 |
|
12-05-2011, 03:24
|
#1
|
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 1
|
Pros and Cons of a Double Helm Position
Hello,
I am considering to build a modification of Van de Stadt Moorea 45
The original design has a double helm position, but I think that a single helm a bit further back would provide for more seating space in the cockpit and I really don't need the double helm (considering also the added cost of wheels, electronics, etc.)
Would you advise on the pros and cons of a double helm position vs. single helm for blue water long-distance cruising.
Thanks!
Yavor
|
|
|
12-05-2011, 03:42
|
#2
|
Moderator

Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Denmark (Winter), Cruising North Sea and Baltic (Summer)
Boat: Cutter-Rigged Moody 54
Posts: 35,307
|
Re: Pros and cons of a double helm position
I think that the main reason for double helms is to allow people to move around the cockpit more freely. A single helm on the centerline is an effective roadblock in the cockpit.
Besides that, a double helm allows you to steer from the high side of the boat when heeled, giving you better visibility. You might have better visibility when docking, too, by steering from the side you are docking to.
Downside: more expense and complication.
|
|
|
12-05-2011, 05:44
|
#3
|
Senior Cruiser

Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Thunder Bay, Ontario - 48-29N x 89-20W
Boat: (Cruiser Living On Dirt)
Posts: 51,858
|
Re: Pros and cons of a double helm position
Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Yavor.
__________________
Gord May
"If you didn't have the time or money to do it right in the first place, when will you get the time/$ to fix it?"
|
|
|
12-05-2011, 06:14
|
#4
|
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Boston, MA
Boat: Bristol 38.8
Posts: 1,625
|
Re: Pros and cons of a double helm position
I view double helms as a racing affectation. They make little sense on a cruising boat. If the wheel takes up too much space, get a smaller one. Or make it detachable so that you can get it out of the way when at anchor or moored.
IMHO twin wheels do make sense on catamarans, because they are so wide.
|
|
|
12-05-2011, 06:29
|
#5
|
C.L.O.D

Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: UK
Boat: Kalik 40
Posts: 8,264
|
Re: Pros and cons of a double helm position
Never thought of it before, but second helm = spare helm. That's easier than messing about with an emergency tiller...
|
|
|
12-05-2011, 06:34
|
#6
|
Senior Cruiser

Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: PORTUGAL
Posts: 31,297
|
Re: Pros and cons of a double helm position
Quote:
Originally Posted by SaucySailoress
Never thought of it before, but second helm = spare helm. That's easier than messing about with an emergency tiller...
|
Damn... I thought it was for 'Learning to Sail'.... like driving schools cars with dual controls... if you screw up the YM Instructor can 'disengage' and take over...
Just goes to show.... one never knows it all Huh....
__________________

You can't oppress a people for so many decades and have them say.. "I Love You.. ".
"It is better to die standing proud, than to live a lifetime on ones knees.."
Self Defence is no excuse for Genocide...
|
|
|
12-05-2011, 20:52
|
#7
|
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Boston, MA
Boat: Bristol 38.8
Posts: 1,625
|
Re: Pros and Cons of a Double Helm Position
It's not the wheel that breaks, it's the rudder.
|
|
|
12-05-2011, 21:13
|
#8
|
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Bourbonnais, Illinois
Boat: McGregor venture 15 "IMP"
Posts: 506
|
Re: Pros and Cons of a Double Helm Position
Upside: They look sweet!
__________________
Live in the sunshine, swim the sea, drink the wild air…
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
|
|
|
12-05-2011, 21:14
|
#9
|
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 146
|
Re: Pros and Cons of a Double Helm Position
Twin helms can have single or twin rudders,single helm can also have twin or single rudder. Twin rudders make sense on some boats, twin helm are more for if you have xtra money and want to look kewell.
|
|
|
12-05-2011, 23:19
|
#10
|
Registered User

Join Date: May 2008
Location: We're technically refugees from our home in Yemen now living in Lebenon
Boat: 1978 CT48
Posts: 5,970
|
Re: Pros and Cons of a Double Helm Position
Our cockpit is small, we built the binnacle so it can be canted (and locked) from side to side and in the center position.
Works great, gives the economy of a single helm with the ease of moving about in the cockpit, and also keeps the wheel on the high side.
Some pictures/details are here at an old thread.
http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...elm-20622.html
__________________
James
S/V Arctic Lady
I love my boat, I can't afford not to!
|
|
|
13-05-2011, 04:28
|
#11
|
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Winter land based UK New Forest. Summer months away. Making the transition from sail to power this year - scary stuff.
Boat: Super Van Craft 1320 Power Yacht
Posts: 2,175
|
Re: Pros and Cons of a Double Helm Position
The only rationale for twin wheels is to allow the helm to sit on the windward rail and steer effectively.
As boats have got wider over the past three decades, the single wheels continued to grow in size. But as someone else has already commented, the boats got so wide and the wheeels got so big designers had to find ways to make them fit.
On our Grand Soleil 42 the single wheel had a trench it dipped into but it did reach from side to side. Invariably such large wheels dominated cockpits and were an obstruction moving fore and aft.
The concept of twin wheels, one each side of the cockpit, was the best solution. And having two does allow you to did topside and continue helming - whilst seeing whats going on, or indeed slide down to leeward and use than lower wheel whilst trimming sails or keeping and eye on someone crossing you.........
Plenty of cruisers have a single wheel without issues, but IMHO twin wheels are more practical.
Cheers
JOHN
|
|
|
13-05-2011, 04:42
|
#12
|
Armchair Bucketeer
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 10,012
|
Re: Pros and Cons of a Double Helm Position
One for the wife............
|
|
|
13-05-2011, 05:25
|
#13
|
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Southern California
Boat: 1979 Union Polaris 36'
Posts: 362
|
Re: Pros and Cons of a Double Helm Position
Why are you steering for "blue water long-distance cruising"?
|
|
|
13-05-2011, 06:17
|
#14
|
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: NSW Australia
Boat: Traditional 30
Posts: 1,980
|
Re: Pros and Cons of a Double Helm Position
Ditto what most others have already posted. But also they increase the "footprint- helm area" of the helmsman without the need for a massive wheel in the middle. He is able to steer from a variety of positions -particulaly handy when he wants to get down low and look under the headsail or sit high to see forward, or when berthing.
The rendundancy option is there also if one steering system gives out. But that is only assuming it has dual controls all the way to the rudder post.
__________________
Cheers
Oz
...............
|
|
|
21-06-2024, 11:33
|
#15
|
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 23
|
Re: Pros and Cons of a Double Helm Position
Twin wheels have a advantage on a crewed racing boat but are a costly waste of cockpit space and over complication on a cruising boat, where the autopilot does the steering. It dismays me to see so many otherswise nice cruising boats ruined by this ghastly fad.
|
|
|
 |
|
Thread Tools |
Search this Thread |
|
|
Display Modes |
Rate This Thread |
Linear Mode
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
Advertise Here
Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Vendor Spotlight |
|
|