CD 36 -- CONVERT WHEEL TO TILLER

[John Stone]

Anybocy out there ever convert a CD 36 from wheel to tiller steering? I have been sailing for over 30 years and am kind of set in my ways. I have sailed boats to almost 40 feet in length with a tiller and like the way they feel. Besides, I just like to keep things simple. I am not trying to convert anyone else . . . just offering a limited explanation in what I hope, (a futile attempt, I am sure!!) will spare me the diatribes from all the wheel nazis out there. Any information wheel (pun intended) be appreciated.

Thanks,
John Stone



stonej0302@aol.com

[Bruce Bett]

I can't offer any advice on how to switch from wheel to tiller, but bless you for bucking a particularly silly and obnoxious trend! Do you believe there are people out there who have converted the CD25 to a wheel? A 25! That lovely well balanced little boat!

I helped sail an old Alberg 35 500 miles or so from Muskegon MI to Marquette MI last summer. That boat had a tiller and handled beautifully. Go for it.

Bruce Bett
Sostenuto
CD25 #496

Anybocy out there ever convert a CD 36 from wheel to tiller steering? I have been sailing for over 30 years and am kind of set in my ways. I have sailed boats to almost 40 feet in length with a tiller and like the way they feel. Besides, I just like to keep things simple. I am not trying to convert anyone else . . . just offering a limited explanation in what I hope, (a futile attempt, I am sure!!) will spare me the diatribes from all the wheel nazis out there. Any information wheel (pun intended) be appreciated.

Thanks,
John Stone

bettb@macomb.cc.mi.us

[Bill]

Anybocy out there ever convert a CD 36 from wheel to tiller steering? I have been sailing for over 30 years and am kind of set in my ways. I have sailed boats to almost 40 feet in length with a tiller and like the way they feel. Besides, I just like to keep things simple. I am not trying to convert anyone else . . . just offering a limited explanation in what I hope, (a futile attempt, I am sure!!) will spare me the diatribes from all the wheel nazis out there. Any information wheel (pun intended) be appreciated.

Thanks,
John Stone

;I agree with you Joe,I also like the feel of a tiller plus you can swivel it out of the way when anchored.We met a couple on our last trip to the Bahamas who had sailed from the Maryland area to Bermuda and back and as I said where on the way to the Abaco's aboard their Alburg 35 which had a tiller,and almost forgot to mention they where in their 70's!! As far as conversion I think any good marine sailing repair facility should be able to handle the job.
Good Luck
Bill & Jayne CD28 Infinity



tocoiriverrats@aol.com

[Marino]

I can't offer any advice on how to switch from wheel to tiller, but bless you for bucking a particularly silly and obnoxious trend! Do you believe there are people out there who have converted the CD25 to a wheel? A 25! That lovely well balanced little boat!

I helped sail an old Alberg 35 500 miles or so from Muskegon MI to Marquette MI last summer. That boat had a tiller and handled beautifully. Go for it.

Bruce Bett
Sostenuto
CD25 #496

The binder that came with my Typhoon contained a diagram of how to convert it to wheel steering. I just stared at it thinking, huh?

Marino Curati
Ty #74 Snug
Cleveland

[Bob Pence]

Anybocy out there ever convert a CD 36 from wheel to tiller steering? I have been sailing for over 30 years and am kind of set in my ways. I have sailed boats to almost 40 feet in length with a tiller and like the way they feel. Besides, I just like to keep things simple. I am not trying to convert anyone else . . . just offering a limited explanation in what I hope, (a futile attempt, I am sure!!) will spare me the diatribes from all the wheel nazis out there. Any information wheel (pun intended) be appreciated.

Thanks,

Why fix it when it ain't broke? Wait til you see what it would cost? I have never been impressed with tiller auto pilots and if you are going to cruise long distances the AP becomes your best and most reliable friend,it can steer a straighter course than you can without looking.

John Stone

sixpence@dmv.com

[Ken Coit]

John,

At least the head of the rudder stock is easy to reach. I think I would experiment with the emergency tiller to get some idea of the forces involved; I might even cobble up a long extension for the rudder stock so I could experiment with a horizontal tiller without removing the pedestal.

