wheel vs. tiller steering

[SaltyMonkey]

Well they could've install the wheel sideways. That would be interesting

[Delancey]

You mean like this guy who installed his tiller sideways?

[SaltyMonkey]

Interesting, Del. But I was thinking the wheel, like this

\ || /
_____

where || is the wheel

Interesting also is a sideways tiller

\ ==o/
______

where ==o is the tiller.

[Ukeluthier]

Originally Posted by Delancey

You mean like this guy who installed his tiller sideways?

The "EVS system" sketched in the attachment could not possibly work unless the gear attached to the rudder post were a quadrant of sorts arranged coaxially with the post (such quadrant being just a section of a bevel gear), not a perpendicularly mounted bevel gear as shown.

And if the former is the case, the system is mechanically no different from the very successful rack and pinion quadrant wheel system I installed to replace the tiller on my little catboat.

Works like a charm; provides all the feedback of a tiller with better ergonomics.

[TeddyDiver]

Originally Posted by SaltyMonkey

Interesting also is a sideways tiller

\ ==o/
______

where ==o is the tiller.

A steerboard has tiller sideways..

[jreiter190]

I've got an Alberg 35 and steer with a tiller and an Auto helm 2000. I've also got a pedestal guard mounted to the bridge deck which is a pretty good place to steady oneself at the tiller. There's room for an hydraulic pump to be mounted on the guard with a line run back to a ram connected to the tiller 18"forward the rudderstock let into the cockpit locker. The pump has a bypass valve. Windvane, tiller, tiller pilot or wheel; best of all worlds..the hydraulic components will be around a grand.

[MarcHall]

Crazy Fish is a Crealock 37 which I bought new with a wheel in 1989.
Converted the boat to tiller about 2 years ago.

Benefits of tiller

• Better feel
• When driving the boat, sit/stand further ahead in the cockpit which provides better access to sheet winches, traveler mounted mid-boom and control lines which are run back to cockpit (halyard, reef lines, staysail sheets, etc). Also better protected from weather.
• Can keep the tiller between the legs and free both hands to work lines, winches, etc.
• Cleaner attachment/adjustment for Monitor Windvane lines
• With tiller extension, can sit outboard for better sight lines
• At anchor or at the dock, the cockpit is more open, cockpit lockers more accessible.
• Simpler then wheel steering with the gears, cables, etc.

Cons of tiller

• When cockpit is full of quests, it is more difficult to steer/tack then with a wheel

Benefit of wheel

• Pedestal provides a good place to mount a cockpit table, drink holders, etc.
• Pedestal provides a good place to mount compass (not mounted on the cabin bulkhead at the forward end of the cockpit.
• Good place to mount instruments but crew forward of the pedestal can't observe them - instruments now mounted over the cabin hatch just aft of traveler.
• People new to the boat probably adapt to wheel steering quicker/easier then the tiller

Cons of wheel

• Occupies a lot of cockpit space and breaks up the cockpit.
• More complex
• When driving the boat sit/stand further aft more exposed to weather

Autopilot is WH (Will Ham) hydraulic ram with an electric motor driving a hydraulic pump. Ram is attached to the Edson tiller post all below decks. Works equally well with wheel or tiller.

I am happy I made the change.
Your viewpoint may differ

Regards
Marc Hall
Crazy Fish - Maintaining, Upgrading and Sailing a Crealock 37 | SV Crazy Fish

[Neale]

Better ask "stupid questions" rather than fix stupid mistakes.

[danstanford]

Originally Posted by SaltyMonkey

Well they could've install the wheel sideways. That would be interesting

I spent some time driving a lobster boat in the waters off Prince Edward Island and the steering was a vertical tiller mounted for and aft right in front of the winch to haul the traps on the port side. As I remember pushing it forward turned the boat to starboard.