This season, I purchased a grampian G26. It has a tiller and I was thinking of removing it and replacing it with a wheel assembly. To do that, I would need to move my traveler, which sits behind the base of the tiller (where it connects to the rudder). Has anyone done this before? Any advice? Any idea what this will cost? thanks for your help
- Status
Don't do it -
Check out the two main Grampian websites and do a search on that very topic. Not a good idea unless you enjoy self abuse. In fact, there is a complete Edson wheel steering set up for sale on the grampianowners.com website. The original owner removed it after using it for a short time. Many reasons for not installing a wheel. Many more reasons for using the tiller.
Check out the two main Grampian websites and do a search on that very topic. Not a good idea unless you enjoy self abuse. In fact, there is a complete Edson wheel steering set up for sale on the grampianowners.com website. The original owner removed it after using it for a short time. Many reasons for not installing a wheel. Many more reasons for using the tiller.
Here's why
A tiller is correct for a 26 because it provides more sensitive turning and takes up less space. A wheel would also look pretentious in terms of scale, but that's just a cosmetic opinion.
A tiller is correct for a 26 because it provides more sensitive turning and takes up less space. A wheel would also look pretentious in terms of scale, but that's just a cosmetic opinion.
stay put
Fletcher; My first boat, a Challenger 23, had a tiller. Once I got accustomed to it and figured out the auto pilot it was a good system and worked well. My latest boat is a 28 O'Day which has a wheel. To this day there are some features of the tiller I miss. The two main things about the tiller are (1) feel and sensitivity and (2) cockpit space. The wheel, while it looks cool adds complexity to the sailing process and is just one more thing to go wrong. I have been under the cockpit sole and the wheel system isn't something easy to install. If I were you and had my heart set on a wheel steered boat I'd put the tiller boat on the market and simply buy a wheel steered boat. Much easier than a conversion. Good Luck, Mike
Fletcher; My first boat, a Challenger 23, had a tiller. Once I got accustomed to it and figured out the auto pilot it was a good system and worked well. My latest boat is a 28 O'Day which has a wheel. To this day there are some features of the tiller I miss. The two main things about the tiller are (1) feel and sensitivity and (2) cockpit space. The wheel, while it looks cool adds complexity to the sailing process and is just one more thing to go wrong. I have been under the cockpit sole and the wheel system isn't something easy to install. If I were you and had my heart set on a wheel steered boat I'd put the tiller boat on the market and simply buy a wheel steered boat. Much easier than a conversion. Good Luck, Mike
Keep the tiller
The wheel is the only feature of our boat that I thought was appealing when buying it and now I would change it. On our 27' boat, the helmsman is virtually locked behind the wheel and can't gain easy access to anything else in the cockpit. Also, when kids and dogs are jumping in for a swim and coming out of the water via the stern ladder, the wheel is a major p.i.a. I've thought about taking the wheel out and converting to tiller, but I'm not sure what to do with the ugly hole that would be left in the floor of the cockpit. Besides, the seating is basically set up for a boat with a wheel. I think you are better off leaving the boat as designed, even if you think the grass may be greener on the other side.
The wheel is the only feature of our boat that I thought was appealing when buying it and now I would change it. On our 27' boat, the helmsman is virtually locked behind the wheel and can't gain easy access to anything else in the cockpit. Also, when kids and dogs are jumping in for a swim and coming out of the water via the stern ladder, the wheel is a major p.i.a. I've thought about taking the wheel out and converting to tiller, but I'm not sure what to do with the ugly hole that would be left in the floor of the cockpit. Besides, the seating is basically set up for a boat with a wheel. I think you are better off leaving the boat as designed, even if you think the grass may be greener on the other side.
tiller/wheel
Make yourself a number of tillers of different lengths. I have a long one for singlehanding,(steer with my knees when coming about), a somewhat shorter one when my wife is aboard and handles the jib, and an even shorter one for four in the cockpit, which in an h25 is about max. Very dry white oak is good with 5 or six coats of spar varnish holds up quite well. Hope this helps, Regards, Jim.
Make yourself a number of tillers of different lengths. I have a long one for singlehanding,(steer with my knees when coming about), a somewhat shorter one when my wife is aboard and handles the jib, and an even shorter one for four in the cockpit, which in an h25 is about max. Very dry white oak is good with 5 or six coats of spar varnish holds up quite well. Hope this helps, Regards, Jim.
tiller vs wheel - thanks for feedback
thanks for all your replies. I really like the tiller but find that when i get on boats with wheels (28, 30 and 46 ft boats), its easier for longer trips. I always loved the way you could feel the water and how you were sailing with a tiller, but find that I can do the same with a wheel. Plus, you can position the wheel and lock it and you can sail in a straight line w/o adjusting. I'd hae to tie my tiller down to do the same. I thought about refitting my boat with a wheel so i could maximize cockpit room for passengers, but from what i've seen, it looks like I'll gain some space w/the wheel, but loose other space and it is most likely not worth all the work and effort to do. thanks again Fletcher
thanks for all your replies. I really like the tiller but find that when i get on boats with wheels (28, 30 and 46 ft boats), its easier for longer trips. I always loved the way you could feel the water and how you were sailing with a tiller, but find that I can do the same with a wheel. Plus, you can position the wheel and lock it and you can sail in a straight line w/o adjusting. I'd hae to tie my tiller down to do the same. I thought about refitting my boat with a wheel so i could maximize cockpit room for passengers, but from what i've seen, it looks like I'll gain some space w/the wheel, but loose other space and it is most likely not worth all the work and effort to do. thanks again Fletcher
- Status