wheel vs. tiller

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Keith

wheel vs. tiller

Post by Keith »

I am looking into the purchase of a CD25 on which a previous owner
mounted a wheel helm in place of the tiller. How much trouble will
it be to restore the boat back to its previous condition with a tiller? Where would I get a tiller,and any other necessary components? Could a good carpenter reproduce one without much trouble? Any comments on tiller vs.wheel on this boat would be appreciated.



kwoodlaw@arkansas.net
Lee H. Hodsdon

Re: wheel vs. tiller

Post by Lee H. Hodsdon »

Keith,

Get a copy of the latest issue of Good Old Boat magazine. There is an in depth discussion of this subject by the Pardeys. The merits of tiller vs. wheel are discussed, and there is a detailed description of how to construct a laminated tiller. You can get the cast bronze parts from Spartan Marine, in Robinhood, ME. I have no idea of the work required for the transition, but I am certain someone on this site will provide excellent input.

If you can't get a copy of the magazine (you will need a subscription), I'll make a copy and mail it to you.

Best of Luck,

Lee



lhodsdon@nh.ultranet.com
dennis Truett

Re: wheel vs. tiller

Post by dennis Truett »

Keith wrote: I am looking into the purchase of a CD25 on which a previous owner
mounted a wheel helm in place of the tiller. How much trouble will
it be to restore the boat back to its previous condition with a tiller? Where would I get a tiller,and any other necessary components? Could a good carpenter reproduce one without much trouble? Any comments on tiller vs.wheel on this boat would be appreciated.
Keith, I have no advice on this, but was considering converting to a wheel on a CD26. If you do make the conversion back, I would be interested in the wheel. Maybe we could trade. My tiller is in perfect condition.

Dennis



truettdc@frontiernet.net
Neil Gordon

Re: wheel vs. tiller

Post by Neil Gordon »

>>Any comments on tiller vs.wheel on this boat would be appreciated.<<

Why would anyone have replaced the tiller with a wheel in the first place??? Until a boat gets to the size where the tiller becomes more than can be handled, what's the point?


Regards, Neil
s/v LIQUIDITY
Cape Dory 28 #167



neil@nrgordon.com
Neil Gordon

Re: wheel vs. tiller

Post by Neil Gordon »

>>... was considering converting to a wheel on a CD26.<<

Why?


Regards, Neil
s/v LIQUIDITY
Cape Dory 28 #167



neil@nrgordon.com
Dennis Truett

Re: wheel vs. tiller

Post by Dennis Truett »

Takes up less space??????
Neil Gordon wrote: >>... was considering converting to a wheel on a CD26.<<

Why?


Regards, Neil
s/v LIQUIDITY
Cape Dory 28 #167


truettdc@frontiernet.net
Paul Scribner

Re: wheel vs. tiller

Post by Paul Scribner »

Dennis:
Consider if it really does take up less space before you convert. How much time to you spend socializing in the cockpit with the tiller in the up position thus opening the whole space. I also like to be able to scrunch up under the dodger with a tiller behind me to get out of the rain. No perfect solution but lots of opinions like everything else in our crazy sailing world.
Paul
Dennis Truett wrote: Takes up less space??????
Neil Gordon wrote: >>... was considering converting to a wheel on a CD26.<<

Why?


Regards, Neil
s/v LIQUIDITY
Cape Dory 28 #167


scribner@channel1.com
Neil Gordon

Re: wheel vs. tiller

Post by Neil Gordon »

>>Takes up less space??????<<

In lots of ways, the tiller takes up less space than a wheel. As Paul points out, the tiller can be moved out of the way when you're not sailing. That's awkward with a wheel.

Easier to singlehand, imo, with the tiller. I can hold it between my legs, let go a genoa sheet and trim in the other since I have both hands free, then both hands still free to winch in the genoa and tail.

We've had six in the cockpit without the tiller being a problem. I'll move two aft, so they are behind the swing of the tiller. Then two all the way fwd. My wife and I then switch when we tack so I can pick which side I want to steer from.


Regards, Neil
s/v LIQUIDITY
Cape Dory 28 #167



neil@nrgordon.com
Neil Gordon

Re: wheel vs. tiller

Post by Neil Gordon »

>>How much time to you spend socializing in the cockpit with the tiller in the up position ...<<

Exactly! Removing a wheel is a bit awkward.

>>I also like to be able to scrunch up under the dodger with a tiller behind me to get out of the rain.<<

That's good, too. <g> With spray, you only need to be close to the dodger to stay dry. Easy to do that with the tiller, harder with a wheel. Also, most boats I've seen with wheel steering don't give the helmsperson easy access to the genoa sheets and winches. I can singlehand the boat easily with a tiller, holding it between my legs and having both hands free and the winches within easy reach.

>>No perfect solution ...<<

It's all about compromise.

Like the discussions (neverending) about how CD's don't steer well in reverse. And that's a reason not to buy one???!!! How about the part where they get you where you are going? <g>


Regards, Neil
s/v LIQUIDITY
Cape Dory 28 #167



neil@nrgordon.com
Rich Del Colle

Re: wheel vs. tiller

Post by Rich Del Colle »

My CD25 has an Edson wheel installed by the original owner. Who knows why? After being told that the tiller was not available by the person I purchased it from, I found it deep in a cabin locker when I was cleaning out the boat. Before that, I found some used tillers at Marine Exchange, Peabody MA. At any rate the tiller attachment protrudes through the cockpit floor for use if you lose wheel steering.



richard_delcolle@hp.com
Dennis Truett

Re: wheel vs. tiller

Post by Dennis Truett »

Thanks everyone for the input. Being a new sailor you've convinced me!

Dennis CD26D

Neil Gordon wrote: >>How much time to you spend socializing in the cockpit with the tiller in the up position ...<<

Exactly! Removing a wheel is a bit awkward.

>>I also like to be able to scrunch up under the dodger with a tiller behind me to get out of the rain.<<

That's good, too. <g> With spray, you only need to be close to the dodger to stay dry. Easy to do that with the tiller, harder with a wheel. Also, most boats I've seen with wheel steering don't give the helmsperson easy access to the genoa sheets and winches. I can singlehand the boat easily with a tiller, holding it between my legs and having both hands free and the winches within easy reach.

>>No perfect solution ...<<

It's all about compromise.

Like the discussions (neverending) about how CD's don't steer well in reverse. And that's a reason not to buy one???!!! How about the part where they get you where you are going? <g>


Regards, Neil
s/v LIQUIDITY
Cape Dory 28 #167


truettdc@frontiernet.net
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