Rough cost to convert tiller to wheel

[L124C]

Originally Posted by sneuman

What's wrong with a tiller? It's really the simplest and best system. If it works for your boat, I'd keep it.

New to the thread? Though I agree with you, look at earlier posts for several answers to your question!

[Plumbean]

I much prefer having a tiller and would certainly not bother converting a T34C from a tiller to a wheel. There are plenty of them out there that already have a wheel and you will have plenty of other projects to deal with, so why create one?

For what it is worth, I have an S&S designed 34 footer from the same era. A wheel would take up a lot of space in the cockpit permanently. With the tiller, it takes up space while sailing but folds out of the way nicely when at anchor. I haven't sailed a T34C, but suspect that like most S&S designed boats they are well balanced, so the use of a tiller would not be an issue.

While I can see how one might feel differently about this for an offshore passage, if that is your plan on a regular basis I would expect that a wind vane and/or autopilot would be in use for much of the time. Incidentally, the same goes for a wheel too. Hand steering for days at a time would be tiring either way.

[arf145]

For gosh sakes. Whenever a thread comes up where someone inquires about a project like this, the "Tiller People" rise up like so many zombies and, ignoring much of what the OP has said, state that they like tillers, tillers are good, why don't you want a tiller? as if they and their tillers have been somehow threatened by someone wanting a wheel. Great, you tiller folks like your tillers--have an annual meeting about it. Bring your tillers Meanwhile, some like the wheel. Or in this case, the OP's wife wants a wheel. A perfectly fine reason to get a boat with a wheel. Conversion on that boat? Maybe not.