Solo: Tiller vs Two Wheels

[Dr. D]

I've read Andrew Evans' manual on solo sailing and it is all excellent advice. In the chapter on boat selection, he greatly favors a tiller over a single wheel with good rationale. But what about two wheels?

My boat does have two wheels and I frequently sail solo. The aft winches are easy to reach from behind each wheel and the movement from one wheel to the other is two steps. Access to the coachroof winches and clutches is three steps, unimpeded. When going forward I either engage the autopilot or tighten the wheel lock.

The one point Evans makes which I disagree with is that tillers are for sailing while seated while wheels are for sailing while standing. I can sit behind or beside either wheel comfortably, so I have a choice to stand or sit.

Any thoughts on tiller vs two wheels?

[thinwater]

Except on boats less than 30', where wheels are just silly, these discussions usually devolve into "boxers vs. briefs." I've had both, and other things matter more. Either way, you will have an autopilot.

[JPA Cate]

Only a comment: our friend who built his boat with two wheels, made each an entire separate steering system. If you do that, you have backup if one of your steering cables breaks. I don't know the Beneteau system, so cannot comment on it. I wouldn't remove the wheels since you like them and are comfortable with them. They do give you more leverage.

Ann

[Fintry]

Above a boat length of around 40', tillers must be so long they are a nuisance. Below around 30', as noted above, wheels get to be silly. In between, you have a choice. When racing, steering all the time, I prefer a tiller. When cruising, mostly steering with the autopilot, I prefer a wheel because I will only be hand steering in close quarters or docking and will be standing.

[Kettlewell]

A lot depends on the total setup of the cockpit, whether tiller or wheel. I love the feel of steering by tiller, and could easily do so with my leg over the tiller while eating a sandwich or sipping hot coffee. One issue with some wheel rigs is that you are so far away from the cabin that you are both exposed and distant from grabbing something you might want below. Sure, the autopilot helps with all that, but there are times when you want to steer, it is rough, you suddenly need the binoculars, and it is not the best place to be perched well aft. Of course some tillers leave you way back there too. The ideal is to have both jib sheets and the main sheet, and any staysail sheets, right there so you don't have to take any steps to handle everything, including the steering. I once had a boat with the wheel aft in the cockpit, so not ideal from a protection standpoint, but both sheets went to a centrally mounted big winch right behind the helm. Made it very easy to tack singlehanded without leaving the helm.

[Stu Jackson]

Originally Posted by thinwater

Except on boats less than 30', where wheels are just silly, these discussions usually devolve into "boxers vs. briefs." I've had both, and other things matter more. Either way, you will have an autopilot.

That's my experience, too. On my tillered Catalina 25, I used Letcher's sheet to tiller steering because the mainsheet was right there. Eventually got a Navico tiller pilot. My Catalina 34 has an ST3000 wheel pilot. i see little difference other than standing or sitting when using the "thing" that moves the rudder. I have repeatedly mentioned that my advice is to "not be a slave behind the wheel" and my AP control head is placed where I can reach it from behind or in front of the wheel. Except for leaving and returning to a dock, I'm rarely behind the wheel. I do not understand people who claim that a disadvantage of a wheel is that you're out and exposed - why?

[Kettlewell]

I do not understand people who claim that a disadvantage of a wheel is that you're out and exposed - why?

Why--because I love steering! I can do it all day or longer, but it's nice not to be in the sun, wind, and rain all day too.

[Bowdrie]

My boat is only 35' and could use a tiller, but I really like the wheel steering.
And the sheets/winches are within easy reach.
However, (and after I win the lottery,) the next boat will have two steering wheels, (and the cannons too).
But it won't need winches to haul-in the various lines, there'll be wenches for that.

[thomm225]

Originally Posted by Dr. D

I've read Andrew Evans' manual on solo sailing and it is all excellent advice. In the chapter on boat selection, he greatly favors a tiller over a single wheel with good rationale. But what about two wheels?

My boat does have two wheels and I frequently sail solo. The aft winches are easy to reach from behind each wheel and the movement from one wheel to the other is two steps. Access to the coachroof winches and clutches is three steps, unimpeded. When going forward I either engage the autopilot or tighten the wheel lock.

The one point Evans makes which I disagree with is that tillers are for sailing while seated while wheels are for sailing while standing. I can sit behind or beside either wheel comfortably, so I have a choice to stand or sit.

Any thoughts on tiller vs two wheels?

I rarely sit when steering with the tiller.

I did once when the winds were gusting to 35 knots and I had the wrong sail up (the mainsail) and couldn't go forward to lower.

Usually though, the tiller is controlled by the autopilot as those of use that sail solo depend on a lot.

Video is after 3 hours on my lower bay crossing where it meets the Atlantic Ocean. Things had laid down enough for me to grab my camera from below.

I still almost had a accident gybe.

Second video is how I normally sail as a solo sailor.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nXfjcCuiPk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agtdrmAqojs

[chrisr]

i'll say in advance that i do not know the book or author to which you refer...only that it was published in 2014.

what i will say is that many of these so called sailing bibles were written years ago and based upon experience gained even further back.

technology and design has overtaken them

eg frankly it doesn't matter if you have wheel or tiller. as a solo sailor 90% of the time you will be in autopilot, and correct choice and installation of this is far more important

twin wheels have become the norm only recently, due to the wide sterns on modern boats, and they also make using the cockpit much easier

tillers will always have more feel, and on a racing boat up to say TP52, i'd always have tiller...but sitting twisted at a tiller for hours on end is no fun and a wheel allows many different positions

on a cruising boat, over 30', a wheel always...and twin wheels over 40'

btw of course you can steer sitting at a wheel...most people do...although many make the mistake of sitting behind the wheel...far better to sit beside it up wind - only behind the wheel when you are downhill

cheers,

[noelex 77]

There is very little to go wrong with a tiller. KISS.

[Don C L]

A 35' boat has two wheels? I guess I gotta get out more.

Ok so looking at your boat (Oceanis 35, right?) I am not even sure you CAN put in A tiller. Does your boat have access for emergency tillers for the two rudders?

I guess there is no way to rig a wind vane either?

Ordinarily, like Noelex, I say simplify it. But in your case I think you are stuck (or lucky, depending on your tastes) with it the way it is.

[ChrisJHC]

One difference is that, while going upwind or on the beam you’re sitting with your back to the wind and rain with a tiller whereas with a wheel you’re facing into it.

[Dr. D]

Originally Posted by Don C L

Ok so looking at your boat (Oceanis 35, right?) I am not even sure you CAN put in A tiller. Does your boat have access for emergency tillers for the two rudders?

I guess there is no way to rig a wind vane either?

Two wheels and two rudders. No option for a tiller, but the boat does have an emergency tiller (which I need to try out before an emergency).

I looked around and there is one make of wind vane that would fit. If I ever get into sailing long distances I'll consider installing it.

[Knotical]

With 2 wheels, you must likely be standing on the windward wheel while going upwind and your working Genoa sheet on the leeward winch, right? If yes, are you still able to access the sheet? If yes then 2 wheels are not required.

Honestly, if you have a functioning autopilot then single handling is possible regardless of what system you have.