Can anyone cure me of my prejudice against wheel steering?

[cindersailor]

I am always thinking of the options for 'the next boat', as I think many of us do. I am thinking long term trips - round UK, Atlantic islands etc. up to 33 feet, quite possibly long keel (think Nic 31, Vancouver 32, Tradewind 33). However, there are plenty of perfectly respectable boats which I rule out because they have wheel steering and I have been trying to rationalise my reasons for doing so. I like tillers for the sense of a direct connection with the boat and the water flowing past. Also the lack of an obstruction in the middle of the cockpit, the ease of connection to wind vane self steering and simplicity of the engineering involved. I think it is possibly the latter point which concerns me most about wheel steering - all the linkages, gears, connections and bearings which simply represent something else to maintain and potentially go wrong at inconvenient times. There is so much less to go wrong with a stick of wood and its connection to the rudder. Am I wrong? Should I be adding Moody and Scanmar 33s to my list?

 

[savageseadog]

It's a lot easier to helm with a wheel in bad weather

 

[sailorman]

It's a lot easier to helm with a wheel in bad weather

Yes especially via an under deck A/H

 

[Downsman]

My Nic 32 mk X1 has a wheel situated right aft in the cockpit which leaves the cockpit 75% clear and Whitworth linked steering (no cables) there's plenty of direct feel in the steering. The Hydrovane I've fitted has steered brilliantly for many sea miles, including a TransAt. I appreciate not all the Nics have the same layout, mine is 1977 but I'm not that familiar with other Nic models.

 

[theoldsalt]

I too prefer a tiller for the "feel" of the boat and the space in the cockpit. However I also like a centre cockpit for the space an aft cabin provides so I guess I'm stuck with a wheel.

 

[ditchcrawler]

Having sailed mostly tiller boats all my life I recently converted my Moody 31 to wheel steering.This has transformed my sailing with regard to my bad back.No more being hunched over the tiller in a blow straining muscles, no bending down to operate the throttle as it is in front of me,as is the chartplotter.I have got round the access by having a Lewmar folding wheel.It has taken a bit of getting used to as half a turn of the wheel gives a large turn of the boat.
Also a press of the button and the autopilot is on/off and I do not have to go below to get it out of a locker and hook it up.This has extended my sailing life as has my Winchrite electric winch handle.Friends who have sailed my boat say they are surprised by the feedback from the wheel,i.e. it is not a dead feeling.
With regard to mechanics the Lewmar drag rod system is simplicity itself,even I managed to install it,no chains and wires.
Overall I am pleased with the wheel.
I will probably add a fold down table to the pedestal in the future.

 

[Tranona]

For the type of use you are describing you won't want to spend much time steering. Wheel steering is very reliable, usually has good feel if you need it, makes a good autopilot installation easier, but arguably a windvane less so - unless you have a Hydrovane. Then you can drive it with a small tiller pilot for use under motor.

Other things about the boat are more important than steering method.

 

[Bav34]

Agree with all DC says.

We once were alongside the Channel Light Vessel in a genuine 7 as confirmed by R4 and our instruments. The boat was a Tempest ... brilliant boat, but tiller steering.

First the Autohelm gave up. After an hour my wife gave up. I ended up crouched in one position using just the left side of my body to haul the boat back on course as the waves tried to spin it to windward. Arrived in Guernsey unable to tie the boat up and sore for a week.

Contrast that to my current boat with wheel steering. You can sit on the coaming, the scalloped seat or just behind the wheel. You can stand when you feel a bit stiff. The floor is angled so that when the boat is heeled your feet are still horizontal.

Motoring is a pleasure. You sit looking the way you are going, not over your shoulder. You lean back on a cushioned lifeline, engage the Autopilot and 'relax'.

There is no lack of feel through the wheel and no excessive weight either.

Most modern racing boats have a wheel. Go figure

 

[jerrytug]

Yes, fair enough to the above views, *BUT*... you can have one hand on a tiller, and the other hand on winches, cleats and sheets, or anything else you need or fancy!
A wheel is a huge, dangerous, insurmountable barrier between me and operating the boat.
I don't need any inaccesible mechanisms to snap or jam either, but thanks for the offer.
Not to mention the feel of the water and the sensitivity to the sail balance.

All in my entrenched obstinate bigotry, obviously..

 

[Bav34]

Yes, fair enough to the above views, *BUT*... you can have one hand on a tiller, and the other hand on winches, cleats and sheets, or anything else you need or fancy!
A wheel is a huge, dangerous, insurmountable barrier between me and operating the boat.
I don't need any inaccesible mechanisms to snap or jam either, but thanks for the offer.
Not to mention the feel of the water and the sensitivity to the sail balance.

All in my entrenched obstinate bigotry, obviously..

