Same-How Old To Single Hand

[delmarrey]

I have both wheel and tiller.


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[MikeinLA]

The only trouble I ever had with a tiller was one time when I was backing down out of my fairway into the main channel. The main channel had quite a current running and when it hit the rudder, it RIPPED the tiller out of my hand and scared the bejeezus out of me. Afterwards, I learned to be prepared for that. Other wise, I've always liked a tiller, especially steering with my foot whilst motoring through the marina. I do find I have better visibility standing at the wheel, however. I think each have their good points, like most things.

Mike

[daddle]

Tiller was nice on the Cal 36 because I could sit under the dodger to steer. Would have been too many cold hours to sit back with a wheel. This SC50 has a wheel ... occasionally I walk all the way back there to steer by hand. But the A/P is closer ...

[malbert73]

Much easier to doublehand and run a spinnaker since you can steer with tiller between legs and hold both sheet and guy in each hand

[Tortuga's Lie]

I've had both, tiller on my Cal 27 and a wheel on my current boat, Tartan 37.
I prefer the wheel on the larger boat and I like the idea of having the instruments on the pedestal. I can steer with my foot on the wheel if need be plus I can engage the autopilot if I need to free up. I think that a well maintained cable/quadrant system is nothing to worry about though it definitely has more moving parts than a tiller.
I do like to steer with the tiller for the feedback and the thrill when your heeled over and zipping along. I have an Islands 15 daysailor that is a blast when the wind pipes up