Interesting question : Tiller / Wheel combo on HR31 Monsun

[Refueler]

Looking at a possible purchase of a Halberg Rassy 31 Monsun .... which has the not so common Wheel steering ... most are tiller ..

I am aware that the rudder post is still same on these.

Seller has confirmed that Tiller is on board as back-up ... mmmmm

My thoughts are that because I have two Tillerpilots ... one is spec'd for the 30ft class .... I'm hoping that I can mount it to the tiller but still have possibility to use wheel when TP not needed. Will obviously need some thought as a tiller cannot just be left in place when using wheel ...

Interested if anyone on these forums has a Monsun and can comment ?

 

[rogerthebodger]

I don't have the same boat but my boat has wheel steering with an emergency steering Both the tiller can be easy be removd for wheel steering

If you intend to keep the wheel the tiller may need to be high enough to pass over the wheel when tiller steering

If thr tiller is just for the autopilot the tiller only needs to be short for operation of the autopilot

But you already know this

 

[johnalison]

The tiller on the only wheeled boat I owned was just a metal rod that screwed into the stock. It served it purpose as an emergency tiller but would have been hard to fix a pilot to, so it may depend on what sort of tiller is there whether it would fit your pilots or not.

 

[BabaYaga]

Also consider the possibility of connecting the AP to a tiller pointing aft.

Edit: …or even 90 degrees to one side…

 

[Refueler]

I am surprised at lack of response - but extremely grateful to those who replied.

I have pondered the idea of short tiller arm - but the Tillerpilot I have AH1000 is not free to extend / retract when wheel is used - so it will have to be disconnected from tiller pin.

Because I actually enjoy 'feeling' the boat when sailing ... the use of it will be limited to those times I need to hoist / drop sails ... have a bit of a rest (still keeping an eye on things of course) ...

I've looked at Wheel Pilots ... but at this stage not inclined to spend out ... especially if I can sort the TP to work ... lets be honest - TP's are put on / off tiller pins so really not much difference at all. I am hoping that raising the tiller to vertical and a light strap to hold it vertical - will allow it to turn with the rudder stock and not be a PITA in the cockpit ...

It still remains the question of whether wheel system may hinder the TP action ....

My pal with his B31 is watching my progress with this ... as he read somewhere of a guy who converted a Tiller Pilot to steer a Wheel system boat ... that had no tiller stock.

 

[rogerthebodger]

If you make the tiller removable from the rudder head you could disconnect thee tiller from the rudder stock thus disconnection the tiller pilot when using the wheel.

My emergency tiller is constructed like that for storage.

Normally the tiller has a pivit pin where it connects t the rudder head. I made mine fro a drop nose pin then once removed the tiller can be disconnected fron the rudder stock

 

[lustyd]

I think I'd be inclined to remove the wheel entirely on that boat and convert it properly to tiller. The wheel would feel very cramped in that cockpit and probably makes it a less enjoyable boat to sail (to be fair, I'm generally not a fan of wheels). You'd need to fill a hole in the deck and source a proper tiller but shouldn't be too hard?

 

[Refueler]

Looks like the boat is not going to be mine ! Today was shown another boat ... 34ft ... 2000 euros less ... fully equipped - one owner since new etc.

Just trying to contact seller .... but sales site requires Swedish ID