I would like to hear from any CD 30 owners who may have changed their boat from the Edson steering to a tiller. Is this even possible? I do not own a 30 but would like to, but I am also very fond of tillers and all the CD 30's I have seen have the Edson. Also was there any difference in the cockpit layout between the two models as the came out of the factory or was a head fitted to the rudder shaft where the Edson ataches for the rudder.
Thanks, Jack
jschuh@wt.net
CD 30's with tillers?
Moderator: Jim Walsh
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Carl Jones
Re: CD 30's with tillers?
My friend has a '77 or '78 CD 30 that had the worm gear steering, with the box mounted on the aft end of the cockpit. I don't know if that is an Edson steering as you refer to, but he removed it and installed a tiller. He likes it very well.
My '83 CD 30 has the Edson binnacle mount steering. It attaches to the rudder shaft via a quadrant and is linked to the wheel by cables. It is a very simple, robust system. I had a tiller boat before and it took a little while to get used to the wheel, but it works fine and was not worth changing out for me.
The worm gear steering was very stiff and that was one of the reasons my friend changed it. He couldn't put an autopilot on it.
I wouldn't let that stop you from buying one and suggest you sail it for a while before you go to that much trouble. You may find out the same thing I did.
GreatCells@aol.com
My '83 CD 30 has the Edson binnacle mount steering. It attaches to the rudder shaft via a quadrant and is linked to the wheel by cables. It is a very simple, robust system. I had a tiller boat before and it took a little while to get used to the wheel, but it works fine and was not worth changing out for me.
The worm gear steering was very stiff and that was one of the reasons my friend changed it. He couldn't put an autopilot on it.
I wouldn't let that stop you from buying one and suggest you sail it for a while before you go to that much trouble. You may find out the same thing I did.
Jack Schuhmacher wrote: I would like to hear from any CD 30 owners who may have changed their boat from the Edson steering to a tiller. Is this even possible? I do not own a 30 but would like to, but I am also very fond of tillers and all the CD 30's I have seen have the Edson. Also was there any difference in the cockpit layout between the two models as the came out of the factory or was a head fitted to the rudder shaft where the Edson ataches for the rudder.
Thanks, Jack
GreatCells@aol.com