wheel
- Thread starter renchermh
- Start date
- Status
That totally depends on
what boat you have. Typically, you can fit a wheel on the order of 24 - 26" on the older straight (non-"T" shaped) cockpit boats. Go to the Edson Marine site. They have plans and parts lists for converting almost any boat from tiller to wheel steering. Steve Alchemist C-320
what boat you have. Typically, you can fit a wheel on the order of 24 - 26" on the older straight (non-"T" shaped) cockpit boats. Go to the Edson Marine site. They have plans and parts lists for converting almost any boat from tiller to wheel steering. Steve Alchemist C-320
Depends on type of boat
I just threw my 2 cents in on the other forum about someone inquiring about going to a wheel from a tiller on his 27 Catalina. I do not know what size or manufacturer of the vessel you have, but if looks are critical to you, keep something in mind; if you have the outboard rudder where the tiller crosses over the transom rather then the tiller coming up from the cockpit floor, the wheel retrofit requires that you control the outboard rudder with a rod that comes through the transom to connect midway on the rudder. This is my opinion is one heck of an ugly look, because the rudder still comes up the transom and it gives the appearance like its searching for its tiller!! I have seen this retrofit on many Catalina 25's and McGregors over the years. If however; the looks do not matter, then you will find that converting to a wheel only gives you something more to maintain although you can hang stuff from the pedestal guard. Bob Catalina 30
I just threw my 2 cents in on the other forum about someone inquiring about going to a wheel from a tiller on his 27 Catalina. I do not know what size or manufacturer of the vessel you have, but if looks are critical to you, keep something in mind; if you have the outboard rudder where the tiller crosses over the transom rather then the tiller coming up from the cockpit floor, the wheel retrofit requires that you control the outboard rudder with a rod that comes through the transom to connect midway on the rudder. This is my opinion is one heck of an ugly look, because the rudder still comes up the transom and it gives the appearance like its searching for its tiller!! I have seen this retrofit on many Catalina 25's and McGregors over the years. If however; the looks do not matter, then you will find that converting to a wheel only gives you something more to maintain although you can hang stuff from the pedestal guard. Bob Catalina 30
I guess I should have given good info
The boat is a 1980 catalina 30. It is not a outboard rudder. I am concerned about the engine controls are. Because of the tiller the engine controls are up close to the end of the tiller. when I put a wheel in they will not be close to the wheel, hard to steer and run the motor at the some time. So do I move the engine controls up on the ped. and how hard is that?
The boat is a 1980 catalina 30. It is not a outboard rudder. I am concerned about the engine controls are. Because of the tiller the engine controls are up close to the end of the tiller. when I put a wheel in they will not be close to the wheel, hard to steer and run the motor at the some time. So do I move the engine controls up on the ped. and how hard is that?
Contact the Factory
Go up to "resources", hit "other sailing sites", go to Catalina 30 and you can see on the left side great resources like downloading the owners manual, blow ups of steering, even find my hull numbers (sail number) when the wheel steering became standard on the 30. I have the wheel, but also the emergency tiller set up, so comparing my '88 model to yours, our rudder/rudder post and tiller set up may have the same positioning. The big problem is on the cockpit floor in the wheel models is a recessed well and cover for the quadrant that connects to the steering post (emergency steering is provided by the rudder post access in the center of the quadrant). Your tiller head is at this location. With a retrofitted wheel set up I am certain the installer would have to reinforce the cockpit floor from underneath to support the quadrant, pulleys and cable unit as well as the pedestal and guard. Are you looking at an Edson setup? You can download the catalog online and see what system is right for your vessel. You might wish to call them on this one as well. Edson was used as the standard on the 30 or at least on the '88 model. A wheel on the 30 is nice and provides more cockpit room. The only concern, though is the old tiller head that would still be between your feet that you might want to remove and cap the post. I am certain the rudder would need to be dropped in order to attach the qaudrant, which could mean the boat needs to be out of the water to do the job. You will need the emergency tiller kit that is an extension bar that attaches to the top of the rudder post and a smaller bar that attaches and acts as the tiller in the event of a cable break or pulley failure on the wheel system. I could be way off on this one as other kits and methods could be available, but since your rudder is hung below the water line a qaudrant system seems realistic. I will assume its a bunch of bucks to retrofit as well. Edson steering systems are not cheap. Best of luck, do your research and keep us posted. Bob '88 - 30 Breezin II
Go up to "resources", hit "other sailing sites", go to Catalina 30 and you can see on the left side great resources like downloading the owners manual, blow ups of steering, even find my hull numbers (sail number) when the wheel steering became standard on the 30. I have the wheel, but also the emergency tiller set up, so comparing my '88 model to yours, our rudder/rudder post and tiller set up may have the same positioning. The big problem is on the cockpit floor in the wheel models is a recessed well and cover for the quadrant that connects to the steering post (emergency steering is provided by the rudder post access in the center of the quadrant). Your tiller head is at this location. With a retrofitted wheel set up I am certain the installer would have to reinforce the cockpit floor from underneath to support the quadrant, pulleys and cable unit as well as the pedestal and guard. Are you looking at an Edson setup? You can download the catalog online and see what system is right for your vessel. You might wish to call them on this one as well. Edson was used as the standard on the 30 or at least on the '88 model. A wheel on the 30 is nice and provides more cockpit room. The only concern, though is the old tiller head that would still be between your feet that you might want to remove and cap the post. I am certain the rudder would need to be dropped in order to attach the qaudrant, which could mean the boat needs to be out of the water to do the job. You will need the emergency tiller kit that is an extension bar that attaches to the top of the rudder post and a smaller bar that attaches and acts as the tiller in the event of a cable break or pulley failure on the wheel system. I could be way off on this one as other kits and methods could be available, but since your rudder is hung below the water line a qaudrant system seems realistic. I will assume its a bunch of bucks to retrofit as well. Edson steering systems are not cheap. Best of luck, do your research and keep us posted. Bob '88 - 30 Breezin II
- Status