For Fun: Helm Steer or Helm Tiller ?

[GaryMayo]

Post your preference and add the running total.

Post a pic if you a mind to.

I am upgrading from 20" to 30". So I am interested in what the rest of you are holding in the wind. Mine is a new boat to me, and that small wheel is not to my preference. I have room, so I am going bigger.

Steer : 1. Tiller: 0

[Hydra]

I suppose you upgrade from 20 feet to 30 feet of boat. Or is it from 20 inches to 30 inches of wheel?

For me, it's a tiller on a 30' boat.

Alain

[Eleven]

A wheel is good if it's good, no play, good response. And right is right, sorry, starboard.
A tiller is more limiting in seating position, better suited to Autohelm Pilot that clips on.

[Ken43]

I vote for the tiller. Of course I have a tiller.

[Hydra]

A tiller is more limiting in seating position, better suited to Autohelm Pilot that clips on.

Eleven,
The picture I posted seems to disprove your assertion. With the tiller extension, I don't feel limited in position. I can even helm from the "sugar scoop" stern (did it a few times, e.g. for solo MOB drills). But generally, I helm seated on the windside coaming, because it's the best place to see the waves coming and to check the telltales on the genoa.

But I agree it requires some adapation. I don't remember that time, for I learned to helm when I was young, more than 10 years before learning to drive.

Helming with a wheel, I feel like I'm driving a truck.

Alain

[boatsail]

Tiller anytime. Better feel.

[Pete7]

We have both, the tiller being mainly used for the auto pilot. I am happy with either, but SHMBO wanted a wheel.

Pete

[Ex-Calif]

30 feet and less = tiller for me...

It's not about feel for me but complexity. Autopilot, rudder position indicator etc... All simpler with tiller. Also tilt up and out of the way at anchor.

[boatsail]

Why don't we see the tiller as an option on boats in the 30-40 ft range?

I feel as if the wheel takes up valuable space in the cockpit.

[GaryMayo]

Sorry about the confusion, my sailboat is 32 feet and I am changing from a 20 inch wheel to a 30 inch wheel.

Looks like so far the tillers are in the lead.

I have had 5 tiller sailboats from 12 feet to 32 feet, and this is my first wheel helm. I prefer a wheel.

[minaret]

Tiller mounted autopilots suck. Get a wheel with a proper robust autopilot you can rely on. If you are worried about cockpit space at anchor get a folding wheel or one that detaches easily. A wheel is often less of a workout when hand steering as well, at least if you're boat is of any size....

[Target9000]

FOR FUN, I'd pick the opposite of whats on my boat just to play with something new. =)

[GaryMayo]

Your post was not directed at me, but it is a thread I started, and I did not start it to get a response like yours.

Tiller AP's suck? Really? Who knew? OK, everyone with a tiller, sink your boats and report directly to the nearest marina where they only sell wheel helm sailboats. Don't let this happen again! Lol

I am offended at the harshness and narrow sightedness Of your post. Makes me wish I never started such a thread.

I apologize.

For the rest of us, continue on!

Originally Posted by minaret

Tiller mounted autopilots suck. Get a wheel with a proper robust autopilot you can rely on. If you are worried about cockpit space at anchor get a folding wheel or one that detaches easily. A wheel is often less of a workout when hand steering as well, at least if you're boat is of any size....

[Cheechako]

for fun? a tiller no doubt

[boatsail]

You started a great thread and I truly want to see the opinions if others who have more experience with both than I have. I have experience with both, but much more with tillers. I lean towards then for simplicity and open cockpit along with ease of hooking up the tiller pilot. Just got my Tyler pilot hooked up last week and enjoying more than I could have imagined.