Tiller or wheel - what's your preference and why ??

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Re: Tiller or wheel - what\'s your preference and why ??

Having used both on a variety of boats from mirror dinghies up, I find both as easy to use, and both have pretty equal advantages and disadvantages.

My present boat has a wheel, being centre cockpit one has little option, but I would not turn a boat dow if it had a tiller. As said mid 30 feet area is the change over point from the manageability stakes, especially astern forces which can be pretty large.

I suspect if you choose the boat you like best the steering arrangement will be what you want what ever it is.
 
Re: Tiller or wheel - what\'s your preference and why ??

I have nearly always used a tiller, and although I've tried a wheel on a couple of charter boats I never liked it. For me a tiller feels more responsive, gives better 'feel',
- you know where its pointing (without looking)
- you can steer with it between your legs when opening the beer (or any other essential task).
- its perfectly possible to tack steering with one foot whilst sheeting in the jib.
- and I can get under cover of the pram hood whilst steering.

Admitedly it does sweep the cockpit and needs varnishing every winter - but its worth it.

Wasn't the original reason for a wheel where a mizzen or stern cabin made a tiller impossible? So far as size goes some of the early Thames barges had tiller steering...but its now creeping in on smaller and smaller boats - not sure why since it must be more expensive for builders.
 
Re: Tiller or wheel - what\'s your preference and why ??

I think it depends on the boat (weight, keel config) and the conditions. There have been times in the last two boats - wheel-steered - that I longed for a tiller. Long downwind passages give you shoulders like Popeye as you try to keep control lock to lock for hours on end . Whereas a tiller is more responsive under those conditions. Upwind, a wheel by far, more relaxing with the mechanical advantage.
Probably a case of getting out the emergency tiller for downwind!
 
Re: Tiller or wheel - what\'s your preference and why ??

Kermudgeom seems to be the only forumite with a bu**ered back and neck like me. I used to have a racing 30footer and after a hour at the helm going fast and hanging on tight the muscles in my neck and back were agony. Cost me a fortune in masseurs/osteopath’s fees.

Tillers are fine for old fashioned chugalugs and dinghies but when really trucking you need a young body, how the Vendee chaps cope is beyond me. Having said that Foncia has the smartest tiller I can remember!
 
Re: Tiller or wheel - what\'s your preference and why ??

I know wheels look better, /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
Re: Tiller or wheel - what\'s your preference and why ??

Tillers are all the rage on the TP52. (Flaming) . Gypsy Moth also had a tiller as did many large traditional boats. So its not just a "length of boat" thing.
I think that cockpit space is a key issue. As the boat gets larger so does the tiller length and it can sweep out an impressive arc of cockpit space.
As others have said there is a crossover length between 35 and 40odd feet where either system can be fine.
 
Re: Tiller or wheel - what\'s your preference and why ??

Not easy to fit a tiller for a centre-cockpit /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I like my wheel, and have an excellent comfortable helming position with it. I miss the feedback from a tiller though, and I found I needed a mechanical rudder position indicator when manoeveuring.

I don't like big wheels you need to struggle to get past, and I don't like tillers that don't fold up.
 
Re: Tiller or wheel - what\'s your preference and why ??

As I mentioned in the first response, wheels tend to go with spade rudders, but I have no direct experience of a large spade rudder and a tiller so can't compare. Steering in reverse is definitely easy. If you intend doing a lot of stern to berthing for example in the Med, then accurate and easy steering is essential. I also think it easier with a Saildrive because the prop is further away from the rudder and parallel to the water line so you get less interference from prop wash.

Another little mentioned feature of a wheel is the friction brake which allows you to lock the helm. On my Bav 37, the autopilot is almost redundant in lighter conditions, partly because you can balance it well under sail, and under motor it runs straight so can be left to itself with the friction brake on.
 
Re: Tiller or wheel - what\'s your preference and why ??

I have sailed boats with both tillers and wheels.

By far the worst ones for feel and control had wheels. Especially with hydraulic steering.

There is less to go wrong with tiller steering.

Those are some of the reasons I fitted tiller steering on my 33ft yacht.

Iain
 
Re: Tiller or wheel - what\'s your preference and why ??

Moody sabre,
You are correct
Typo on my part
I meant to write
"for pure sailing and when singlehanded I prefer tiller"
 
Re: Tiller or wheel - what\'s your preference and why ??

