I am in the process of ordering a new Hunter 260. Has anyone found any advantages of having a wheel vs a tiller? With the wheel so large it seems to me that having a tiller would be a plus in the cockpit. Thanks in advance!
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Wheel
I am sure you will get many opinions from the purists about the benefits of a tiller as far as responsiveness, but my vote is for the wheel. Until this boat I always had tillers. What I found is that the 260's Edson wheel is very responsive, and does not detract from the steering precision. But the main benefit is the cockpit space. That wheel is fairly small and with six people in the cockpit you can tack without moving anybody. The same exercise with a tiller would not result in a very smooth operation! Another plus is the effort required to steer close hauled is very minimum, even with the boat heeled and fighting weatherhelm. In that stituation I am stitting on one of the benches and steer with only a couple of fingers hooked in the wheel. I have never got tired so far like I used to with tillers.
I am sure you will get many opinions from the purists about the benefits of a tiller as far as responsiveness, but my vote is for the wheel. Until this boat I always had tillers. What I found is that the 260's Edson wheel is very responsive, and does not detract from the steering precision. But the main benefit is the cockpit space. That wheel is fairly small and with six people in the cockpit you can tack without moving anybody. The same exercise with a tiller would not result in a very smooth operation! Another plus is the effort required to steer close hauled is very minimum, even with the boat heeled and fighting weatherhelm. In that stituation I am stitting on one of the benches and steer with only a couple of fingers hooked in the wheel. I have never got tired so far like I used to with tillers.
Wheel
I thought I would miss having a tiller when we got our 260, but I am liking it a lot. The number one benefit is that if there is a problem and something needs to be fixed, I can turn the wheel over to just about anyone and they can drive, while I fix whatever problem may be at hand. IMPORTANT: Don't turn it over to your 3 year old son, while you work the sheets in a tacking maneuver, however. You don't want to find out how strong a grip they can have on the wheel). As Denis said, you don't have to have people shift around when your tacking and it doesn't take a lot of effor to keep things under control. I suspect there are some physics involved with the linkage and pulleys that handle some of the work so you don't have to. I'm not very familiar with tiller autopilots, (last boat had one, but I never used it), but I find the wheel autopilot very easy to use. Flip the locking lever, and hit the autopilot button and its set. Release the lock and press manual on the control and you're back in control. The only negative I've seen so far is that people tend to use the wheel for support when moving around the cockpit. Their is also the possiblity of the linkage breaking. But then you just put the emergency tiller on the ruder and you're in control again.
I thought I would miss having a tiller when we got our 260, but I am liking it a lot. The number one benefit is that if there is a problem and something needs to be fixed, I can turn the wheel over to just about anyone and they can drive, while I fix whatever problem may be at hand. IMPORTANT: Don't turn it over to your 3 year old son, while you work the sheets in a tacking maneuver, however. You don't want to find out how strong a grip they can have on the wheel). As Denis said, you don't have to have people shift around when your tacking and it doesn't take a lot of effor to keep things under control. I suspect there are some physics involved with the linkage and pulleys that handle some of the work so you don't have to. I'm not very familiar with tiller autopilots, (last boat had one, but I never used it), but I find the wheel autopilot very easy to use. Flip the locking lever, and hit the autopilot button and its set. Release the lock and press manual on the control and you're back in control. The only negative I've seen so far is that people tend to use the wheel for support when moving around the cockpit. Their is also the possiblity of the linkage breaking. But then you just put the emergency tiller on the ruder and you're in control again.
Tiller
I had a 260 for about 4 months. I ordered it new with the edson wheel but traded it in on a 36 because it was too small for a family of 5 to cruise in. I wished it had a tiller for several reasons, althouth I never actually sailed one with a tiller. I found the wheel to be in the way when trying to get up to the jib winches for tacking single handed. I hated having to stand behind the wheel to steer because there isn't any room to move around between the wheel and the seat. The helm seat is too low to use and the wheel too small to comfortably steer from one of the side benches. With a tiller and extension one could sit back on the side bench or stern rail seat and drive comfortably. Finally, the cockpit is just too small for the pedestal. The boat was designed for a tiller and I suspect it is the best choice. I spent a lot of money on the pedestal and edson outboard engine controls, and while it is nice to have the controls up there, I simply don't think the set up is worth the cost. That said, we had a lot of fun on the boat which is very responsive and fast. I only wish it had a traveler.
