Steering wheell
- Thread starter Cmirpuri
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Thanks. being new to sailing, could you detail the cons of a Wheel, compared to a tiller on a 31.7?
Thanks
CM
Thanks
CM
It MIGHT be possible, but there are big tradeoffs.
First, the cockpit of the boat was designed for a tiller. two full length seats make little room for a large wheel. A cockpit designed for a wheel will have a T arrangement that allows the lower part of the wheel to pass. You would need a large wheel because the transom is wide and while performance driving you will want too be sitting on the rail.
Second, that length boat is perfect for tiller steering. Awesome feel.
Third, the install work will take room from the lower aft cabin.
Why do you want a wheel?
First, the cockpit of the boat was designed for a tiller. two full length seats make little room for a large wheel. A cockpit designed for a wheel will have a T arrangement that allows the lower part of the wheel to pass. You would need a large wheel because the transom is wide and while performance driving you will want too be sitting on the rail.
Second, that length boat is perfect for tiller steering. Awesome feel.
Third, the install work will take room from the lower aft cabin.
Why do you want a wheel?
Thanks. In fact I am biased by too many years of motor boat driving, and also imagined that using a tiller standing up could be difficult (mooring activities). But I guess I will take your advise. Regards
Cmirpuri,
That's understandable. Most of the tiller driving on that boat will be done sitting on the windward coaming. After a day that will feel totally natural! For mooring, the tiller pivots up at the base, and you can stand on the centerline and drive in total control.
Didn't mean to try and talk you out of your idea of a wheel. You'd be happy with that for sure. But there are trade offs. I suggest that you give the tiller a fair shake, and then look into the conversion process if it seem more natural. But try and drive a wheel boat first.
In the end, it's all a about you enjoying your boat.
That's understandable. Most of the tiller driving on that boat will be done sitting on the windward coaming. After a day that will feel totally natural! For mooring, the tiller pivots up at the base, and you can stand on the centerline and drive in total control.
Didn't mean to try and talk you out of your idea of a wheel. You'd be happy with that for sure. But there are trade offs. I suggest that you give the tiller a fair shake, and then look into the conversion process if it seem more natural. But try and drive a wheel boat first.
In the end, it's all a about you enjoying your boat.
Re: Steering wheel
A wheel will fit, but just barely. As another poster noted, the cockpit was designed for a tiller and it does get a little cramped with a the addition of a wheel. I have a 310 which is very similar to a 31.7. My boat has a wheel and I often wish it had a tiller because of the cramped cockpit. The conversion back to tiller might be too painful, though.
The wheel installation does take a little bit of room from the aft cabin, but it is out of the way and not enough to be a deal killer, at least for me it wouldn't be.
A wheel will fit, but just barely. As another poster noted, the cockpit was designed for a tiller and it does get a little cramped with a the addition of a wheel. I have a 310 which is very similar to a 31.7. My boat has a wheel and I often wish it had a tiller because of the cramped cockpit. The conversion back to tiller might be too painful, though.
The wheel installation does take a little bit of room from the aft cabin, but it is out of the way and not enough to be a deal killer, at least for me it wouldn't be.
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