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06-01-2025, 08:16
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#16
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2021
Location: Michigan
Boat: Columbia 9.6, Hunter Cherubini 37, Jeanneau 57
Posts: 436
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Re: Tiller to Wheel steering conversion
If you really want to go to a wheel, contact Edson. They know a thing or two. If you do this, make sure you understand that the core in your cockpit will be compromised unless you are very thorough with your sealing of the installation. The complexity and difficulty is not as bad as some are saying, but it will be a bit claustrophobic, often dirty, and expensive. Whereas a tiller is a stick. If it's really on your must have list, you should find a boat that already has it. Provided you haven't paid yet anyhow.
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06-01-2025, 08:42
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#17
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Seattle
Boat: Cal 40 (sold). Still have a Hobie 20
Posts: 2,975
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Re: Tiller to Wheel steering conversion
Check the viability of putting a wheel on the specific boat you're looking at before buying the boat.
Have you looked at how the rudder stock gets to the tiller? I've sailed mostly older boats, but all the tiller boats had a solid fiberglass tube from the hull the cockpit sole/deck/wherever it comes out.
If it is one of those, you have to cut the tube, put in a stuffing box, put in reinforcements to hold the tube from moving, and buy a two part quadrant or cut the rudderstock just on the rudder side of things. If the tiller mounts to a rudder stock that exits the cockpit sole, you might only have less than a foot from hull to cockpit sole.
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06-01-2025, 10:46
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#18
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 113
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Re: Tiller to Wheel steering conversion
I have a friend with an Allied Princess 35 and a wheel. Works fine. The size of the wheel is usually limited by the cockpit dimensions on a boat not designed for the wheel. His wheel is rather forward in the cockpit, more often they are pretty far aft.
Hydraulics have no feel, used when necessary for other reasons, like force. As noted above your challenge is the quadrant and cable routing. You can get a wheel autopilot.
Clearly there are a lot of tiller enthusiasts responding. I view this as a matter of choice. The hard part is the engineering to install the parts. There will have to be reinforcements where there are turning blocks and for the pedestal. And you need room for the quadrant. It is common to have a way to rig an emergency tiller, important on a well-found boat.
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06-01-2025, 11:38
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#19
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2021
Location: PNW
Boat: 35 Ft. cutter, custom
Posts: 2,952
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Re: Tiller to Wheel steering conversion
Has the OP actually stated what the make/model/year of the boat is?
With that info better decisions can be made that are applicable to the issue.
__________________
Beginning to Prepare to Commence
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06-01-2025, 11:50
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#20
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Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: San Diego, CA
Boat: 1987 C&C 35 MK3
Posts: 46
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Re: Tiller to Wheel steering conversion
Quote:
Originally Posted by Carbinemarine
we are in the process of purchasing a 35' Monohull Yacht
we love pretty much everything about the boat except the tiller steering
so we are investigating the possibility of converting this to Helm wheel steering. Having done some reading about the pros and cons of tiller vs wheel
the one thing i was hoping to get a little feedback on is that of wheel size.
in particular the benefits of a bigger wheel and the higher torque they can generate. we have been involved with 7-9m runabouts for a number of years and these generally use a hydraulic steering system with a smaller wheel (i do like the look of the larger wheel and i am aware of the folding wheels) i cant see any reason why a hydraulic system that is designed to move a large 300hp outboard engine couldn't be adapted to control a rudder with a smaller helm steering wheel. However when you are researching these things you dont know what you dont know so there may be a good reason why you cant/ shouldnt do this, advice and wisdom appreciated
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I have much of the steering gear you might need as I recently removed the binnacle and associated gear from my C&C 35 MKIII and converted to tiller steering. Feel free to reach out.
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06-01-2025, 17:04
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#21
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Lake Macquarie
Boat: Farr 1020
Posts: 486
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Re: Tiller to Wheel steering conversion
Oh dear, it appears most answers are more focused at "do not do it" rather than what you ask, so.... I own a 34ft yacht which was designed and built for tiller, but previous owners converted to a wheel. As such, a few points to note:
1. Wheel size depends on where you wish to sit/stand to steer from and can you then reach the wheel. Do not fuss over torque as it will be sorted in the system.
2. Hydraulics remove the "feel" as Ann said, but they also give max flexibility in where to fit the pedestal. You need to map out where you want this and then see if mechanical linkages can work for you.
3. Wheel steering also removes a bit of feel, increases friction slightly but no worries if you do not race.
4. Mechanical linkages can be direct drive linkages or the more common, but less direct, chain and cable. You choose. I have direct linkage and there is no slop, very positive steering and no risk of the chain jumping off sprocket or cable pulleys failing etc.
5. Where you mount the pedestal will need strengthening. The cockpit floor will flex and absolutely needs bracing against weighty crew being thrown against the pedestal in rough weather.
6. Biggest job of all is to drop the rudder, cut the rudder tube under deck and fit a gland/stuffing box to waterproof the shaft penetration below deck. This is a real whatsith of a job due to restricted access. Then the quadrant sits on that and rudder is replaced.
7. Autopilot can now be mounted under the deck direct to the quadrant.
8. Practice refitting the tiller above deck as you will need this as your emergency.
If you want to do this, then you can proceed, but it may be worth while experiencing the tiller for a while and making your own choice when you have that knowledge, not before.
Roger
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07-01-2025, 00:32
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#22
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Paynesville Victoria Australia
Boat: Stuart 47
Posts: 211
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Re: Tiller to Wheel steering conversion
Just one more thought, it is often possible to design a tiller/rudder post connection that lifts up/pivots out of the way completely freeing up the aft cockpit space when not in use.