A tiller leaves your hands free to, trim the main/sheets/eat/drink/work the VHF and hang on.

You can maintain a course with your hands,/bum/feet or string.

My lugger has a 9 foot tiller. Its mostly ok except in quartering seas in a 7 or 8, when one has to use a tiller line to windward, and mind it doesn't flick you overboard.

Spirit of Mystery has just sailed to Cape Town with a tiller......
 
Re: Tiller or wheel - what\'s your preference and why ??

My £0.02 worth. Last boat had a tiller which was heavy enough to give you arm ache after a few hours on the helm, also very nearly knocked the helms(woman) overboard when motoring astern. Now I’ve got a boat with a wheel and it’s a hateful thing, (some people are never happy) it’s so small you can barely keep your hands on it stood up behind/in front of the thing, never mind if your sat on a coming. So far sat on the push pit steering with feet has proved best for manoeuvring, although with a positively sluggish 2.5 turns from lock to lock, you can end up scrabbling a bit. Poor retro fit by prev. owner I think Rant over. ;-) Regards OP, horses for courses (echo above basically depends who will be helming and your 'sailing : staying over on boat' ratio.
 
Re: Tiller or wheel - what\'s your preference and why ??

Whatever the boat was designed to have. I looked at several (smaller) yachts that had been converted from tiller to wheel and they were all poor compromises that didn't work.

If I was making the choice as a selection criteria for the type of boat, I would go for the wheel on the grounds that they don't try to rip your hands of when manoeuvring in reverse and also there is a nice post to mount the throttle control on so you can adjust it and look at what you are about to hit at the same time.
 
Re: Tiller or wheel - what\'s your preference and why ??

Getting my kids used to "pointing the wrong way" when using a tiller caused some intresting moments and a lot of laughs. The twisted seating position on a long run makes my back ache as mentioned but the space in the cockpit when it is raised up out of the way is a bonus on a 28 footer
Rgds
Bob
 
Re: Tiller or wheel - what\'s your preference and why ??

I think at 35 feet you are better off, on a Cruiser/racer , with a wheel.... simple reason is that most people purchasing a boat of this size will tend to prefer a wheel.... ergo the boat will be easier to resell..... if we are talking modern cruiser/ racer... If you are looking at a modern Racer/cruiser or racer, then a tiller will probably be fine.... But dont forget one day you will want to resell the boat, and a wheel on 35' is I think gonna be easier to shift....

Just my 2 cents! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
Re: Tiller or wheel - what\'s your preference and why ??

[ QUOTE ]
Kermudgeom seems to be the only forumite with a bu**ered back and neck like me. I used to have a racing 30footer and after a hour at the helm going fast and hanging on tight the muscles in my neck and back were agony. Cost me a fortune in masseurs/osteopath’s fees.

Tillers are fine for old fashioned chugalugs and dinghies but when really trucking you need a young body, how the Vendee chaps cope is beyond me. Having said that Foncia has the smartest tiller I can remember!

[/ QUOTE ]

Wheels allow far more mechanical advantage - so necessary for non-balanced rudders, such as long keelers.

With spade rudders it's easy to make them as light as a feather, by ensuring there is sufficient area in front of the axis of rotation.

So the type of steering will be determined by underwater profile rather than personal preference.
 
Re: Tiller or wheel - what\'s your preference and why ??

Sailed an Atalanta 26 with whipstaff. Fine, but it is a centre cockpit so a tiller would be a prob. It was a while back but feel was good ( cables and quadrant)
Had a wild night downwind helming 'Woodwind' to Gib. (36ft classic long keel) Wheel made it manageble, tiller might have been a lot of work. Near hull speed for the trip.
I prefere tillers, lift up ones. But horses for courses.
A
 
Re: Tiller or wheel - what\'s your preference and why ??

[ QUOTE ]

If I was making the choice as a selection criteria for the type of boat, I would go for the wheel on the grounds that they don't try to rip your hands of when manoeuvring in reverse and also there is a nice post to mount the throttle control on so you can adjust it and look at what you are about to hit at the same time.

[/ QUOTE ]On the flip side, you can't stick a wheel between your legs and eat at the same time as driving........ /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I'd go for a tiller every day on a 35' racer/cruiser.... and only go for a wheel at 35' on an out and out cruiser.... if its a balanced space, then loads will be fine... and it will give you much more direct feedback on whether you've trimmed her up properly or not.....
 
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