Wheel-to-tiller conversion

[BristolCaptnJack]

My dad and I are trying to replace the wheel on our '74 Bristol 30 with a tiller but are unsure of where to turn hardware-wise. Can anyone tell us what hardware Bristol may have used that we may begin our search? I suspect that any hardware may have been custom made to Bristol's specs and may therefore be difficult to find or subsitute with comparable parts. I would appreciate any help in the area, thanks.

 

[Robert Gainer]

It’s a stretch for my memory

It’s a stretch for my memory but didn’t Bristol use Buck Algonquin marine hardware for the tiller head castings on most of their boats? I know they used Wilcox Crittenden on the smaller ones but I think they used Buck Algonquin on the rest. What size is the rudder shaft? I can look in a bunch of catalogs we have in the office and see what fits.All the best,Robert Gainer

 

[larry w]

tiller/wheel

Not sure what your trying to achieve with a conversion. A 30ft. boat with a tiller is much more responsive than a wheel, the tiller will tilt up out of the way at anchor/dock giving much more room in the cockpit, and the autopilot for a tiller is a much simpler affair than for a wheel. You might want to re-think that whole thing. JMHO.

 

[Brian M H23]

larry

he said wheel to tiller..not tiller to wheel. It sounds like you like his idea.

 

[larry w]

wheel/tiller

Brian, you are correct. I didn't carefully read the post, and I DO like the idea.