Well I wish you'd told me earlier. Some friends of mine have just arrived back in the UK after a couple of TransAts in their wheel steered Westerly. Crikey, if only they'd known the danger they were in

 

[jerrytug]

Well I wish you'd told me earlier. Some friends of mine have just arrived back in the UK after a couple of TransAts in their wheel steered Westerly. Crikey, if only they'd known the danger they were in

Don't bother getting sarcastic, there's no call for that, I am expressing my preference and the reasons for it.
(Lots of people like wheels because they prefer floating motor camper-vans, there's no shame in it. )

 

[mainsail1]

A proper wheel with proper linkages is wonderful - not some Bavaria thing with sloppy cables and cheap gearboxes.
I was converted to wheel steering some 18 years ago and my arms have not ached since!

 

[Tranona]

All in my entrenched obstinate bigotry, obviously..

Exactly! You have clearly never sailed a well set up wheel steered boat. If you had, you would not be making these comments.

Just wonder how all the thousands of folks who have one manage if it is so awful.

 

[ProDave]

I'm biased.

Just about every boat I have ever helmed has a tiller. It's just so natural.

Then I got to hel a sailboat with a wheel. I found it a complete disaster. It had no "feel" for what was going on. I also learned for the first time that a rudder can stall if turned too far, but again, I didn't figure what was going on for some time as there was absolutely no feedback.

Appreciate all boats are different and the one I was on may not have been good.

 

[Bav34]

A proper wheel with proper linkages is wonderful - not some Bavaria thing with sloppy cables and cheap gearboxes.
I was converted to wheel steering some 18 years ago and my arms have not ached since!

Quite agree. Whitlock are well known for being some cheapo company who manufacture things from the Chinese tin. Or not.

Ps. Still trying to find a gearbox, thought they may have left it off my boat but apparently not.

http://www.lewmar.com/product-listing.asp?action=search&type=78

 

[Bodach na mara]

Yes, fair enough to the above views, *BUT*... you can have one hand on a tiller, and the other hand on winches, cleats and sheets, or anything else you need or fancy!
A wheel is a huge, dangerous, insurmountable barrier between me and operating the boat.
I don't need any inaccesible mechanisms to snap or jam either, but thanks for the offer.
Not to mention the feel of the water and the sensitivity to the sail balance.

All in my entrenched obstinate bigotry, obviously..

Or if your boat is well trimmed and balanced, you can take both hands off the wheel to trim sails, drink coffee, eat sandwiches or even take a walk round the deck.

 

[lw395]

Agree with all DC says.

We once were alongside the Channel Light Vessel in a genuine 7 as confirmed by R4 and our instruments. The boat was a Tempest ... brilliant boat, but tiller steering.

First the Autohelm gave up. After an hour my wife gave up. I ended up crouched in one position using just the left side of my body to haul the boat back on course as the waves tried to spin it to windward. Arrived in Guernsey unable to tie the boat up and sore for a week.

Contrast that to my current boat with wheel steering. You can sit on the coaming, the scalloped seat or just behind the wheel. You can stand when you feel a bit stiff. The floor is angled so that when the boat is heeled your feet are still horizontal.

Motoring is a pleasure. You sit looking the way you are going, not over your shoulder. You lean back on a cushioned lifeline, engage the Autopilot and 'relax'.

There is no lack of feel through the wheel and no excessive weight either.

Most modern racing boats have a wheel. Go figure

Most modern racing boats, up to a certain size opt or a tiller.
e.g. X332, tiller is the racing choice AFAIK.
As Tranona has said, it's not the main thing.

A wheel will cover up a poorly designed rudder better though.

 

[cindersailor]

OK, assuming I become convinced that wheel steering is worth considering, which systems are the ones to look for? Whitlock seems to be well regarded, any others, and what to avoid?

 

[Searush]

Yes, fair enough to the above views, *BUT*... you can have one hand on a tiller, and the other hand on winches, cleats and sheets, or anything else you need or fancy!
A wheel is a huge, dangerous, insurmountable barrier between me and operating the boat.
I don't need any inaccesible mechanisms to snap or jam either, but thanks for the offer.
Not to mention the feel of the water and the sensitivity to the sail balance.

All in my entrenched obstinate bigotry, obviously..

Quite, no rational argument will change that. I like the fact that I can walk away from the wheel to adjust, lower or raise a sail or put the kettle on, set up the anchor & chain etc etc & she will hold her course reasonably well. Tillers can flop about all over the place unless restrained by lashings & or bungee. That is why you feel the need to keep your hand on it, I can apply both hands to whatever task for a minute or two before she starts to wander off a bit.

If you don't want a wheel stay with small boats, no-one is forcing you to change are they?

 

[lw395]

Any of the mainstream systems will be OK if in good order.
Edson systems are fine, but check for wear in the pulleys.
And maybe the cables don't last forever?
I expect others have points to check too.

I wouldn't let it put me off a boat that was that I wanted.