the boat. I do not mean to be offensive, just a little reality. The reason is that the ONLY time I find I actually NEED to know where the rudder is is when I'm starting off in reverse. You have an advantage over most wheel folks, whose rudder indicators are hidden underneath deck plates. Think of it as an advantage.

 

[Tim R.]

BTDT

I do steer from the side and with a light touch. I sit on the lee side so I can watch my telltales. I hold the wheel in the upper quadrant which is reverse of what a tiller will do. Push to windward and pull to leeward. I have been going the wrong way. My Problem is that I do not have enough time to make it second nature.PS You will never get the same amount feedback from a wheel than you get from a tiller. If you are racing and ignoring the rudder position, you will lose.Tim R.

 

[Roger Jones]

Edson Wheel

A previous owner installed an Edson Wheel. It had a single cable to turn the rudder. That cable needed to be replaced. I could not get it to work right. I removed the wheel and installed the Tiller and have no regrets. I did sell the Edson wheel. I think they need a two cable system to work well. This one depended on the cable covering to handle the steering similar to a bike brake. The cable needs to be serviced frequently, an expensive proposition. My boat is a MAC 26S.

 

[Ross]

Learn to tie a turks head around the spoke

and wheel when the rudder is centered. That way you know where the wheel/rudder is at all times. On my boat the motion of the wheel is the same as I would get with a twelve foot tiller. The boat balances very well and rarely needs more than a light nudge to hold course.I would move the engine controls up to the pedestal.

 

[Grateful Dad]

I would consider selling it

if I do decide to remove it. It will be an over the winter project if I do it. So if you don't find one by then, it may be available. Thanks.