Newbie question about wheel steering

[Sailinstuff]

Originally Posted by Cheechako

Yeah, sometimes people seem to insist on you "making it their way" on this forum. I see no issue with going to the bulkhead mounted steering pump. Should be an easy modification (as boat mods go!) power boats with much harder-to-steer outdrives do this with small wheels. You dont need two wheels, I'm sure you can see fine from one side of the cockpit or the other. The other plus is getting the helm up where you are shielded by the dodger. Great idea.

I seem to always find myself sitting to windward and reaching out to steer so I thought I'd put in two wheels. Guess I could try it with a single and see how I like it. Easy to add another, I suppose. But you know.... I really like to do a job and go away from it if I can.

[Cheechako]

Put the money saved into an autopilot! You people still actually steer? :>)

[s/v Beth]

Originally Posted by Cheechako

Boy.... that's gonna be a long tiller on a cc boat! I guess he could sit in a lawn chair in back!

Alright, I deserved that one. I just hate wheel steering...

[Bash]

Originally Posted by delmarrey

As for big wheels they just get in the way AFAIC.

Even when the mechanical advantage of a large wheel isn't a factor, it's nice to be able to steer from the high side.

Of course, big-wheel sailors who want to sit on the high side, watch the tell-tales and steer by feel generally avoid center-cockpit boats anyway.

Sigh. What was the question? Dual hydraulic steering on a full-keel, CC boat?

Why not.

[rtbates]

Originally Posted by Cheechako

Boy.... that's gonna be a long tiller on a cc boat! I guess he could sit in a lawn chair in back!

Not necessarily. I have steered my 25 footer's tiller from the bow with two lines run through blocks on each side of the cockpit coaming and then along the deck forward. With these lines I can steer my boat from anywhere between the bow and the stern, including down below while sitting on the head, if need be.
With the head sail roller reefed to less than 100% and both the active and lazy genoa sheets adjusted correctly and I can tack all day from anywhere on the boat with those two lines. Gotta love the tiller, I do.

[cal40john]

Originally Posted by rtbates

Not necessarily. I have steered my 25 footer's tiller from the bow with two lines run through blocks on each side of the cockpit coaming and then along the deck forward. With these lines I can steer my boat from anywhere between the bow and the stern, including down below while sitting on the head, if need be.
With the head sail roller reefed to less than 100% and both the active and lazy genoa sheets adjusted correctly and I can tack all day from anywhere on the boat with those two lines. Gotta love the tiller, I do.

You're not steering with a tiller, you've re-invented cable steering.

[Cheechako]

Originally Posted by s/v Beth

Alright, I deserved that one. I just hate wheel steering...

I couldnt help it Newt... just had to... Actually I think the Norsea 27 CC has a tiller that goes over the aft cabin top...?

[Andrew Troup]

A vertical tiller (whipstaff) can sometimes be a good match with a centre cockpit.

[Dennis.G]

Consider this:
Changes from the standard layout of the boat have the potential of reducing its value if and when you decide that selling the boat is a good idea. Putting extra dollars into a boat with the possible result of reducing its value is something that should be thought out before doing.

[delmarrey]

Originally Posted by Bash

Even when the mechanical advantage of a large wheel isn't a factor, it's nice to be able to steer from the high side.

Of course, big-wheel sailors who want to sit on the high side, watch the tell-tales and steer by feel generally avoid center-cockpit boats anyway.

Sigh. What was the question? Dual hydraulic steering on a full-keel, CC boat?

Why not.

Mine is an IOR design, which makes the high side only 4' away from the wheel, which is an arms reach while sitting on the high side. So, it really matters what type of boat. Some boats have a transom so wide that they have two helm stations, P & S, or a swing over pedestal.

Besides my boat pretty much steers itself once all the sailing gear is set. Only motoring or down wind do I need to be at the wheel, or heavy weather, but that's what auto pilots are for.