Wheel to tiller conversion?

[pmroz1]

Have a Newport Mk2 28' with a wheel. Has anyone attempted a conversion to tiller on such boat?

 

[jssailem]

I have not seen one converted. It looks like the designer placed the stub of the rudder post in the cockpit behind the wheel. In theory the possibility exists some one may have attempted this. There were about 1000 boats built over the 14 years of production.

I conjecture the designer felt the market wanted a wheel rather than a tiller. The wheel helm was perceived “an upgrade” for what was considered an entry level cruiser boat. The boat is 9.75 ft wide at the beam. The cockpit has limited space. You may find the geometry of a long tiller difficult to manage in a seaway.

It would be a project for a dedicated fan of the boat. Not likely will the costs of the project be recouped at point of a future sale.

Good luck.

 

[Alan Gomes]

Not likely will the costs of the project be recouped at point of a future sale.

This goes for nearly everything someone does to his or her boat.