I have a 77 O'Day 27 with a tiller and I'm thinking about converting to a wheel. I know I would like the wheel better, but is it worthwhile? Is it costly? Is the installation difficult? Does anyone have any experience? Thanks.
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had a wheel on my 25 catalina
hated it...it wasn't an edson. took up to much romm in the cockpit and it used a push pull cable versus edson's pull pull system. Plus a tiller pilot is a lot cheaper than a wheelpilot. I think it was made by a companny called merriman and was called yacht systems (it had a YS on the wheel nut). problem with the cable system was backlash as you can't preload it in both directions. also it is a sheathed cable and you can't see it corrode so when it fails its in the most dangerous circumstance (MURPHY'S LAW)
tillers give you a lot better "feel" but if you go with a wheel use the edson system dave
hated it...it wasn't an edson. took up to much romm in the cockpit and it used a push pull cable versus edson's pull pull system. Plus a tiller pilot is a lot cheaper than a wheelpilot. I think it was made by a companny called merriman and was called yacht systems (it had a YS on the wheel nut). problem with the cable system was backlash as you can't preload it in both directions. also it is a sheathed cable and you can't see it corrode so when it fails its in the most dangerous circumstance (MURPHY'S LAW)
tillers give you a lot better "feel" but if you go with a wheel use the edson system daveToo expensive
I would think that the amount of money you'd spend on a decent system wouldn't be worth it in the long run. First of all, expect a tremendous reduction of cockpit space. More importantly though, you're looking at a LOT of money for only a little comfort. I'm curious why you want to convert. Is it cuz you're not used to a tiller? I thought I would like a wheel too until I really got used to the tiller. Now I wouldn't give it up! Mabye on a large boat but certainly not on my C27. My opinion is that it wouldn't be worth converting that old of a boat. Give it some time, you'll get used to it - I promise! LaDonna
I would think that the amount of money you'd spend on a decent system wouldn't be worth it in the long run. First of all, expect a tremendous reduction of cockpit space. More importantly though, you're looking at a LOT of money for only a little comfort. I'm curious why you want to convert. Is it cuz you're not used to a tiller? I thought I would like a wheel too until I really got used to the tiller. Now I wouldn't give it up! Mabye on a large boat but certainly not on my C27. My opinion is that it wouldn't be worth converting that old of a boat. Give it some time, you'll get used to it - I promise! LaDonna
Keep the Tiller
Hi Mike: I have a Cat 27 with a wheel, and LaDonna's right. You're going to lose a lot of space in the cockpit and it's space that is probably smack dab in the middle of the cockpit. All of a sudden you're always going to be stepping around that wheel, and everything else like, serving food, passing drinks, and changing seats gets complicated. Do you have a tiller pilot? That should give you the best situation of all. . . extra room and not having to tend the tiller all the time. I recently looked at a 28 ft Sea Sprite with a tiller and mentioned it to my X-spouse. He said don't get it because a wheel "looks" better. Of course he never did a day sail or stay out on the boat for a few days where the extra room would have been wonderful. Good luck, Melody
Hi Mike: I have a Cat 27 with a wheel, and LaDonna's right. You're going to lose a lot of space in the cockpit and it's space that is probably smack dab in the middle of the cockpit. All of a sudden you're always going to be stepping around that wheel, and everything else like, serving food, passing drinks, and changing seats gets complicated. Do you have a tiller pilot? That should give you the best situation of all. . . extra room and not having to tend the tiller all the time. I recently looked at a 28 ft Sea Sprite with a tiller and mentioned it to my X-spouse. He said don't get it because a wheel "looks" better. Of course he never did a day sail or stay out on the boat for a few days where the extra room would have been wonderful. Good luck, Melody
Cost of Conversion
