Wheel Conversion

[Michael Stephens]

I am seriosly considering a wheel conversion on my Hunter 260. I have a couple of questions for those who may have done this already. (1.) What is the best way to get the around the toe rail in the center of the cockpit when installing the pedestal? Can I notch the riser or do I cut away the bump on the floor? (2.) How much room is lost in the gas locker with the cables there?Your help is greatly appreciated.Michael StephensS/V Pure Heaven

 

[Justin]

Have you priced this?

The company I work for used to sell Whitlock steering and we got scads of calls from small boat owners wanting to change to wheel. NEVER EVER did anyone actually go through with it. Have you priced a wheel steering system. It's going to be close to $2000 plus installation. When you are done you'll have less room in the cockpit and less feel of the rudder when sailing. Not to mention less space underneath the cockpit.Honestly and as sincerely as I know how if you must have a wheel steered boat sell your boat and buy a boat that already has wheel steering. You'll be far better off in the long run. Out of curiousity do any Hunter 260's come with wheels? Is the cockpit really big enough to even do this?

 

[Tom Hultberg]

Mine works great...

The previous owner of my 1997 H26 converted to a wheel and it is great. He had a dealer do it for him, and yes, they did cht out the toe rail to set the base of the Edson pedestal down. The cables are tucked in between the cockpit floor and the headliner in the main birth. Edson has a new system out for just this sort of conversion. It is doable and makes the cockpit alot roomier I would suspect, without having the tiller swinging thru the cockpit. Good luck.Tom

 

[Michael Stephens]

Cost

I have a qoute from Hunter for the parts, it was $2,165 including a whole new fiberglass piece for the cockpit floor. Edson qouted $1,900 for the parts and it looks like they may be a step up from the assembly Hunter offers. I intend to do this work myself. Still thinking....Thought I might hear from Crazy Dave on this one.Michael Stephens S/V Pure Heaven