I know, I know no one has probably done it ,and it seesm crazt to put that much money in a smallboat, but the tiller becomes a problem when Ihave three inexperienced adults on board with me. When I was Seattle,I saw small boats (not Hunter 240's) with a "gear box" wheel. You sit on topof the gear box (you straddle it) and the wheelis in front of you is this usually a custom job ???
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Frank Ladd
Let me count the reasons
There are so many reasons for not trying to make your boat steer like a car and I'll do my best to convince you by listing a few. 1) no sheet to tiller steering. To get you boat to follow the wind you'll have to install a $4000 windvane. For sheet to tiller steering you need a couple of blocks and some bungee cord totaling less than $100. 2) no tiller pilot. you'll need to install a wheel autopilot which costs about $1000 to $2000 more and uses much more power so you'll need to add more batteries and upgrade the wiring. 3) more parts to break. All the big boats come equiped with an emergency tiller system because they know the wheel steering will break and if you dont have a backup you may lose the boat. These things usually break during a bad storm. 4) Harder to sail well. The wheel offers little feedback on the trim of the sails and the balance of the boat. That is why many of the new racing boats up to 50 feet are coming with tillers so the skipper can sail the boat and get the sails trimmed for the best speed. If you have new sailors with you then remind them that airplanes, helicopters, and sailboats are not at all like a car so they don't have steering wheels. Spend your money on a nice tiller pilot if they dont want to learn how to sail and you can all sit back, relax, and enjoy the nice queit boat ride.
There are so many reasons for not trying to make your boat steer like a car and I'll do my best to convince you by listing a few. 1) no sheet to tiller steering. To get you boat to follow the wind you'll have to install a $4000 windvane. For sheet to tiller steering you need a couple of blocks and some bungee cord totaling less than $100. 2) no tiller pilot. you'll need to install a wheel autopilot which costs about $1000 to $2000 more and uses much more power so you'll need to add more batteries and upgrade the wiring. 3) more parts to break. All the big boats come equiped with an emergency tiller system because they know the wheel steering will break and if you dont have a backup you may lose the boat. These things usually break during a bad storm. 4) Harder to sail well. The wheel offers little feedback on the trim of the sails and the balance of the boat. That is why many of the new racing boats up to 50 feet are coming with tillers so the skipper can sail the boat and get the sails trimmed for the best speed. If you have new sailors with you then remind them that airplanes, helicopters, and sailboats are not at all like a car so they don't have steering wheels. Spend your money on a nice tiller pilot if they dont want to learn how to sail and you can all sit back, relax, and enjoy the nice queit boat ride.
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Norm Maguire
Tiller vs. Wheel
Don, good question as I have been contempleting the cost-space-benefit of converting to wheel steering. You did not mention why a wheel is necessary when you have inexperienced crew onboard. Do they not understand tiller steering? I agree with Frank that you should just explain to them that a sailboat steers differently than a car. It's one of the finer deatils of this sport. I have been considering the wheel for my 1993 Hunter 19 due to the limited cockpit space. The boat is new to me this year so I am still feeling it out. If I have more than 4 adults on board(plus my two dogs-hence the boat's name-Tail Wind), space is at a premium. If it is the space issue, you shoud consider adding the seats to the rear lifeline railing if you do not have them already. I have convinced myself that that would be a good solution to the space issue on my boat. If anyone has other suggestions on this, they would be much appreciated. Crazy Dave, any ideas?
Don, good question as I have been contempleting the cost-space-benefit of converting to wheel steering. You did not mention why a wheel is necessary when you have inexperienced crew onboard. Do they not understand tiller steering? I agree with Frank that you should just explain to them that a sailboat steers differently than a car. It's one of the finer deatils of this sport. I have been considering the wheel for my 1993 Hunter 19 due to the limited cockpit space. The boat is new to me this year so I am still feeling it out. If I have more than 4 adults on board(plus my two dogs-hence the boat's name-Tail Wind), space is at a premium. If it is the space issue, you shoud consider adding the seats to the rear lifeline railing if you do not have them already. I have convinced myself that that would be a good solution to the space issue on my boat. If anyone has other suggestions on this, they would be much appreciated. Crazy Dave, any ideas?
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Chuck
See my pics
I put a wheel on my H22. Pics are on this site. Look under pics of Hunter 22s. I like the wheel. I don't race which is where the tiller has a bit of an edge. But if all you do is cruise, the wheel rocks. It makes coming into a dock a hell of a lot easier. You'll notice how I set up the "short tiller" for my system, it allows you to pop the old tiller on in seconds. Which works well cause I had a cable pop loose (teething problem) and was under full sail at the time. Scary yes, but easily fixed. I bought all the parts, pedastal and wheel from salvage and bought some good harken pulleys and some SS plastic coated cable. Total price: $400.00. Not bad.
I put a wheel on my H22. Pics are on this site. Look under pics of Hunter 22s. I like the wheel. I don't race which is where the tiller has a bit of an edge. But if all you do is cruise, the wheel rocks. It makes coming into a dock a hell of a lot easier. You'll notice how I set up the "short tiller" for my system, it allows you to pop the old tiller on in seconds. Which works well cause I had a cable pop loose (teething problem) and was under full sail at the time. Scary yes, but easily fixed. I bought all the parts, pedastal and wheel from salvage and bought some good harken pulleys and some SS plastic coated cable. Total price: $400.00. Not bad.
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Dpkovacs@optonline.net
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Don
Frank
I agree with all of those things Frank,when my wife and I are the only ones on board. Unfortunately,I live in and area that constantly shifts wind (Hudson Valley),and trying to get some folks (relatives)tomove so that I can shift the tiller...proves to take the fun out of it... But they're relatives...gotta figure out some way to make it fun for everyone.
I agree with all of those things Frank,when my wife and I are the only ones on board. Unfortunately,I live in and area that constantly shifts wind (Hudson Valley),and trying to get some folks (relatives)tomove so that I can shift the tiller...proves to take the fun out of it... But they're relatives...gotta figure out some way to make it fun for everyone.
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Jeff Peltier
Amusing comments
It's always entertaining to listen to comments from people who haven't used one or the other. Modern wheels can be very low maintenance. Racing with a wheel is as competitive as a tiller, although hamhanded skippers might not be able to feel the groove as easily. I seem to finish at or near the top of the fleet, weather I'm using a wheel or tiller. Clearly, pleasure sailing with inexperienced sailors that can't or don't want to move out of the way, is much easier with a wheel. Single handling can be as easy with either choice, weather you have an autopilot or not. Jeff Peltier
It's always entertaining to listen to comments from people who haven't used one or the other. Modern wheels can be very low maintenance. Racing with a wheel is as competitive as a tiller, although hamhanded skippers might not be able to feel the groove as easily. I seem to finish at or near the top of the fleet, weather I'm using a wheel or tiller. Clearly, pleasure sailing with inexperienced sailors that can't or don't want to move out of the way, is much easier with a wheel. Single handling can be as easy with either choice, weather you have an autopilot or not. Jeff Peltier
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Frank Ladd
Jeff you are so superior
Just call me ham handed. By the way I'd love to see your sheet to wheel steering rig. The experience I'm speaking from is the Hunter 260 as that is the only boat I've sailed with both tiller and a wheel. Few boats are offered with both, but given the choice I'd still prefer the wheel every time.
Just call me ham handed. By the way I'd love to see your sheet to wheel steering rig. The experience I'm speaking from is the Hunter 260 as that is the only boat I've sailed with both tiller and a wheel. Few boats are offered with both, but given the choice I'd still prefer the wheel every time.
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