Only if there is access to an exposed bit of rudder stock and on many tiller steered boats, particularly older boats this is just not possible as the rudder tube goes right up to the aft deck. Fine if the designers allowed for fitment of the ram as many modern tiller steered boats do, but not for the large number of older boats whose only option is a tiller pilot.
To elaborate a bit: it might be a great simplification to have two rudder stocks each with a tiller on top. But that would limit the helm to sitting on the down side when the view from the windward side is likely to be better. Not sure if anyone has ever tried two linked tillers as an alternative to one central tiller with a long extension...
But we're discussing new build boats...?
Sunfast 3200. So old hat it's not a current model... The later 3300 has reverted to a single tiller very similar to the J99 above.
That reminds me of sailing downwind in a flotilla yacht with a tiller. And finding that as we rolled I could stand keeping the tiller between my knees and the roll would apply just the right correction to give a straight course. (But this was not as far back as when Snapdragon 747s were flotilla boats!) I don't think the pictured yacht is meant to go downhill.Sunfast 3200. So old hat it's not a current model... The later 3300 has reverted to a single tiller very similar to the J99 above.
Get your feet tangled in all that string at just the right height to catch them, and I reckon things could go downhill pretty fast.
Twin tillers are better in wide assed boats. Twin rudders too.
I find I can steer a 30 meter boat, plus bowsprit, very easily with a single wheel. While not bang up to date she was built in 2006.
Ability to steer does not equal ability to sail effectively. If you want to see the sails in a variety of conditions in a boat with a 3.5m+ beam carried aft you need either a huge wheel or twin helms. As a recent purchaser of a twin helmed boat, my first, it is without doubt a considerable advantage to wander to and fro across the cockpit for forward vision and sail monitoring. The access through the cockpit is also a noticable benefit. It's not that a single wheel cannot be made to work, it's just not as effective.
I'm sure I'm not alone in not caring what waggles the rudder as long as the rudder waggles.
A lot does depend on the beam of the boat - and whether you like to be able to be up by the side to see the jib luff (many older boats had tiny wheels with very little forward vision of sails etc).
I was thinking about that small child sat in the cockpit with no visible LJ or lifeline as the parents are looking out of the boat.
Is this high-tech solution going, by some magic, to have the feedback that several people have mentioned?
Of course
