[Public-List] tiller vs wheel

[Gordon Laco]

Hi Joseph - 

I have grown to like our factory installed wheel... But it took some getting
used to.  I wouldn't have chosen it if I had had the choice.  I think a
tiller is superior in most aspects but one; when motoring one feels much the
gentleman yachtsman sitting behind a wheel....

SURPRISE is fitted with Edson cable steering, generally inferior to the old
Whitlock (a classic story there of a fine marine product line gobbled up by
a giant Lewmar, then destroyed by poor service).

The cable steering gives reasonable feedback to the helmsman's hand - like I
said, I have become used to the wheel despite having it being added to the
list of things I used to pound the table, spilling people's beer while
swearing I'd never have them (non-wooden hull, standing headroom, inboard
engine, roller headsail furling, all once signs of weakness and disloyalty
to the old way...  My wife would chant in response 'dry bunks, no pumping,
dry bunks, dry bunks, dry bunks...)

We once had a cable bolt on the quadrant break; I got the emergency tiller
on in seconds and was delighted to find that the wheel forward position
allows a nearly full length emerg tiller - I was able to steer quite
merrily.

If I were installing the wheel again, I would put it about 18" further aft
from where the factory put it... Which is approx even with the forward sheet
winch position.   I know the intention was to put the helmsman in about the
same place in the cockpit as when at the end of the stick in order to keep
his weight out of the aft end... But the practical outcome is a very crowded
forward end of the cockpit.   Ergonomically it is not great.  Someday I may
move it aft about level with the engine shift control where it should have
been to open elbow room for the sheet tenders.

Gord #426 SURPRISE


On 10/09/10 8:07 AM, "John Birch" <Sunstone at cogeco.ca> wrote:

> Don't
> 
> Our A30 had one and I never knew the pleasure of steering a stick A 30 until
> after I sold her. Had I known, I would have tossed the wheel overboard. A
> wheel is unnecessary on an A 30. Our A 37 has one and it is quite necessary.
> 
> Just my 2 cents
> 
> Best
> 
> John
> 
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Joseph Balderson" <joebinc at gmail.com>
> To: <Public-List at lists.alberg30.org>
> Sent: Friday, September 10, 2010 7:41 AM
> Subject: [Public-List] tiller vs wheel
> 
> 
>> Has anyone successfully changed to wheel steering? What type did you use?
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