Convert tiller to Ship Wheel:Has anyone done it and do they have any advice on doing?

[Marakei]

The twenty three foot Buckler Ketch is a small boat with wheel steering. It is generally mentioned in threads here about 'worst boat ever'.

I once saw a photo of a Westerly Pageant that had been converted to wheel steering, but I don't have any other information about it.

 

[geoffatstanpit]

The Seal 28 has tiller steering from a centre cockpit. Lets say that there have been "issues" with the steering what with the rudder being a long way forward and also having a lifting blade. Several owners have converted to wheel steering connected to a transom-hung rudder with great success. Having said that there are still 70 odd of them successfully sailing around with the original arrangement.

 

[sailorman]

Gears?!

one to go forward the other to go backwards ( sometimes boat / keel allowing)

 

[lustyd]

one to go forward the other to go backwards ( sometimes boat / keel allowing)

Ah I'm with you now! I thought I was missing out for a minute!

 

[sailorman]

Ah I'm with you now! I thought I was missing out for a minute!

Not to mention the go faster lever as well

 

[prv]

The Seal 28 has tiller steering from a centre cockpit. Lets say that there have been "issues" with the steering what with the rudder being a long way forward and also having a lifting blade. Several owners have converted to wheel steering connected to a transom-hung rudder with great success.

Gypsy Moth has the rudder post some way aft of the cockpit, but still has a tiller.

The tiller is attached to a quadrant, from which a pair of cables drive a second quadrant (as for a wheel) on the rudder.

Pete

 

[scruff]

Wasn't Gypsy moth also famously carp to helm?

 

[prv]

Wasn't Gypsy moth also famously carp to helm?

Yep!

I don't think there was any suggestion that this was down to the tiller arrangement though. More the shape of the hull and the balance of the rig.

Pete

 

[TonyMS]

I've converted to wheels on my 30ft cat. See Refurbishing Razzmatazz on my website for details.

However, I'm not sure I'd do it on a small mono.

Good luck

TonyMS

 

[mjcoon]

Was slightly tongue in cheek - but in the sorts of boats I am talking about, steering the boat is an optional activity. Much more important to have space for sunbathing and socialising and let the autopilot do the steering.

Or even keeping a look-out?

Mike.

 

[James_Calvert]

Just a couple of examples of wheel steering I've come across:

a 22 ton Thames Measure Hillyard Schooner. Centre cockpit, wheel steered with chain cables running to a short tiller arm on the after deck. This had a proper wheelhouse. The wheels had external spokes (traditional like). Preferred method of steering appeared to be by sitting on top of the wheelhouse and steering with ones feet.

an Elizabethan 31 centre cockpit ketch. Again a traditional small spoked wheel, externally mounted on the saloon bulkhead. Can't remember what linkage to rudder. On passage, steered mostly by autopilot.

I don't get the problem with a tiller in a cockpit. OK, so the helm might have to change sides on a tack. But the sheet winches also need tending and other things doing, and it's not unreasonable for people in the cockpit to be involved in sailing the boat, and if this involves shifting seating positions or whatever so be it. There's also always room below, or maybe on deck, to keep out of the way.

I