I have always sailed smaller boats with tillers. Am considering a larger boat in the 25'+ range for lake-type sailing of a few hours at a time, and notice that at that size level some of the boats have tillers and some have wheels. Am interested in hearing some of the pros and cons for a wheel versus a tiller in that size range of boat. The boat will not have any kind of auto-helm, if that matters.
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Wheel
You will hear how the tiller gives you a better feel - true and how you can swing it up out of the way when at dock - true. This is my 4th boat, the first with a wheel. I like a wheel better. I find it much more comfortable - a tiller gives me a bit of a stiff neck after an hour or so. When day sailing you do not have your guests or crew jumping over it every time you tack. It was one of my requirements when I sold my last tiller boat, an Irwin 32.
You will hear how the tiller gives you a better feel - true and how you can swing it up out of the way when at dock - true. This is my 4th boat, the first with a wheel. I like a wheel better. I find it much more comfortable - a tiller gives me a bit of a stiff neck after an hour or so. When day sailing you do not have your guests or crew jumping over it every time you tack. It was one of my requirements when I sold my last tiller boat, an Irwin 32.
stricly a matter of personal preference
everyone has their favorite and justification for it but it's really what you want/prefer that matters. There is no definitive reason for one over the other and most people think whatever they have is better than the alternative. One typical reason for preferring a tiller is less cockpit space intrusion but that too is a dubious justification when you consider the sweep of arc of a tiller. As long as you're sailing, it doesn't matter to anyone except yourself.
everyone has their favorite and justification for it but it's really what you want/prefer that matters. There is no definitive reason for one over the other and most people think whatever they have is better than the alternative. One typical reason for preferring a tiller is less cockpit space intrusion but that too is a dubious justification when you consider the sweep of arc of a tiller. As long as you're sailing, it doesn't matter to anyone except yourself.
Opinion
OK, this is just my opinion. A wheel on a boat under 30 feet is a waste. It adds a level of complexity and cost out of proportion to it's value.
OK, this is just my opinion. A wheel on a boat under 30 feet is a waste. It adds a level of complexity and cost out of proportion to it's value.
To each their own
Each control adds its own unique feel to sailing. Having used both it matters not to me which to use. Tillers seem to favor smaller boats or boats that design rudder and keel to tiller versus wheels which seem to accompany larger boats. Each had advantages. Both tillers and wheels can be managed with controls, friction and autopilots. They can used to direct and set a point of direction, hold course and guide boat in various speeds. Both need movement to become effective. Both get in your way in the cockpit. If the manufacturer orginally installed one or the other it was by design more likely than customer request. So go forth to choose your preference. You can't go wrong with either. Because you see its you that guides the course not the tiller or wheel.
Each control adds its own unique feel to sailing. Having used both it matters not to me which to use. Tillers seem to favor smaller boats or boats that design rudder and keel to tiller versus wheels which seem to accompany larger boats. Each had advantages. Both tillers and wheels can be managed with controls, friction and autopilots. They can used to direct and set a point of direction, hold course and guide boat in various speeds. Both need movement to become effective. Both get in your way in the cockpit. If the manufacturer orginally installed one or the other it was by design more likely than customer request. So go forth to choose your preference. You can't go wrong with either. Because you see its you that guides the course not the tiller or wheel.
Reliability
Jviss - we are mixing it up a little today, and I am going to disagree a little with you - I hope no personal afront will be taken as none is intended. Certainly, there is less to go wrong with a tiller. I can remember only two sailors I have known having rudder failure. One was a tiller and one was a wheel. Granted, the tiller did not fail and the wheel mechanism did, but wheels are quite reliable. I am off for a little afternoon sail. The weather in Olcott is beautiful - L Ontaio is calm. should be very relaxing fi I can find enough wind.
Jviss - we are mixing it up a little today, and I am going to disagree a little with you - I hope no personal afront will be taken as none is intended. Certainly, there is less to go wrong with a tiller. I can remember only two sailors I have known having rudder failure. One was a tiller and one was a wheel. Granted, the tiller did not fail and the wheel mechanism did, but wheels are quite reliable. I am off for a little afternoon sail. The weather in Olcott is beautiful - L Ontaio is calm. should be very relaxing fi I can find enough wind.
Wheeler
I learned to sail on tiller boats, always thought that was the norm until one exceeded the 30-33' range cause I always noticed larger boats had those honkin big wheels. Now I own a 26' boat with a small wheel and first thing I noticed was how natural it felt, just like driving my car. With the newer more reliable steering sytems available today I don't think one is better than the other, only that one feels more comfortable than the other. I will say that calling "Helm's a-lee" when tacking does not make as much sense when at the wheel as it does while at the tiller but that is the only negative I can think of. I still like the wheel.
I learned to sail on tiller boats, always thought that was the norm until one exceeded the 30-33' range cause I always noticed larger boats had those honkin big wheels. Now I own a 26' boat with a small wheel and first thing I noticed was how natural it felt, just like driving my car. With the newer more reliable steering sytems available today I don't think one is better than the other, only that one feels more comfortable than the other. I will say that calling "Helm's a-lee" when tacking does not make as much sense when at the wheel as it does while at the tiller but that is the only negative I can think of. I still like the wheel.
On a Lake
On a lake, where the winds are very shifty - I find the tiller more responsive and natural. Gusts, big wind shifts, the magnitude of these makes most smaller inland lake sailing different than most ocean sailing. I want the tiller in one hand, and the mainsheet in the other - whatever trim that I have now - I probably won't be using in the next minute. OTH: If your goal is bigger boats and charter trips, then time behind a wheel may be good practice. OC
On a lake, where the winds are very shifty - I find the tiller more responsive and natural. Gusts, big wind shifts, the magnitude of these makes most smaller inland lake sailing different than most ocean sailing. I want the tiller in one hand, and the mainsheet in the other - whatever trim that I have now - I probably won't be using in the next minute. OTH: If your goal is bigger boats and charter trips, then time behind a wheel may be good practice. OC
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