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My wheel steered CD31 came with an emergency tiller. Do the tiller steered boats come with an emergency wheel
Seriously, tiller vs wheel is strictly personal preference. If you have hydraulic steering the feedback is negligible if it exists at all. With a chain and wire system you get plenty of feedback. I had tillers on my boats up to 26' and my 29' and present boat are wheel steered and I have no complaints. "To each his own". One of the benefits of ownership is that one can choose the options which satisfies their requirements.
Perhaps it is my lack of experience, practice, training, etc., but when I hold the tiller on my little sailboat I seem to feel the sailboat "turning" immediately. There is no "lag time". When I am on friends' sailboats that have a wheel and they are foolish enough to let me steer, the sense I get from the wheel seems to be delayed by several seconds. I turn the wheel to port or starboard but the actual movement of the boat seems delayed.
Fair winds,
Roberto
a/k/a Sea Hunt "The Tadpole Sailor"
CDSOA #1097
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"I wish to have no Connection with any Ship that does not Sail fast for I intend to go in harm's way." Captain John Paul Jones, 16 November 1778, as quoted in Naval History and Heritage Command, http://www.history.navy.mil
Sea Hunt Video wrote:Perhaps it is my lack of experience, practice, training, etc., but when I hold the tiller on my little sailboat I seem to feel the sailboat "turning" immediately. There is no "lag time". When I am on friends' sailboats that have a wheel and they are foolish enough to let me steer, the sense I get from the wheel seems to be delayed by several seconds. I turn the wheel to port or starboard but the actual movement of the boat seems delayed.
I too, have experienced that "delayed" effect. I always thought it was the Guinness I will cast my vote for Mr. Tiller.
Sea Hunt Video wrote:Perhaps it is my lack of experience, practice, training, etc., but when I hold the tiller on my little sailboat I seem to feel the sailboat "turning" immediately. There is no "lag time". When I am on friends' sailboats that have a wheel and they are foolish enough to let me steer, the sense I get from the wheel seems to be delayed by several seconds. I turn the wheel to port or starboard but the actual movement of the boat seems delayed.
I suspect that your friends are aware that you are unfamiliar with wheel steering and they have adjusted the wheels sensitivity selector to "training wheel".
Thanks I could not stop laughing. After the Dolphins miserable loss today I needed a good laugh.
Fair winds,
Roberto
a/k/a Sea Hunt "The Tadpole Sailor"
CDSOA #1097
________________________________
"I wish to have no Connection with any Ship that does not Sail fast for I intend to go in harm's way." Captain John Paul Jones, 16 November 1778, as quoted in Naval History and Heritage Command, http://www.history.navy.mil
Sea Hunt Video wrote:Perhaps it is my lack of experience, practice, training, etc., but when I hold the tiller on my little sailboat I seem to feel the sailboat "turning" immediately. There is no "lag time". When I am on friends' sailboats that have a wheel and they are foolish enough to let me steer, the sense I get from the wheel seems to be delayed by several seconds. I turn the wheel to port or starboard but the actual movement of the boat seems delayed.
A wheel is geared, of course, but movement of the wheel translates to immediate movement of the rudder, so I'm not sure what lag you experienced. Sloppy hardware could translate to lag, I suppose, sort of like an old, worn out steering box on a car. That would have to be a very poorly maintained steering system, though.
David van den Burgh wrote:A wheel is geared, of course, but movement of the wheel translates to immediate movement of the rudder, so I'm not sure what lag you experienced.
With either tiller or wheel, movement translates into immediate movement of the rudder. That doesn't translate into immediate turning of the vessel however, or at least not the apparent movement. What's felt immediately with a tiller is the pressure change on the rudder.
Come to think of it, when we first fitted out Femme after purchase, I found the steel emergency tiller did not fit the rudder post. The PO had assured me that it fits just fine. I never understood this as they both had male fittings! I immediately measured everything and gave it to my nephew who ground out the proper slots and gave it a good clean and painting. We fitted it and practiced steering with it a few times then I stowed it and have not used it since though I check it occasionally to make sure it is not rusting.
Last year, after noticing what I believe was a jump of the chain in the cog of the wheel sprocket, (My buddy had told me he backed into the mud so the clues fit) I replaced the chain and wire system and cleaned and lubed it all up. Sprocket looked fine after cleaning. Steers great, tightly and with no delay. Not too difficult a job, just use messenger lines for the cable through the bloody pedestal.
Learnings: Inspect visually and with your hands the steering cables each season and for those with emergency tillers, be sure to fit them and try them out.
Good reasons to like tiller steered boats! Though we have no desire to move away from our old 33, I admit, I long to sail our old Typhoon sometimes!
Last edited by Paul D. on Nov 9th, '15, 19:01, edited 1 time in total.
I could not stop laughing. After the Dolphins miserable loss today I needed a good laugh.
