Move from tiller to wheel - less pleasure helming?

lpdsn said:
Mine is only 3/4 turn each way to full lock. I can't imagine needing more, but I guess larger boats might.
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Fair enough. I've only used a mobo with a wheel, and that was six turns lock to lock. There were times that a rudder indicator would have been very useful!
 
One benefit that I feel is conferred by a good wheel- steeering installation is the ability to engage the autopilot quickly and easily, usually a single button push and a flick of a lever. This means that to engage the pilot for a short time, whilst attending to another task, is straightforward, whereas attaching a tiller pilot is more complicated. For me and my short-handed style of sailing, I have always found this advantageous - but I have never seen mention made by others. Not a big enough advantage perhaps to become a factor in choosing between tiller and wheel but a definite boon if you have the latter.
 
maby said:
I think it depends very much on the type of sailing you do. Our first two boats were both tiller steered and we were happy with them - but they were 18 foot and 27 foot, and a long passage was 20 miles. As we got more experienced, we got more ambitious and moved up in size - 33 foot and now 43 foot. We also are going further afield - passages of 60 miles or more - including multiple days at sea. Both the larger boats have been wheel steering and I could not imagine helming anything so large with a tiller, or helming for so long or so far on a tiller. There are a few times when we miss "something small and wet", but we could not possibly justify having two boats and the primary requirement is for a reasonably large cruiser with good accommodation. YMMV.
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Back up the thread a little, however. I have sailed various tiller steered craft from dinghies to 30 ton gaffers, and rarely had to think about steering. My head/body just knows what to do. On wheel steered boats (30ft to 45ft) in open water I have no great issues with steering. Close quarters and going astern I find much more tricky with a wheel, the reference with dead ahead/astern is almost lost. Not entirely, but obscured by the wheel mechanism. In open water I can judge the sail load by the feel of a tiller easily, and adjust. With a wheel that is often lost.
If you started with a wheel, it is likely you will have no idea what is missing.
 
I found the transition from tiller to wheel a little awkward, made a few mistakes at first, used to it now. From the point of view of enjoyment, no difference absolutely equal. As a point of interest I don't find changing to helming a tiller steered boat a problem.
 
Tranona said:
Difficult to generalise. An old style fishing bawley with tiller steering is anything but a pleasure to steer, probably needing tiller lines to control it in anything of a blow. Likewise I expect that Fisher will be pretty boring to steer from inside. On the other hand a modern fin keel boat with a big balanced spade rudder and a direct wheel steering system can be a delight (like my Bavaria).

You soon get used to steering with a wheel and appreciate its advantages. However there are of course boats around the 30-35' mark where either a tiller or a wheel will work and for some the tiller may well be more appropriate.
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lpdsn said:
It really depends upon the size of the boat. There's certainly fun to be had steering a larger boat by wheel, even with the weight of twin wheels. A larger racer, of the type with the huge wheel in the cockpit, will give you the precision and feel of a tiller at a size you couldn't manage with a tiller.
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:encouragement:
 
pagoda said:
... Close quarters and going astern I find much more tricky with a wheel, the reference with dead ahead/astern is almost lost. ....
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The "dead-ahead" reference is two or three inches of whipping at the top of the wheel when centred,

As far as handling in reverse is concerned, I insisted on having a binnacle I could walk round and still reach the wheel and throttle. I can park it on a sixpence - which I could never do with a tiller - without the binnacle, there is nowhere up high for the throttle. As I get older, last thing I want to be doing while manoeuvring at close quarters is to be bending down trying to get at the throttle!
 
Moved from a tiller boat to wheeled one this summer, after using both at different times, can't see me ever going back to tiller.
 
I much prefer not to hand steer at all.

The best sailing I've enjoyed so far has been with the Hydrovane nodding away contentedly while I trim now and again between drinking mugs of tea.

The last few years I've had to slum it with an inboard auto pilot which isn't anywhere near as enjoyable.
 
mjcoon said:
But that still means 1/2 turn of ambiguity: 3/4 left = 1/4 right to v.v....

Mike.
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Not really. Even manouvering in tight corners, which is the only time I'm really likely to use a lot of helm, I'm hardly going to think I've turned the wheel to port when I've turned it to starboard. It's never been a cause of confusion to me.
 
I've mostly sailed with a tiller but never had a problem with adapting to a wheel. In 1973 we bought a Mystere 26 with a wheel. For the most part, this was delightful, because the boat had been designed around it, but it was prone to slack in the system, which I never fully eliminated. On another occasion I assisted a friend in sailing his 45' boat with hydraulic steering and a small wheel. After ten minutes one got used to using other senses than the helm, but I can't say it was very rewarding.

Tiller. Real sailing and the most sensitive. Best for sailing to windward but sometimes awkward on a broad reach and prone to giving me neckache.

Wheel. You are encouraged to sit to leeward when going to windward. The helm position is often too far aft and exposed, and you can't drink tea and eat cake at the same time when helming. That's about it really.
 
Halo said:
I have had both types. The feeling when a tiller steered yacht comes alive under sail is marvellous and I have not felt this on any wheel steered boat. Having said that I would not like to swap my wheel and padastal mounted nav display for the sort of cruising I do. If you tend go go out on shortish trips in familiar waters I would try for a tiller.
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May I suggest that you need to try a few more wheel steered boats? Lots have very good feel and are a delight to sail. See the numerous comments above.
 
johnalison said:
Wheel. You are encouraged to sit to leeward when going to windward. The helm position is often too far aft and exposed, and you can't drink tea and eat cake at the same time when helming. That's about it really.
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You can sit or stand either side or behind the wheel you can steer with a knee or a foot if it's tea and cake time. Just need a decent sail trim.

Mind you, it's easy to steer with a tiller for all of the above!
 
I had only sailed my 30ft tiller steered boat for a few months before doing the day skipper practical on a wheel steered boat but found it strange and void of much feedback plus i felt exposed to the elements been so far aft of the sprayhood. On Hummingbird i can helm while tucked under the hood standing or sitting, i can feel the slightest effect of the wind on the sails and as, Dylan says, can helm with my eyes closed and feel what is happening, and even prepare to avert a roundup. Hummingbird takes massive weatherhelm where 2 hands are needed and while i cock my ears back and haul like a donkey to keep her on course. :)
 
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