Edson wheel ?

[Tim]

I am considering buying a Cape Dory 30 ketch. The specs state that it has an "Edson Wheel". What exactly is this? What are the pros and cons? One guy told me he preferred a tiller to the wheel. Sounds very odd to me.

Tim



treilley@syseng.com

[Dick Wiesen (wiesensl@aol]

I am considering buying a Cape Dory 30 ketch. The specs state that it has an "Edson Wheel". What exactly is this? What are the pros and cons? One guy told me he preferred a tiller to the wheel. Sounds very odd to me.

Tim

A great many of the CD's have pedistal steering and most were made by a company that remains in business, Edison International,located in New Bedford, Ma. Look for their website as well. Very good company on customer relations.

I have had Cd's with both tillers and wheel steering. There is a difference but one that you can get used to either way. The tiller "tells you more" in that you have direct contact with the rudder while the wheel's contact goes through cables and other fixtures. The wheelon the Edson is less sensitive to the helmsman's hand it seems to me.

From my experience with CD's, you first choose the boat you like and then deal with the steering--don't choose the boat based on a tiller or a wheel. Dick



wiesensl@aolc.com

[Bill Goldsmith]

Tim:

I understand that earlier CD 30 ketches had a non-pedestal Edson wheel that either used a rack and pinion (which would give some rudder feedback) or worm-gear (which would give no feedback). This design had the wheel attached to a gearbox at the aft end of the cockpit. I believe a number of the 30K's were made this way. Other readers could probably give you more details. I do recall older posts on this board that could provide you with some answers.

Bill Goldsmith
Second Chance
Cd27

I am considering buying a Cape Dory 30 ketch. The specs state that it has an "Edson Wheel". What exactly is this? What are the pros and cons? One guy told me he preferred a tiller to the wheel. Sounds very odd to me.

Tim

goldy@bestweb.net

[Gary McDonough]

Tim,

Sailing purists will tell you that a tiller is better for a number of reasons. I owned a 25D with a tiller and now own a 30' Cutter with a wheel. Considering all aspects and factors, I prefer the wheel. It offers more positions, including standing, from which to steer and is less tiring on longer sails. Also, the boat tends to track better and hold its course with a wheel if you leave it unattended to tack or perform some other chore which is especially convenient when solo sailing. Also, pedestal steering allows you to mount racks for handheld radios, GPS, drink holders, binoculars, etc. which otherwise could clutter the cockpit with a tiller arrangement.

Good luck

Gary



garym@taxinvest.com

[Michael Stephano]

I have a CD 30 Ketch (1977 hull #22) and it has a worm gear. When you survey the boat if you get that far make sure the strut supporting the bearing is sound (rust,etc). When I purchased my boat the strut and all the chain plates were suffering from rust that in some cases had completly disintegrated. The steering strut was one of these areas and easily repaired. The chain plates were also easy to repair once you gain access. I was able to negotiate the price on the boat by almost half. I am very happy with my ketch and she was quite a value. Good Luck!



mundo@visi.net

[Murray Glue]

The Edson worm gear wheel on our CD30 cutter is an excellent feature
even though it is mounted on a tilt and right aft in the cockpit ( to save
space ) which makes it a little hard to get to grips with on a downwind
run with the spinnaker aloft. Compared to a tiller I find that it is much
easier and less tiring, and is a real bonus when the time comes to
engage the autopilot.....I am off sailing now, with two small children, on
a night passage of 25 miles. I would not consider doing so with a tiller.
Love it.

Murray Glue
CD 30
" Dayspring "
Nelson, New Zealand




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