I had a 260 for about 4 months. I ordered it new with the edson wheel but traded it in on a 36 because it was too small for a family of 5 to cruise in. I wished it had a tiller for several reasons, althouth I never actually sailed one with a tiller. I found the wheel to be in the way when trying to get up to the jib winches for tacking single handed. I hated having to stand behind the wheel to steer because there isn't any room to move around between the wheel and the seat. The helm seat is too low to use and the wheel too small to comfortably steer from one of the side benches. With a tiller and extension one could sit back on the side bench or stern rail seat and drive comfortably. Finally, the cockpit is just too small for the pedestal. The boat was designed for a tiller and I suspect it is the best choice. I spent a lot of money on the pedestal and edson outboard engine controls, and while it is nice to have the controls up there, I simply don't think the set up is worth the cost. That said, we had a lot of fun on the boat which is very responsive and fast. I only wish it had a traveler.
Wheel!
We currently have an H27 with wheel steering. Previously we had a catalina with a tiller. We love the wheel steering for all of the reasons stated below. Would have a hard time going back to a tiller. Chris
We currently have an H27 with wheel steering. Previously we had a catalina with a tiller. We love the wheel steering for all of the reasons stated below. Would have a hard time going back to a tiller. Chris
Go for th wheel
I've enjoyed having the wheel on my 260, check to make sure they provide a wheel lock kit. Mine did not come with one, I added later. If you will be single handing it makes it possible to do other adjustments while maintaining direction. Good luck on your hunt.
I've enjoyed having the wheel on my 260, check to make sure they provide a wheel lock kit. Mine did not come with one, I added later. If you will be single handing it makes it possible to do other adjustments while maintaining direction. Good luck on your hunt.
Tiller
is hard to handle on this boat in winds of any strength because the boat tends to round up. It takes all your body weight to hold the tiller and then it's a loosing proposition some times. Can't compare it to the wheel, but I suggest that you sail both before ordering.
is hard to handle on this boat in winds of any strength because the boat tends to round up. It takes all your body weight to hold the tiller and then it's a loosing proposition some times. Can't compare it to the wheel, but I suggest that you sail both before ordering.
Wheel
My last boat was a Catalina 25 with a tiller. I now have a 260 with a wheel. I am very pleased with the wheel. It allows for more space for people in the cockpit. Be sure to get a wheel brake. It will allow you to leave the wheel unattended for brief periods to adjust a sheet or attend to other matters. Another big plus for me is that when you have a tiller, you tend to sit at an angle between the tiller and forward. This always made my back sore. With the wheel you face forward and I am much more comfortable with that.
My last boat was a Catalina 25 with a tiller. I now have a 260 with a wheel. I am very pleased with the wheel. It allows for more space for people in the cockpit. Be sure to get a wheel brake. It will allow you to leave the wheel unattended for brief periods to adjust a sheet or attend to other matters. Another big plus for me is that when you have a tiller, you tend to sit at an angle between the tiller and forward. This always made my back sore. With the wheel you face forward and I am much more comfortable with that.
You need to try both
Many people prefer the feel of a tiller over a wheel. You should try both and figure out what is best for your sailing tastes. I've sailed boats with both and my personal preference is a tiller. your mileage may vary
Many people prefer the feel of a tiller over a wheel. You should try both and figure out what is best for your sailing tastes. I've sailed boats with both and my personal preference is a tiller. your mileage may vary
Tiller
boats too small of for a wheel. The only time I've had to fight the tiller is when the rudder has kicked up a bit. Otherwise the tiller is just as easy to handle when rounding up as it is at 10 degrees. That wheel takes up a lot of room in the cockpit. We also love to swing the tiller out of the way when anchored or docked. That creates a lot of room to move around and relax. My vote is for the tiller.
boats too small of for a wheel. The only time I've had to fight the tiller is when the rudder has kicked up a bit. Otherwise the tiller is just as easy to handle when rounding up as it is at 10 degrees. That wheel takes up a lot of room in the cockpit. We also love to swing the tiller out of the way when anchored or docked. That creates a lot of room to move around and relax. My vote is for the tiller.
I've sailed both in the 260/26...
...and I like the wheel, for all the reasons stated. Loss of some room more than made up cause you don't need to push any one out of the way to tack without wacking their knees. True you loose the feel for balance of sail plan (but can't do too much about that as only a 100% jib fits) and it's difficult to pilot from the stern rail seats. alan
...and I like the wheel, for all the reasons stated. Loss of some room more than made up cause you don't need to push any one out of the way to tack without wacking their knees. True you loose the feel for balance of sail plan (but can't do too much about that as only a 100% jib fits) and it's difficult to pilot from the stern rail seats. alan
Tiller and wheel advantages
Lots of good benefits of the wheel listed. One that was not listed is that the wheel keeps the helmsman out of the way of the elbows or the crew while they crank winches and run the boat. I thought I'd list some tiller benefits. A tiller is more robust because it has few parts and is less copmplicated and expensive. This is why many larger boats with a wheel come with an emergency tiller set up. A tiller offers better feed back. If it is too hard to handler it is telling you that you will sail faster with reduced sail. An autopilot for a tiller boat costs 300 to 500 dollars...auto pilots for wheeled boats cost 800 to 3000 dollars. a tiller allows you to move forward in the cockpit to reach the sheets and other controls much more easily. A tiller allows you to set up sheet to tiller steering in about 15 minutes with two blocks some line and a piece of rubber tubing. A wheel requires a windvane at $1500 to $3000 dollars. So if you sail short handed on long trips a tiller is better. If you daysail or race with a large inexperienced crew a wheel is better.
