I have made the decision to move up to a 260 and am torn between tiller or wheel. It seems to me the wheel is harder to hold a course in heavier condions. I single hand sail alot also, any comments pro or con for either from owners.
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Sean Coerse
Tiller
I prefer the tiller on that size boat. You have a better feel. The tiller can also be pushed up in a vertical position while in the slip or on the hook to free up more cockpit space. It all comes down to personel opinion.
I prefer the tiller on that size boat. You have a better feel. The tiller can also be pushed up in a vertical position while in the slip or on the hook to free up more cockpit space. It all comes down to personel opinion.
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Dave Oberholtzer
wheel all the way
I have a H26 which origionally had a tiller and I have since installed a edison wheel(basically the same system as on the 260). I think the wheel is superior for many reasons. first I like steering from a wheel better and my wheel also has a friction lock to lock the wheel in any position which makes it easy for singlehanded sailing. I have never found it hard to steer in any condition and I once came into an inlet with 8ft rollers in a following sea and it worked ok. the other thing I really like about a wheel is everyone can steer. With a tiller some people would get confused on which way to move the tiller (I know it seems basic) but with a wheel everyone enjoys steering (especially my wife who would steer with the tiller but only if she had to but now she likes to be at the helm). good luck Dave Oberholtzer "Hydrotherapy"
I have a H26 which origionally had a tiller and I have since installed a edison wheel(basically the same system as on the 260). I think the wheel is superior for many reasons. first I like steering from a wheel better and my wheel also has a friction lock to lock the wheel in any position which makes it easy for singlehanded sailing. I have never found it hard to steer in any condition and I once came into an inlet with 8ft rollers in a following sea and it worked ok. the other thing I really like about a wheel is everyone can steer. With a tiller some people would get confused on which way to move the tiller (I know it seems basic) but with a wheel everyone enjoys steering (especially my wife who would steer with the tiller but only if she had to but now she likes to be at the helm). good luck Dave Oberholtzer "Hydrotherapy"
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Dan Ebert
Wife
Hey I was able to move up from a H240 to a wheel H260 because Wife wanted wheel steering. Why argue. I got a bigger boat with more room and extra goodies.
Hey I was able to move up from a H240 to a wheel H260 because Wife wanted wheel steering. Why argue. I got a bigger boat with more room and extra goodies.
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Been there
I would go with tiller ..
And a tiller extender. This lets the helm sit just about anywhere. It is a remarkable freedom. It is not hard to rig a friction brake for a tiller. And there is less to go wrong. I have never heard of a tiller cable jumping its sheave at a critical junction. As to other people steering .. let them. And let them steer wrong. They'll figure it out quite quickly. It's not rocket science. The main advantage of a wheel is to increase leverage when boats get big. Or when they are badly balanced. It unfortunate that the market now "expects" wheels in any boat approaching 30 feet. I think Hunter made a wise move by putting a tiller in the HC50.
And a tiller extender. This lets the helm sit just about anywhere. It is a remarkable freedom. It is not hard to rig a friction brake for a tiller. And there is less to go wrong. I have never heard of a tiller cable jumping its sheave at a critical junction. As to other people steering .. let them. And let them steer wrong. They'll figure it out quite quickly. It's not rocket science. The main advantage of a wheel is to increase leverage when boats get big. Or when they are badly balanced. It unfortunate that the market now "expects" wheels in any boat approaching 30 feet. I think Hunter made a wise move by putting a tiller in the HC50.
Tiller is responsive, but...
I think that this is really a preference thing, more feel in the tiller but you are not doing 135 mph so how cares unless you a racing. The main advantage is the space in the cockpit when you have guests aboard. Having had both I would not want a tiller again just because of the guest issue. They can help you get the boat into the wind easier when raising the sails and you are out of there way went the boat is underway.
I think that this is really a preference thing, more feel in the tiller but you are not doing 135 mph so how cares unless you a racing. The main advantage is the space in the cockpit when you have guests aboard. Having had both I would not want a tiller again just because of the guest issue. They can help you get the boat into the wind easier when raising the sails and you are out of there way went the boat is underway.
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Tony Z
I vote wheel
Based on your singlehanded sailing, I would vote for a small wheel( too big sucks up cocpit) with a brake to hold a rough course so you can let go for the short time it takes to make a few adjustments here and there.
Based on your singlehanded sailing, I would vote for a small wheel( too big sucks up cocpit) with a brake to hold a rough course so you can let go for the short time it takes to make a few adjustments here and there.
