Etap EVs system

[jakeroyd]

Been considering an ETAP 32.
We met a couple sailing one this summer and they mentioned it's steering system or EVS which is a sort of wheel shaped tiller , except that you push to Starbord to go to Starbord etc.

How do forumites get on with this ?

I could see me getting used to it and then in a sticky situation in a marina moving it the wrong way instinctively as i'm used to a conventional tiller.

 

[pvb]

Would you have a problem with wheel steering? If you consider the top of the EVS as the top of a wheel, it works the same.

 

[ditchcrawler]

I have sailed a friend's Etap34 with the EVS steering. It is no problem when you are behind the psuedo wheel as said above it is just like a wheel. On the side deck it is also quite easy as you imagine turning it to the left to go left and right to go right.

The bit that scrambled my brain was when I sat out on the side deck using the tiller extension.One would normally push the extension away on a tiller boat to luff up.When you do that the boat bears away i.e. goes right.

However I soon got used to it and I like the system and I think that anyone would get used to it in a few hours.

Behind or at the side of the "wheel" it is no problem. I woudn't hesitate in having the system.

 

[JohnGC]

We have a 32s with EVS.

Spoke to a few people about the EVS this year, it wan't us was it? N Ireland, W Coast Scotland.

We both loved it from the start. But if you're unsure;

The EVS is "bolted on" to a standard tiller shaft. The tiller shaft extends upwards to the transom. The head of the shaft accepts the emergency tiller. So if you don't like the EVS, you could unbolt it (I haven't actually done that) and fit a tiller handle.

The EVS has a similar "feel" to a tiller. You do need to keep a good grip when manoeuvring in reverse just as you do with a tiller.

I'd say that if you're happy steering with a wheel, you'll have no problem with an EVS.

 

[jakeroyd]

Thanks for the feedback.
JohnGC , no it was not you , we came across one in Falmouth Yacht Haven