Lots of good benefits of the wheel listed. One that was not listed is that the wheel keeps the helmsman out of the way of the elbows or the crew while they crank winches and run the boat. I thought I'd list some tiller benefits. A tiller is more robust because it has few parts and is less copmplicated and expensive. This is why many larger boats with a wheel come with an emergency tiller set up. A tiller offers better feed back. If it is too hard to handler it is telling you that you will sail faster with reduced sail. An autopilot for a tiller boat costs 300 to 500 dollars...auto pilots for wheeled boats cost 800 to 3000 dollars. a tiller allows you to move forward in the cockpit to reach the sheets and other controls much more easily. A tiller allows you to set up sheet to tiller steering in about 15 minutes with two blocks some line and a piece of rubber tubing. A wheel requires a windvane at $1500 to $3000 dollars. So if you sail short handed on long trips a tiller is better. If you daysail or race with a large inexperienced crew a wheel is better.
Wheel is the way to go!
My new 260 is the first boat that I have owned with a wheel. My last boat was a 240, before that I had a number of small sail boats all with tillers. The wheel frees up cockpit space and makes the entire sail very enjoyable - particularly when you have guests on board. Like any change, it takes a little getting used to especially when single handing the boat, but now, several months into it, I think I actually even prefer using the wheel in this situation. The 260 with the wheel does come with an e-tiller. I would not now go back to a tiller for any boat 26' or above. B
My new 260 is the first boat that I have owned with a wheel. My last boat was a 240, before that I had a number of small sail boats all with tillers. The wheel frees up cockpit space and makes the entire sail very enjoyable - particularly when you have guests on board. Like any change, it takes a little getting used to especially when single handing the boat, but now, several months into it, I think I actually even prefer using the wheel in this situation. The 260 with the wheel does come with an e-tiller. I would not now go back to a tiller for any boat 26' or above. Btable
I have read most of the comments and will add some other thoughts. I have had both tiller and now a wheel boat. I prefer the wheel because: 1. the feel is good enough for the sailing I do. 2. The main reason is because I have the pedestial guard which allows me to attach a table, drink holders, gps, and cell phone holder. This the main reason I like the wheel. you can not get that with the tiller 3. I also like the ability to stand or sit facing direct forward. You can sit to the side also. Unless you are a hard core racer go with the tiller. ct
I have read most of the comments and will add some other thoughts. I have had both tiller and now a wheel boat. I prefer the wheel because: 1. the feel is good enough for the sailing I do. 2. The main reason is because I have the pedestial guard which allows me to attach a table, drink holders, gps, and cell phone holder. This the main reason I like the wheel. you can not get that with the tiller 3. I also like the ability to stand or sit facing direct forward. You can sit to the side also. Unless you are a hard core racer go with the tiller. ct
Adapting to Wheel Steering
One thing that I just remembered about the first few times out sailing on our newly purchased 260 with wheel steering was that I kept trying to use the wheel in the same manner as I used the tiller, if I wanter to steer right, I kept turning the wheel to the left. I'm glad that never happened driving home, after sailing all day with the tiller on our old boat.
One thing that I just remembered about the first few times out sailing on our newly purchased 260 with wheel steering was that I kept trying to use the wheel in the same manner as I used the tiller, if I wanter to steer right, I kept turning the wheel to the left. I'm glad that never happened driving home, after sailing all day with the tiller on our old boat.
Wheel
I have sailed with both.Started with tiller and I know have wheel.Before purchasing my new (old) boat I talked to a lot of boat brokers in my area and lot of them told me it was an easier to sell a boat with a wheel than a tiller. Something to think about if you ever want to sell your boat.
I have sailed with both.Started with tiller and I know have wheel.Before purchasing my new (old) boat I talked to a lot of boat brokers in my area and lot of them told me it was an easier to sell a boat with a wheel than a tiller. Something to think about if you ever want to sell your boat.
I hope you have already ordered Michael
DO you have one already ordered? If so from whom. I can tell you if you will get it.
DO you have one already ordered? If so from whom. I can tell you if you will get it.
Wheel or Tiller ($.02)
OK Bill; I'll bite. What is an "e-tiller" Electronic Tiller? Extended Tiller? Elongated Tiller? Extra Tiller?
OK Bill; I'll bite. What is an "e-tiller" Electronic Tiller? Extended Tiller? Elongated Tiller? Extra Tiller?
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