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Jay Hill
Another Set of Differences
HOW long are you out for? For extended periods of heavy weather, the tiller is exhausting; yes, you can put a tiller tamer on it, but unless you are in perfectly constant wind, a tamer doesn't work well. The answer to that is tiller autopilot. How much leverage you have over the weather helm is determined by the length of the tiller itself. (Of course, you can always change sail trim to better balance.) But with longer tiller you get less cockpit. Leverage rules apply to the wheel as well; the bigger diameter, the more leverage; with my monster 42" destroyer wheel on the H31, it is never difficult to steer the boat. Obviously, a 42" wheel has no place on a 26' boat. OTOH, the H33 wheel is IMHO, too small; very difficult to steer the boat in gusts above balanced sails. Wheel pedestals also make cockpit cleaning a royal pain on a smaller boat. 26' is at the edge of the decision. I have a C25 with transom mounted rudder with tiller and an H25 with post mounted rudder with the top of the rudder post inside the cockpit. To get four people in the cockpit of the H25, I actually had to cut 10" off the tiller and that of course, reduces leverage. The C25 transom mounted rudder allows a long tiller without too much cockpit intrusion; I can get 5 people in the cockpit with original length tiller. Just information; hope it helps you make a decision.
HOW long are you out for? For extended periods of heavy weather, the tiller is exhausting; yes, you can put a tiller tamer on it, but unless you are in perfectly constant wind, a tamer doesn't work well. The answer to that is tiller autopilot. How much leverage you have over the weather helm is determined by the length of the tiller itself. (Of course, you can always change sail trim to better balance.) But with longer tiller you get less cockpit. Leverage rules apply to the wheel as well; the bigger diameter, the more leverage; with my monster 42" destroyer wheel on the H31, it is never difficult to steer the boat. Obviously, a 42" wheel has no place on a 26' boat. OTOH, the H33 wheel is IMHO, too small; very difficult to steer the boat in gusts above balanced sails. Wheel pedestals also make cockpit cleaning a royal pain on a smaller boat. 26' is at the edge of the decision. I have a C25 with transom mounted rudder with tiller and an H25 with post mounted rudder with the top of the rudder post inside the cockpit. To get four people in the cockpit of the H25, I actually had to cut 10" off the tiller and that of course, reduces leverage. The C25 transom mounted rudder allows a long tiller without too much cockpit intrusion; I can get 5 people in the cockpit with original length tiller. Just information; hope it helps you make a decision.
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Tom
Go for the wheel!
Like folks say, it is a preference thing more than anything. I went with the wheel because: 1) It looks better than a tiller (my opinion). 2) I have motor controls on the pedestal just like the "big boats" 3) Other accessories like binacle compass, fold down cockpit table, yada, yada... Tom (like they say, BOAT = Break Out Another Thousand)
Like folks say, it is a preference thing more than anything. I went with the wheel because: 1) It looks better than a tiller (my opinion). 2) I have motor controls on the pedestal just like the "big boats" 3) Other accessories like binacle compass, fold down cockpit table, yada, yada... Tom (like they say, BOAT = Break Out Another Thousand)
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chris sammons
Tiller all the way
My personal opinion is for the tiller, I say this because my h26 is water ballest and when racing (and we all do) the h26/260 requires good boat trim. One of the ways we do this is to move your weight forward as much as practical. You just can't get the same affect with a wheel. Whatever you get i am sure you will love it the 26 is a great boat.
My personal opinion is for the tiller, I say this because my h26 is water ballest and when racing (and we all do) the h26/260 requires good boat trim. One of the ways we do this is to move your weight forward as much as practical. You just can't get the same affect with a wheel. Whatever you get i am sure you will love it the 26 is a great boat.
