I recently bought a catalina 27 '80 model. It is a very nice boat but I would like to have a wheel steering system installed. I have gotten a quote but it was almost half of what I paid. Is this a weekend job for a do it yourselfer'? I know I have to reinforce the deck and the good news is that my traveler is over the cabin. Ideas?
- Status
- Not open for further replies.
L
LaDonna Bubak - Catalina Owners
Don't
This has been discussed thoroughly before so you can check the archives but here's the long & short of it. Installing a wheel system is (as you've found out) extremely expensive and keep in mind that you will NEVER get your money out of it. They're also more likely for failure than a tiller - granted it's not a frequent happening but have you ever heard of an emergency wheel? Nope, it's always an emergency tiller - for a reason. It also will take up a lot of room in the cockpit, whereas a tiller can simply be pushed out of the way when not in use. Also, tillers have a great "feel" for what's going on under the boat that wheels don't have. Here's the big question: Why do you want to convert? Are you just not used to the tiller? If that's the case, believe me, you'll get used to it in a hurry and will probably end up liking it better than if you had installed the wheel. LaDonna
This has been discussed thoroughly before so you can check the archives but here's the long & short of it. Installing a wheel system is (as you've found out) extremely expensive and keep in mind that you will NEVER get your money out of it. They're also more likely for failure than a tiller - granted it's not a frequent happening but have you ever heard of an emergency wheel? Nope, it's always an emergency tiller - for a reason. It also will take up a lot of room in the cockpit, whereas a tiller can simply be pushed out of the way when not in use. Also, tillers have a great "feel" for what's going on under the boat that wheels don't have. Here's the big question: Why do you want to convert? Are you just not used to the tiller? If that's the case, believe me, you'll get used to it in a hurry and will probably end up liking it better than if you had installed the wheel. LaDonna
K
Kevin McGrath
W
Willy
Wheels are overrated
I owned an O'day 27 with a tiller for 9 years. I traded up to a C30 and one of the items on my list of wanted options was wheel steering, be careful what you wish for... I primarily single hand and the wheel complicates the process. It's hard to move from behind the wheel to get to the jib and main sheets. With a tiller it was nice to place the tiller between my legs, steer into a tack and have a jib sheet in either hand. Very functional. Also, autopilots are cheaper. The big advantage to a wheel is having the engine controls and the compass mounted on the binnacle. Also, resale is easier because a wheel is more popular, though now I'm not sure why. Keep the tiller!
I owned an O'day 27 with a tiller for 9 years. I traded up to a C30 and one of the items on my list of wanted options was wheel steering, be careful what you wish for... I primarily single hand and the wheel complicates the process. It's hard to move from behind the wheel to get to the jib and main sheets. With a tiller it was nice to place the tiller between my legs, steer into a tack and have a jib sheet in either hand. Very functional. Also, autopilots are cheaper. The big advantage to a wheel is having the engine controls and the compass mounted on the binnacle. Also, resale is easier because a wheel is more popular, though now I'm not sure why. Keep the tiller!
R
Rob Rich
Had the Same thought....
Glad I stayed with the tiller. Initially, a wheel looks better, but like Kevin McGrath said, there is no feeling like a tiller. Wheels aren't altogether bad - in my opinion, on a C-27, they're just not as good. Rob
Glad I stayed with the tiller. Initially, a wheel looks better, but like Kevin McGrath said, there is no feeling like a tiller. Wheels aren't altogether bad - in my opinion, on a C-27, they're just not as good. Rob
C
Chris Gonzales
Better feel with a tiller
Over the years I had a Capri 25 and Catalina 22, both with tillers. Eventually I purchased a C25 with a wheel. I was so excited to FINALLY have wheel steering. It was goinf to look and feel so COOL. The fact was, though, that I quickly found I didn't like the feel of it at all. You just can't feel the boat through a wheel like you can a tiller. Also, I didn't like the room the wheel took up in the cockpit and I prefered the tiller with an extension when sitting high on the weather side. I now have a C30 with a very nice Edson wheel. It came with the boat. But if it didn't have the wheel I certainly would have purchased her anyway. I suppose wheels are great for large boats but on the 4 I have owned, including my 30, I opt for the tiller! My suggestion is to sail your 27 for a while and get used to handling her with the tiller. Then steer a buddies boat that is wheel equipped. Bet you feel the same way about the tiller as many of us do after that. Let us know what you do. Chris
Over the years I had a Capri 25 and Catalina 22, both with tillers. Eventually I purchased a C25 with a wheel. I was so excited to FINALLY have wheel steering. It was goinf to look and feel so COOL. The fact was, though, that I quickly found I didn't like the feel of it at all. You just can't feel the boat through a wheel like you can a tiller. Also, I didn't like the room the wheel took up in the cockpit and I prefered the tiller with an extension when sitting high on the weather side. I now have a C30 with a very nice Edson wheel. It came with the boat. But if it didn't have the wheel I certainly would have purchased her anyway. I suppose wheels are great for large boats but on the 4 I have owned, including my 30, I opt for the tiller! My suggestion is to sail your 27 for a while and get used to handling her with the tiller. Then steer a buddies boat that is wheel equipped. Bet you feel the same way about the tiller as many of us do after that. Let us know what you do. Chris
M
michael w
LADONNA'S RIGHT
I ALSO HAVE A 80' C27 AND I LOST CONTOL BEACAUSE THE CABLE CAME OUT OF THE "CLAMSHELL".(well that's what i called it). AND TRYED LIKE HELL TO GET THE WHEEL OFF. NOT AN EASY TASK IN 4-6FT SEAS.STEERING WITH THE "EMERGENCY" TILLER,WAS LIKE ARM WRESTLING A CRAZED B-12 INDUCED LIMEBACKER!.ALTHOUGH NOT HARD TO FIX,BUT WASN'T EASY TO ADJUST AT THE DOCK EITHER.I AGREE WITH LADONNA IT TAKES UP ROOM IN THE COCKPIT,AND EXPENSIVE.I HELPED A FRIEND INSTALL AN EPSEN IN HIS C30.IT PROVED TO BE A SERIOUS PAIN IN THE BOAT!TWO WEEKENDS LATER,IT WAS DONE.AND WERE STILL FRIENDS!. GOOD LUCK AND HAPPY SEAS.
I ALSO HAVE A 80' C27 AND I LOST CONTOL BEACAUSE THE CABLE CAME OUT OF THE "CLAMSHELL".(well that's what i called it). AND TRYED LIKE HELL TO GET THE WHEEL OFF. NOT AN EASY TASK IN 4-6FT SEAS.STEERING WITH THE "EMERGENCY" TILLER,WAS LIKE ARM WRESTLING A CRAZED B-12 INDUCED LIMEBACKER!.ALTHOUGH NOT HARD TO FIX,BUT WASN'T EASY TO ADJUST AT THE DOCK EITHER.I AGREE WITH LADONNA IT TAKES UP ROOM IN THE COCKPIT,AND EXPENSIVE.I HELPED A FRIEND INSTALL AN EPSEN IN HIS C30.IT PROVED TO BE A SERIOUS PAIN IN THE BOAT!TWO WEEKENDS LATER,IT WAS DONE.AND WERE STILL FRIENDS!. GOOD LUCK AND HAPPY SEAS.
- Status
- Not open for further replies.