Mike, I have the latest (2001) Edson catalogue. Hope you're sitting down: Transom Hung Rudder Steering System Edson Part #332-45-RLA Price: $1,267.00 Plus shipping This includes: 1 #335-5-211 Pedestal 1 #775-2S15B9 Chain/Wire rope assy 1 #868-2 Internal conduit bracket 2 #797-6 Pull-Pull conduit assy 4 #646-4HEX Pedestal mounting bolts 1 #949-6 RLA w/connecting hardware Note that this does not include engine/transmission controls or steering wheel. The reason for this is that this system was engineered to fit 35 different boats. Due to varying engine/transmission types and cockpit room for wheel, including these would be difficult. BTW, I checked with a couple of repair shops and they were around $900.00 to install this system. So you're looking at over $2,000.00 for the complete system. Hope this helps. Just as an aside...I had a tiller on my previous boat. I'll never go back to one. But like anything else, it's a matter of opinion. You've got to do what's comfortable for you. Cheers, Bob
Mike, I have the latest (2001) Edson catalogue. Hope you're sitting down: Transom Hung Rudder Steering System Edson Part #332-45-RLA Price: $1,267.00 Plus shipping This includes: 1 #335-5-211 Pedestal 1 #775-2S15B9 Chain/Wire rope assy 1 #868-2 Internal conduit bracket 2 #797-6 Pull-Pull conduit assy 4 #646-4HEX Pedestal mounting bolts 1 #949-6 RLA w/connecting hardware Note that this does not include engine/transmission controls or steering wheel. The reason for this is that this system was engineered to fit 35 different boats. Due to varying engine/transmission types and cockpit room for wheel, including these would be difficult. BTW, I checked with a couple of repair shops and they were around $900.00 to install this system. So you're looking at over $2,000.00 for the complete system. Hope this helps. Just as an aside...I had a tiller on my previous boat. I'll never go back to one. But like anything else, it's a matter of opinion. You've got to do what's comfortable for you. Cheers, Bob
Wheel V
Mike, I converted a tiller to wheel on a Tartan 30 a few years ago. I purchased the pedestal and wheel from a consignment outlet and the remainder of the parts from Edson. Total cost about $500.00 as I used my own labor. On the Tartan the most difficult part was dropping the rudder, if you don't have to do that it is quite easy. I left the engine controls where they were and operation of the engine was fine. I would not go back to a tiller except for small boat sailing.
Mike, I converted a tiller to wheel on a Tartan 30 a few years ago. I purchased the pedestal and wheel from a consignment outlet and the remainder of the parts from Edson. Total cost about $500.00 as I used my own labor. On the Tartan the most difficult part was dropping the rudder, if you don't have to do that it is quite easy. I left the engine controls where they were and operation of the engine was fine. I would not go back to a tiller except for small boat sailing.
I'd have to go with Melody and LaDonna
I had to choose between a wheel and tiller version of the C-27 when I bought mine. I chose the tiller, and am greatful. On a boat this size, I feel the tiller gives you much better feeling, especially during high degrees of heel. You can feel the boat slowing, and the drag created if you haul the tiller over too hard. While out on a friends boat, I could not achieve that feeling of balance behind the wheel that I usually get when manning the tiller. Lookswise, the wheel wins hands down. But functionality, on a 27 footer, I'd opt for a tiller. On a 30 footer or greater, I'd probably go for the wheel. Best Regards, Rob
I had to choose between a wheel and tiller version of the C-27 when I bought mine. I chose the tiller, and am greatful. On a boat this size, I feel the tiller gives you much better feeling, especially during high degrees of heel. You can feel the boat slowing, and the drag created if you haul the tiller over too hard. While out on a friends boat, I could not achieve that feeling of balance behind the wheel that I usually get when manning the tiller. Lookswise, the wheel wins hands down. But functionality, on a 27 footer, I'd opt for a tiller. On a 30 footer or greater, I'd probably go for the wheel. Best Regards, Rob
Keep the Tiller
I've always sailed with a tiller until I bought my C27 last year that came with a wheel. It was hard getting used to the slow feel of the wheel. The tiller is much more responsive. Don't spend the money. The wheel is fun when you are standing behind it and breaking through 3 to 6 ft. swells.
I've always sailed with a tiller until I bought my C27 last year that came with a wheel. It was hard getting used to the slow feel of the wheel. The tiller is much more responsive. Don't spend the money. The wheel is fun when you are standing behind it and breaking through 3 to 6 ft. swells.
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