I usually have a lot of kids on my boat and would like to free up some cockpit space by adding wheel steering. In particular, Edson RLA system seems to the only way to go. Has anyone put a wheel on this size boat? Where you happy with it? If you're not familiar with the boat, it has a fixed keel 2000 lbs and displacement of 4000, draws 3 1/2 feet. Kind of like a cal 20 with more cabin space. NJ Marinaro (njm@thepyxisgroup.com)
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RichJ
wheel
NJ first off, you'll loose cockpit space by adding a wheel, yes I agree that you wont have to jump over the tiller, but the pedistal wont be able to be pushed out of the way while at anchor. second, the cost. I looked into it for a 27 O'Day and to be honest found it hard to justify the cost. RichJ
NJ first off, you'll loose cockpit space by adding a wheel, yes I agree that you wont have to jump over the tiller, but the pedistal wont be able to be pushed out of the way while at anchor. second, the cost. I looked into it for a 27 O'Day and to be honest found it hard to justify the cost. RichJ
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Bob Camarena
No Way
No way would I put wheel steering on a 22' boat, it's way too small. Aside from the space, you'll give up significant responsiveness in handling.
No way would I put wheel steering on a 22' boat, it's way too small. Aside from the space, you'll give up significant responsiveness in handling.
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Dennis
The Wheel
Well I have a 22 foot Mac. and I put wheel steering on it and wouldnt trade it for the world. I put mine in from salvaged parts though for under 100 dollars, as Ebson seemed to expensive. From my stand point, the wheel does give you a lot more room in the cockpit. My wheel is 24 inches and it was the best thing I ever added to the boat. As to response, well I think it is more like having power steering, as the leverage is in the wheel and not on the rudder. Now on my Mac I did add 4 inches to the forward part of my rudder, giving it more surface area. This too added to the control. Everyone has there own likes and dislikes though and I know there is a lot of debate about which is better, wheel or tiller. Of course I still have a back up tiller in case of emergencies should the wheel go out! Everyone to their own though!
Well I have a 22 foot Mac. and I put wheel steering on it and wouldnt trade it for the world. I put mine in from salvaged parts though for under 100 dollars, as Ebson seemed to expensive. From my stand point, the wheel does give you a lot more room in the cockpit. My wheel is 24 inches and it was the best thing I ever added to the boat. As to response, well I think it is more like having power steering, as the leverage is in the wheel and not on the rudder. Now on my Mac I did add 4 inches to the forward part of my rudder, giving it more surface area. This too added to the control. Everyone has there own likes and dislikes though and I know there is a lot of debate about which is better, wheel or tiller. Of course I still have a back up tiller in case of emergencies should the wheel go out! Everyone to their own though!
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JPF
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Capt NJ Marinaro
Wheel Steering
Looks like its about 5:1 against, but only one person has done it. If I see one at Sailorman in Ft. Lauderdale for somethng reasonable I think I'll spring for it. Except for the hole in the transom all the other things are easily undone. I've had more problems trying to move the tiller around a child than I care to think about.
Looks like its about 5:1 against, but only one person has done it. If I see one at Sailorman in Ft. Lauderdale for somethng reasonable I think I'll spring for it. Except for the hole in the transom all the other things are easily undone. I've had more problems trying to move the tiller around a child than I care to think about.
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Dennis
A further note!
A further note on the wheel, well when I first got my Mac, the tiller handle measured 4 ft. and the cockpit measures 6 ft. so do the math. Not much room left over. With my pedestal and wheel toward the rear of the cockpit, the whole front area is left open. If 24 inches for a wheel seems to big, they have smaller ones, 2O, 16, 18 inches can be obtained. I like my 24, because myself being 5 foot 8 inches tall, I can stand in the cockpit and hold the top of the wheel for control. Even in heavier water, the wheel for me is better because your not left fighting the rudder directly, as with a tiller, but instead the wheels leverage takes up a lot of the pounding! Here again though I am sure that many people out there with more experience than I, like tillers better! In my case, for me, even with any future boat purchase, I will install a wheel! Keep your tillers!
A further note on the wheel, well when I first got my Mac, the tiller handle measured 4 ft. and the cockpit measures 6 ft. so do the math. Not much room left over. With my pedestal and wheel toward the rear of the cockpit, the whole front area is left open. If 24 inches for a wheel seems to big, they have smaller ones, 2O, 16, 18 inches can be obtained. I like my 24, because myself being 5 foot 8 inches tall, I can stand in the cockpit and hold the top of the wheel for control. Even in heavier water, the wheel for me is better because your not left fighting the rudder directly, as with a tiller, but instead the wheels leverage takes up a lot of the pounding! Here again though I am sure that many people out there with more experience than I, like tillers better! In my case, for me, even with any future boat purchase, I will install a wheel! Keep your tillers!
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Capt NJ Marinaro
Thanks for the additional info
Thanks. The math is what I was doing when I first thought this would be the way to go. What type of steering mechanism did you add or did the boat come with it? My wife saw a Westsail 39 that she likes, but I think the wheel is somewhat less costly. It is kind of fun to watch two 6 year olds trying to hold a tiller on a strong beam reach.
Thanks. The math is what I was doing when I first thought this would be the way to go. What type of steering mechanism did you add or did the boat come with it? My wife saw a Westsail 39 that she likes, but I think the wheel is somewhat less costly. It is kind of fun to watch two 6 year olds trying to hold a tiller on a strong beam reach.
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Dennis
Installed wheel
Because of room, within my Mac under the cockpit, I used a cable and pulley system. If I had more room in my Macgregor, I would have rathered had levers and gears! Both do the job, but I think the levers and gears are less to maintain. I also used a conduit system to guide the cable, and filled it with lubricant to keep the cable slick! The only part exposed to the elements, is where it ties into the rudder! It is a pedestal type of wheel and I put it together from salvage. If you send me your e mail address I can send you a picture of it. Might give you some ideas. My e mail is odiedb@aol.com I had to start from scratch as the boat had only a tiller! I did a rough draft of what I wanted on paper and then went from there. It takes a little time, but I think anyone could do it! I did it all for under one hundred dollars!
Because of room, within my Mac under the cockpit, I used a cable and pulley system. If I had more room in my Macgregor, I would have rathered had levers and gears! Both do the job, but I think the levers and gears are less to maintain. I also used a conduit system to guide the cable, and filled it with lubricant to keep the cable slick! The only part exposed to the elements, is where it ties into the rudder! It is a pedestal type of wheel and I put it together from salvage. If you send me your e mail address I can send you a picture of it. Might give you some ideas. My e mail is odiedb@aol.com I had to start from scratch as the boat had only a tiller! I did a rough draft of what I wanted on paper and then went from there. It takes a little time, but I think anyone could do it! I did it all for under one hundred dollars!
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Rick D
not on a 22 footer
try getting a tiller with a offset, when you come about it goes above everyones knees
try getting a tiller with a offset, when you come about it goes above everyones knees
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