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Larry Barnes
Practically speaking,"Tiller for the 26/260"
The thought of a wheel and pedestal with compass and controls is very tempting and I certainly would love the look of it. Definately the big boat feel. I want one! What would I give up: 1. Flexability to properly ballast the boat for performance (helmsan sitting too far astearn, most of the time). 2. Useable space in the cockpit and awkward access from the stearn when boarding. 3. The feedback from the rudder for trimming hull and sails 4. Simplicity, maintenance and economy. The boat isn't heavy enough to require the mechanical advantage of a wheel so I think that with your savings you could purchase a tiller autopilot and really be able to enjoy the freedom of your boat. You'd still have some cash to get some other goodies I bet. No matter what you choose I know you're going to love and that's what really counts. See ya on the H2O! Larry Barnes
The thought of a wheel and pedestal with compass and controls is very tempting and I certainly would love the look of it. Definately the big boat feel. I want one! What would I give up: 1. Flexability to properly ballast the boat for performance (helmsan sitting too far astearn, most of the time). 2. Useable space in the cockpit and awkward access from the stearn when boarding. 3. The feedback from the rudder for trimming hull and sails 4. Simplicity, maintenance and economy. The boat isn't heavy enough to require the mechanical advantage of a wheel so I think that with your savings you could purchase a tiller autopilot and really be able to enjoy the freedom of your boat. You'd still have some cash to get some other goodies I bet. No matter what you choose I know you're going to love and that's what really counts. See ya on the H2O! Larry Barnes
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Dave Condon
Wheel or not to wheel is the question
Many people like the wheel option on the Hunter 260. Many like it for several reasons. First, it steers like a car which is helpfule to the new sailors. Secondly, there is no tiller that shifts side to side when tacking. On the other hand, the cost of the boat is less with the tiller and you can with experience feel the wind shifts a little quicker reacting a little faster than the wheel. When all said and done, I prefer the wheel for the room and ease. It is a matter of preference. I should know as I have logged more time than anyone else on this boat. By the way, I converted a tiller 260 once. At 1 a.m. on Saturday morning, i was upside down past my waistline with my head in the gas locker stuck. It took an hour wigglingmy buzzle butt out of the locker. I wish I had a cold beer for pulling that stunt but the worst was when I got home and my better half jumped my behind for getting stuck. She said my nickname was very real. Crazy Dave out in the wild blue yonder
Many people like the wheel option on the Hunter 260. Many like it for several reasons. First, it steers like a car which is helpfule to the new sailors. Secondly, there is no tiller that shifts side to side when tacking. On the other hand, the cost of the boat is less with the tiller and you can with experience feel the wind shifts a little quicker reacting a little faster than the wheel. When all said and done, I prefer the wheel for the room and ease. It is a matter of preference. I should know as I have logged more time than anyone else on this boat. By the way, I converted a tiller 260 once. At 1 a.m. on Saturday morning, i was upside down past my waistline with my head in the gas locker stuck. It took an hour wigglingmy buzzle butt out of the locker. I wish I had a cold beer for pulling that stunt but the worst was when I got home and my better half jumped my behind for getting stuck. She said my nickname was very real. Crazy Dave out in the wild blue yonder
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Dennis Brewer
WHEEL
Actually, it probably depends on how you intend to use the boat. Since the cabin resembles a dancehall with a huge table, one can conclude that the H26/260 was not designed as a racer. However, people even race turtles. The wheel on our H26 gives us a spacious cockpit that always impresses fellow sailboat owners. I can't imagine the tiller giving much more 'feel' than I get through the wheel. One H26 I know of has a large wheel with the quick release nut and stern rail seat wheel holder. I have plenty of room even without that. We also enjoy the teak table mounted on the pedestal guard.
Actually, it probably depends on how you intend to use the boat. Since the cabin resembles a dancehall with a huge table, one can conclude that the H26/260 was not designed as a racer. However, people even race turtles. The wheel on our H26 gives us a spacious cockpit that always impresses fellow sailboat owners. I can't imagine the tiller giving much more 'feel' than I get through the wheel. One H26 I know of has a large wheel with the quick release nut and stern rail seat wheel holder. I have plenty of room even without that. We also enjoy the teak table mounted on the pedestal guard.
Go for the wheel if you can afford it!
The choice comes down to what works for you. Having sailed both, I feel that tillers are for smaller boats (simpler, lighter, allows skipper to use his/her weight to help control heel) and wheels are for bigger cruising boats (30 ft+) where placement of crew weight in the cockpit is not critical and the mechanical advantage helps. That being said, I think the wheel is the way to go if you plan to invite inexperienced guests out for a sail on your 260. It is easier for a rookie to get the hang of steering with a wheel than with a tiller, so by actually participating in the sail, your guest will quickly gain confidence and can relax and enjoy the outing. This means a positive experience for them (and maybe even some extra points for you). Isn't that the reason why you decided to share one of your favorite things in life with your friend/boss/client/date? Have fun!! Peter s/v Raven
The choice comes down to what works for you. Having sailed both, I feel that tillers are for smaller boats (simpler, lighter, allows skipper to use his/her weight to help control heel) and wheels are for bigger cruising boats (30 ft+) where placement of crew weight in the cockpit is not critical and the mechanical advantage helps. That being said, I think the wheel is the way to go if you plan to invite inexperienced guests out for a sail on your 260. It is easier for a rookie to get the hang of steering with a wheel than with a tiller, so by actually participating in the sail, your guest will quickly gain confidence and can relax and enjoy the outing. This means a positive experience for them (and maybe even some extra points for you). Isn't that the reason why you decided to share one of your favorite things in life with your friend/boss/client/date? Have fun!! Peter s/v Raven
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