C27 wheel to tiller conversion

[bonez]

I am looking at buying my friends 1987 Catalina 27. The boat is in great shape but it has a wheel which came from the factory, and I would much rather have a tiller. There is an emergency tiller which can be put in in case the wheel breaks so I was wondering if anyone has ever gone through the process of removing a wheel so there is just a tiller? What are the potential costs involved in the conversion?

[jerryRiggin]

I haven't converted but am wondering why you want to change to a tiller? Same principle as the wheel but the wheel gives you more flexibility, gives you the option of autopilot or can be lashed...

[bonez]

I have always liked the feel of a tiller particularly for a smaller sized boat. Plus you can put the tiller out of the way when just hanging in the cockpit where as the wheel takes up some usable room.

I am going to leave the wheel for now and see if I like it. Who knows maybe I will learn to like a wheel on a smaller boat. Thanks for the replies.

[mitiempo]

Shouldn't be very expensive going from wheel to tiller - the reverse is the expensive way.

The only boat I have owned with a wheel was 35' and was changed to a tiller after I sold it - and the boat was better for it.

A tiller can be hinged up out of the way when in harbor so it isn't in anybody's way.

Tillers are a bit more reliable too. Maintenance is minimal.

[Dean101]

I guess my question would apply to this thread so I'll go ahead and ask. I am also someone who prefers a tiller to a wheel. I learned with a tiller. My Endeavour had wheel steering and I never learned to like it. This statement will make me look like a moron but I admit that every time I wanted to tack to port, I turned the wheel to starboard! There, I said it!

I will now pause until the laughter dies down...

At least I only made that mistake once with a tiller, my first time on the helm actually. I was told that it takes some people quite a while to master the concept. I can't attest to the accuracy of that statement though. In fact, I do prefer the tiller because I felt more in touch with the boat. It was simplicity at its finest and I enjoyed the feel of the water rushing over the rudder. Space, dependability, and low maintenance are icing on the cake!

My question is; can any boat be converted to a tiller for a reasonable cost? Keep in mind that I am looking for a boat 30' to 37 ' and most that I have seen have wheel steering.

[mitiempo]

Depends where the rudder post is. It may or not work out depending on the design.

[Chris12345]

Should not be much of a problem, as the Catalina 27 is designed for tiller steering, i.e. the rudder post (and now attachment point for the emergency tiller) will be placed in a convenient spot in the cockpit.
You will just need to attach a permanent tiller instead of the temporary one, and get rid of the wheel, and close a few holes that removal of the wheel assembly will leave.
Probably it is even enough to put a nice wooden tiller into the hardware that now attaches your (likely too short) emergency tiller.

(It is a different story for the owner of the 30+ foot boat who wants to go from wheel to tiller: Boats that where not designed for tiller steering can have the rudder post in the oddest places. If the emergency tiller is in a spot where he would not want the real tiller, there is no reasonable solution.)

Originally Posted by bonez

I am looking at buying my friends 1987 Catalina 27. The boat is in great shape but it has a wheel which came from the factory, and I would much rather have a tiller. There is an emergency tiller which can be put in in case the wheel breaks so I was wondering if anyone has ever gone through the process of removing a wheel so there is just a tiller? What are the potential costs involved in the conversion?

[Chris12345]

Take a good look at the rudder design before you convert to a tiller: I could handle the rudder forces with a tiller on a 27 foot boat when oversheeted and pointing high, but would not have wanted much more resistance.
On a much larger boat the rudder needs to be balanced very well, or wrestling it with a tiller will not be much fun.
A wheel can be designed to exert much more force without you having to work as hard. With a tiller, all you can do is install a longer tiller, and there are limits to that.

How much the conversion will cost depends all on the position and attachment of the emergency tiller, because that's what you will have to convert. Plus removal of the wheel, and patching of all holes it leaves behind.

Originally Posted by Dean101

I guess my question would apply to this thread so I'll go ahead and ask. I am also someone who prefers a tiller to a wheel. I learned with a tiller. My Endeavour had wheel steering and I never learned to like it. This statement will make me look like a moron but I admit that every time I wanted to tack to port, I turned the wheel to starboard! There, I said it!

I will now pause until the laughter dies down...

At least I only made that mistake once with a tiller, my first time on the helm actually. I was told that it takes some people quite a while to master the concept. I can't attest to the accuracy of that statement though. In fact, I do prefer the tiller because I felt more in touch with the boat. It was simplicity at its finest and I enjoyed the feel of the water rushing over the rudder. Space, dependability, and low maintenance are icing on the cake!

My question is; can any boat be converted to a tiller for a reasonable cost? Keep in mind that I am looking for a boat 30' to 37 ' and most that I have seen have wheel steering.

[deniseO30]

IdaSailor if you must...

If you get the boat, try it with the wheel for at least a season, there's a good chance you will like it.

[Chris12345]

Now that is surely not needed, Catalina 27s are tiller boats, the original rudder should be just fine. Plus, that thing is about 1/3 the price of an entire C27.

Originally Posted by deniseO30

IdaSailor if you must...

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