Steering pedestal controls?

[shartel]

I just bought a 1978 Pearson 30. I've owned several boats, but this is actually the first I've owned with wheel steering. There are 3 controls for the Atomic 4 engine on the steering pedestal and I'm not sure what one of them is... The throttle lever is on the starboard side of the pedestal, the shifter is on the port side, and there is a turning knob under the throttle lever. Does anyone know what this knob is for? I've attached a photo... Thanks for any input!!!

[killarney_sailor]

That is a wheel brake so the steering wheel is not affected by boat wakes while you are tied up or anchored. Make sure it is not on when you try to pull away from the dock or your life will become much more stressful in a hurry.

[olson34]

That applies a brake to the wheel shaft. Nice to sometimes "lock" it from turning if are docked or anchored with any surge or current from astern that would slowly (or quickly...) put your rudder hard over against the stops or worse yet, the hull.

Same sort of function that you'd get from tying off the tiller in the straight-ahead position.

[shartel]

Sweet! Thanks a bunch guys! Can't wait to use that feature... sounds like it sure beats tying off a tiller

[olson34]

Originally Posted by shartel

Sweet! Thanks a bunch guys! Can't wait to use that feature... sounds like it sure beats tying off a tiller

Um, not really... there's a small little "brake shoe" inside that wears down and needs replacement when it gets old or used a lot.
Like putting a small steering wheel in a cockpit designed only for a tiller, every "convenience" comes at a price...

[jsaronson]

When you are solo it doubles as a poor man's auto pilot while you run to the cooler or the head!

[-OvO-]

I have always made a practice of locking the wheel or the tiller when at anchor or docked. I was told, sometime in the mists of memory, that this would prevent wear on the rudder bushings. True or False?

[jsaronson]

True!

[keywestcharlie]

I have a wheel and tiller in my boat, can I disconnect the wheel and only use the tiller, will removing the wheel portion have any effect on the tiller portion, the boat is a 1972 Coronado, 27 ft....................................

[Silvio]

Also good to attenuate anchoring sailing if you have a little current flowing over your rudder.