Is it possible/practical to change a Hunter 27 (1979) from tiller to wheel steering? Any other information/opinions on this boat would be a great help thanks John A abenstein.john@mayo.edu
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J
Jack Laird "Puanani"
N
Nelsonhow
think twice
I investigated this option for my 78 H-27. The cost without labor would be about $900.00 This only included the parts supplied by Edson. The have a parts list and instruction set that is really clear. There are three things you need to consider: 1) Will the layout of the cockpit allow for confortable use of the wheel. This is why many smaller boats have a T arrangement in the cockpit. Remember the wheel post will now be in the center (or near the center) of the cockipit and will ALWAYS be there. You can't swing it aside when you're at anchor to make a little more room. 2) Where is you mainsheet and traverler ? Mine is in the rear of the cockpit. To allow for the use of a wheel it would have top be relocated to the top of the cabin. I guess about $300 in parts plus labor. I don't know if the cabin top has blocking for the travler. 3) The rudder tube has to be cut and modified. This is the only real difficult part of instillation (according to the directions). I don't know about you, but cutting a whole in my boat alway makes me shiver a little. I relly thought about this one but after thinking about it I realized that one of the pleasures of the h 27 IS simplicity. Adding a wheel steering system givem me one more thing to go wrong on THIS OLD BOAT. I guess you could save a little by getting used parts but thats another story. Hope this help you make a decision. PS I asked about a chain/rope pipe for my anchor, any thoughts ?
I investigated this option for my 78 H-27. The cost without labor would be about $900.00 This only included the parts supplied by Edson. The have a parts list and instruction set that is really clear. There are three things you need to consider: 1) Will the layout of the cockpit allow for confortable use of the wheel. This is why many smaller boats have a T arrangement in the cockpit. Remember the wheel post will now be in the center (or near the center) of the cockipit and will ALWAYS be there. You can't swing it aside when you're at anchor to make a little more room. 2) Where is you mainsheet and traverler ? Mine is in the rear of the cockpit. To allow for the use of a wheel it would have top be relocated to the top of the cabin. I guess about $300 in parts plus labor. I don't know if the cabin top has blocking for the travler. 3) The rudder tube has to be cut and modified. This is the only real difficult part of instillation (according to the directions). I don't know about you, but cutting a whole in my boat alway makes me shiver a little. I relly thought about this one but after thinking about it I realized that one of the pleasures of the h 27 IS simplicity. Adding a wheel steering system givem me one more thing to go wrong on THIS OLD BOAT. I guess you could save a little by getting used parts but thats another story. Hope this help you make a decision. PS I asked about a chain/rope pipe for my anchor, any thoughts ?
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WARREN RENNINGER
Works good but tight cockpit
I have the factory wheel steering with T cockpit on my 1980 H27. Neighbor has a 1978 with an Edison Conversion that brings the wheel up at an angle from the stern rudder post. You end up sitting above the post with the steering shaft coming up between your legs. It works great but you have to step over the wheel shaft and it is tight getting by the wheel. If they make a full conversion to a regular pedestal it may be better since you wouldn' have to step over shaft but getting by the wheel may be even tighter.
I have the factory wheel steering with T cockpit on my 1980 H27. Neighbor has a 1978 with an Edison Conversion that brings the wheel up at an angle from the stern rudder post. You end up sitting above the post with the steering shaft coming up between your legs. It works great but you have to step over the wheel shaft and it is tight getting by the wheel. If they make a full conversion to a regular pedestal it may be better since you wouldn' have to step over shaft but getting by the wheel may be even tighter.
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Neil Smith
I'm Thinking About It
I've thought alot about converting from tiller to wheel. Things the aficianados tell me are: 1) tiller doesn't get in the way when you're docked. 2) A pedistal is ALWAYS there. 3) There's nothing like the "feel" of a tiller, very precise, no slop. I have contacted Edson and Whitlock. Edson uses the chain and cable arrangement, and because of the dynanamics of the rig, there is a certain loss of control. The Whitlock is virtually rack and pinion, thereby minimal (if any) loss of control. While slightly more costly, the Whitlock offers wheel brake and compass, for about the same cost as Edson. (About $2K) check em out at www.pyiinc.com and ask for Chuck Luscomb. Insofar as the pedistal getting in the way when you're docked, well, there's a quick release fitting that will allow you to take the wheel off. When underway, yup, it's always there. But so too is the tiller? I will be making my transition this fall and based on the feedback by the manufacturer, I think I've got a winner. They've been exceptionally helpful. Good luck on your project, Neil Smith
I've thought alot about converting from tiller to wheel. Things the aficianados tell me are: 1) tiller doesn't get in the way when you're docked. 2) A pedistal is ALWAYS there. 3) There's nothing like the "feel" of a tiller, very precise, no slop. I have contacted Edson and Whitlock. Edson uses the chain and cable arrangement, and because of the dynanamics of the rig, there is a certain loss of control. The Whitlock is virtually rack and pinion, thereby minimal (if any) loss of control. While slightly more costly, the Whitlock offers wheel brake and compass, for about the same cost as Edson. (About $2K) check em out at www.pyiinc.com and ask for Chuck Luscomb. Insofar as the pedistal getting in the way when you're docked, well, there's a quick release fitting that will allow you to take the wheel off. When underway, yup, it's always there. But so too is the tiller? I will be making my transition this fall and based on the feedback by the manufacturer, I think I've got a winner. They've been exceptionally helpful. Good luck on your project, Neil Smith
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Trevor Hastings
Thought about it...
We recently purchased a 1977 27'Hunter with tiller steering. I investigated wheel steering and the cost of parts from Edson was $1200. After looking over similar sized boats in the marina (26' to 28') I realized the loss of manueverability in the cockpit wasn't worth it. In fact, I have manned the helm on a 30' Hunter w/wheel and 28' Tarten w/tiller and much prefer the feel of the tiller. This is somewhat biased by my reluctance to spend $1,200 to $1,500 and move my mainsheet traveler but with the layout of the cockpit in the older 27' Hunters it just doesn't seem to be well designed for a wheel.
We recently purchased a 1977 27'Hunter with tiller steering. I investigated wheel steering and the cost of parts from Edson was $1200. After looking over similar sized boats in the marina (26' to 28') I realized the loss of manueverability in the cockpit wasn't worth it. In fact, I have manned the helm on a 30' Hunter w/wheel and 28' Tarten w/tiller and much prefer the feel of the tiller. This is somewhat biased by my reluctance to spend $1,200 to $1,500 and move my mainsheet traveler but with the layout of the cockpit in the older 27' Hunters it just doesn't seem to be well designed for a wheel.
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