If there is an autopilot operating on a separate short tiller arm, (perhaps under the cockpit floor or in the lazeret), the tiller can then also be lifed out of the way when using the autopilot. It will of course still rotate with the rudder, but hopefully it will be pointing upwards and out of the way of crew, but ready to be lowered down for use at any time.
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07-01-2025, 07:11
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#23
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Sweden
Boat: Aphrodite 33
Posts: 10
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Re: Tiller to Wheel steering conversion
When we bought our Aphrodite 33, 11 years ago (we are third owner) I converted from tiller to wheel steering. We decided to buy a Jefa system. To make it as simple and easy maintenanced as possible we choosed a rack and pinion steering system. With normal handy it is not very difficult to rebuild. You need some understanding in strength of materials only.
The Aphrodite 33 is very easy to steer. Because of that we disigned it as "direct" with so few rotations between endstop as possible - 3/4 rotation from straigt forward to stop at each side. In that way you have the same "feeling" from rudder as with a tiller.
If you choose as large diameter as possible you have more flexibility in steering position.'
Good luck!
https://jefa.com/steering/steering.htm
I think Edson and Lewmar have corresponding systems.
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07-01-2025, 10:02
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#24
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: Upstate, SC USA
Boat: Looking
Posts: 389
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Re: Tiller to Wheel steering conversion
Better feel and rudder feed back through a tiller than a wheel. It's easier for me to get the balance right by feel of a tiller. A wheel, not so much. I tend to get the zig zag more often with a wheel than a tiller. I've never "cruised" enough to use an autopilot.
__________________
Go with Flo. She's Progressive.
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07-01-2025, 10:21
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#25
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2021
Location: PNW
Boat: 35 Ft. cutter, custom
Posts: 2,952
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Re: Tiller to Wheel steering conversion
The OP hasn't been back in a week to tell us anything about the boat.
__________________
Beginning to Prepare to Commence
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07-01-2025, 11:59
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#26
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Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 142
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Re: Tiller to Wheel steering conversion
Quote:
Originally Posted by Carbinemarine
we are in the process of purchasing a 35' Monohull Yacht
we love pretty much everything about the boat except the tiller steering
so we are investigating the possibility of converting this to Helm wheel steering. Having done some reading about the pros and cons of tiller vs wheel
the one thing i was hoping to get a little feedback on is that of wheel size.
in particular the benefits of a bigger wheel and the higher torque they can generate. we have been involved with 7-9m runabouts for a number of years and these generally use a hydraulic steering system with a smaller wheel (i do like the look of the larger wheel and i am aware of the folding wheels) i cant see any reason why a hydraulic system that is designed to move a large 300hp outboard engine couldn't be adapted to control a rudder with a smaller helm steering wheel. However when you are researching these things you dont know what you dont know so there may be a good reason why you cant/ shouldnt do this, advice and wisdom appreciated
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It's only a 35Ft boat. It can be helmed much more intuitively in its present form with a tiller. A totally unnecessary hydraulic system would ; (a), damp all feedback from the rudder, and (b), leave you devoid of steering if there were a complete loss of power, something which appears to be relatively common if reports from the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) are to be believed.
Try to borrow or rent a small tiller-steered boat, (up to 35') to experience the imediacy, the directness and the simplicity of tiller-steering, before going ahead with any (unnecessary and unwise) alterations to a boat which was designed to be tiller-steered.
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07-01-2025, 14:14
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#27
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2022
Location: USA East Coast
Boat: Edel 35
Posts: 113
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Re: Tiller to Wheel steering conversion
Quote:
Originally Posted by PC45
When we bought our Aphrodite 33, 11 years ago (we are third owner) I converted from tiller to wheel steering. We decided to buy a Jefa system. To make it as simple and easy maintenanced as possible we choosed a rack and pinion steering system. With normal handy it is not very difficult to rebuild. You need some understanding in strength of materials only.
The Aphrodite 33 is very easy to steer. Because of that we disigned it as "direct" with so few rotations between endstop as possible - 3/4 rotation from straigt forward to stop at each side. In that way you have the same "feeling" from rudder as with a tiller.
If you choose as large diameter as possible you have more flexibility in steering position.'
Good luck!
https://jefa.com/steering/steering.htm
I think Edson and Lewmar have corresponding systems.
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Which components did you buy for your rack and pinion and how much did they cost, your link is to Jefa autopilot drives unfortunately .
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08-01-2025, 02:05
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#28
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Sweden
Boat: Aphrodite 33
Posts: 10
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Re: Tiller to Wheel steering conversion
Quote:
Which components did you buy for your rack and pinion and how much did they cost, your link is to Jefa autopilot drives unfortunately .
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If you look under "Examples" and go to "Rack and pinion" you will find what I bought: Jefa RP150 rack and pinion steering pedestals
https://jefa.com/steering/images/RP150-4a.jpg
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08-01-2025, 04:56
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#29
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Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 142
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Re: Tiller to Wheel steering conversion
Quote:
Originally Posted by CatLove
Which components did you buy for your rack and pinion and how much did they cost, your link is to Jefa autopilot drives unfortunately .
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On the left-hand side you will see the words"Main Menu". Clicking on there will enable you yo explore the whole website, but if you do decide to ignore the advice of almost the entire community, you had better buy very quickly ; Jefa is a Danish company, so when your Supreme Leader takes power, the prices will be increased by 25%, due to his intended tarrifs. That is of course, if their products becoming completely unavailable, due to total war does not break out between the US and the aforementioned tiny European country
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08-01-2025, 06:30
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#30
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: North of San Francisco, Bodega Bay
Boat: 44' Custom Aluminum Cutter, & Pearson 30
Posts: 941
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Re: Tiller to Wheel steering conversion
If i were converting a boat I would go with rod steering. Look at the Edson site. I think it would be expensive and crazy to do the conversion. Look for a boat built with a wheel.
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