I don't know how balanced the CD36 rudder is, but it could be a real bear to control with a tiller if it isn't somewhat balanced. If it seemed plausable to steer with the emergency tiller, I might be tempted to remove the wheel steering cables and experiment some more.

Lastly, I would remove the pedestal and experiment with tiller angles and lengths to see how much of the cockpit needs to be swept in order to have decent control.

If you were to be wildly successful, I might consider it if I could retain my below deck autopilot. Being able to clear the cockpit from wheel and pedestal would be some benefit although now that we can remove Parfait's wheel easily, it isn't so much of a consideration. Our wheel now spends most of its time below decks. We need to sail more.

Keep us informed of what you do and how it goes.

Ken Coit
S/V Parfait
CD-36 #84
Raleigh, NC

Anybocy out there ever convert a CD 36 from wheel to tiller steering? I have been sailing for over 30 years and am kind of set in my ways. I have sailed boats to almost 40 feet in length with a tiller and like the way they feel. Besides, I just like to keep things simple. I am not trying to convert anyone else . . . just offering a limited explanation in what I hope, (a futile attempt, I am sure!!) will spare me the diatribes from all the wheel nazis out there. Any information wheel (pun intended) be appreciated.

Thanks,
John Stone

parfait@nc.rr.com

[Jerry Axler]

John,

At least the head of the rudder stock is easy to reach. I think I would experiment with the emergency tiller to get some idea of the forces involved; I might even cobble up a long extension for the rudder stock so I could experiment with a horizontal tiller without removing the pedestal.

I don't know how balanced the CD36 rudder is, but it could be a real bear to control with a tiller if it isn't somewhat balanced. If it seemed plausable to steer with the emergency tiller, I might be tempted to remove the wheel steering cables and experiment some more.

Lastly, I would remove the pedestal and experiment with tiller angles and lengths to see how much of the cockpit needs to be swept in order to have decent control.

If you were to be wildly successful, I might consider it if I could retain my below deck autopilot. Being able to clear the cockpit from wheel and pedestal would be some benefit although now that we can remove Parfait's wheel easily, it isn't so much of a consideration. Our wheel now spends most of its time below decks. We need to sail more.

Keep us informed of what you do and how it goes.

Ken Coit
S/V Parfait
CD-36 #84
Raleigh, NC

Anybocy out there ever convert a CD 36 from wheel to tiller steering? I have been sailing for over 30 years and am kind of set in my ways. I have sailed boats to almost 40 feet in length with a tiller and like the way they feel. Besides, I just like to keep things simple. I am not trying to convert anyone else . . . just offering a limited explanation in what I hope, (a futile attempt, I am sure!!) will spare me the diatribes from all the wheel nazis out there. Any information wheel (pun intended) be appreciated.

Thanks,
John Stone

I had to use the emergency tiller this summer, when the axle on the turning block on the quadrant busted. It is a bear to steer on emergency tiller and I would reccommend it only if you need to build upper body strength. Iknow a tiller would be better angled and the lever arm would improve the action, but Idoubt that even with a real tiller the rudder is balanced enough to work easily. Don't spend big bucks until you have tried at least a jury rigged version attached to the rudder stock in moderate wind conditions.



cutter36@erols.com

[Ron Musk]

Anybocy out there ever convert a CD 36 from wheel to tiller steering? I have been sailing for over 30 years and am kind of set in my ways. I have sailed boats to almost 40 feet in length with a tiller and like the way they feel. Besides, I just like to keep things simple. I am not trying to convert anyone else . . . just offering a limited explanation in what I hope, (a futile attempt, I am sure!!) will spare me the diatribes from all the wheel nazis out there. Any information wheel (pun intended) be appreciated.

Thanks,
John Stone

John,
Does a CD36 have a roller bearing on the rudder stock? If not you might want to look into installing one if you go ahead and convert to a tiller.I know the keel fitting takes the weight of the rudder,a roller bearing would significantly reduce drag,at least it's supposed to.Edson among others has them.
Ron Musk
s/v"R&R"
CD30



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