Possibly a split back stay
Hi There, you know I don't know this for sure but I beleive you can make the installation and get the standing room you want by installing a split backstay. Also I remember some years ago a freind in Florida did it, but also had to re-enforce the cockpit sole underneath so it would handle the weight and stress. Seems to me that a 1-1/2" framework resembling a a box made of oak or alder was used then laminated to the inside bottom of the hull and glassed over and laminated to the underside of the cockpit sole for added strength and support for the pedestal. Edson streering was installed with a teak wheel instead of stainless. Just a footnote here, he also kept the tiller although not attached in the boat in case of an emergency. He did have to shorten the tiller handle because of the pedestal being in the way. I also heard that there was another conversion made where the wheel did not mount to a pedestal at all but was mounted to the inside rear wall of the cockpit. Thus it was a rack and pinion setup directly mounted to the inside of the stern below the cockpit sole. I wish I could remember who made that conversion because to me it took up far less room in the cockpit. Amazing what a little ingenuity can do. Anyway it was made mostly of stainlees steel, and bronze. Well hope this helps Dave LaPere
