According to this website: http://southcoastus.8m.net/sc26.html it was an option. There was also an option for an inboard engine, which while interesting kills some storage space plans.I'm surprised to see a steering wheel there. I assumed with the transom hung rudder, it would be a tiller. This may have been converted. I checked back on sailboatdata.com and it does show it as a tiller. I would seriously consider converting it back. A wheel on that size boat is a lot in the way in the cockpit. At least you'll want to take the wheel off at anchor if in fact you are going to do that.