[TSOJOURNER]

I found a very nice Islander 36 for sale with a very reasonable price tag. It was well maintained and has all the goodies (rador, water maker, freezer unit, windless...). Here's the catch, it's tiller and I really would like wheel steering with the autopilot and the GPS at the pedestal. How hard is it to convert a tiller to a wheel?! What is the cost? Bottom line, is it worth it?

 

[funsailthekeys]

Conversion

Edson makes several conversion kits. Look to see which one best suites your needs.

 

[Rockter]

It certainly is expensive, far more complex, more difficult to maintain, and more difficult to fit an autopilot.
I would leave it as it is.

 

[PBzeer]

Rough estimate (your time and labor) with all the goodies you want, about $5k.

 

[WouldaShoulda]

Even I think a 36ft boat should have a wheel on it!!

Is it worth it??

No, I'd go to the next boat.

 

[bljones]

Price it out- the parts list is at the bottom of the page.

http://www.edsonmarine.com/support/wheel_conversion/pdfs/S-374.pdf

 

[GaryHLucas]

I can't for the life of me figure out the attraction to a wheel. I sailed a Cape Dory 30 with a wheel overnight to Block Island. Still can't see why anyone would want a wheel. A tiller just tells you so much about a what the boat is doing, and it folds up out of the way in port. I guess it looks yachty!

 

[sailingdog]

IF you want a boat with wheel steering, buy one that has a wheel. If you like this Islander... get the Islander. A tiller-equipped boat can be used with an autopilot as well as have a GPS where you can see it at the helm.

 

[jbondy]

Spend the money on a good below deck autopilot and appreciate the roominess in the cockpit when on the hook. FWIW If I had it to do all over, I'd look for a wheel-less boat.

 

[TSOJOURNER]

One thing to add to the equation!

So from what I hear, half of you love sterring with a tiller and the other half do not think it is worth the time and money!?

Well, to the first half, I like a wheel on a boat that size and I promise you it has nothing to do with being "'yauhty".

As for the second half of you, I think I left something out of the equation, the cost of the boat. I can get the boat for $10K less that other Islander 36 in the same comdition and will a less impressive list of specs. If I can convert to wheel steering for a weekend of labor and $5K,.... it may to very well worth it.

Thanks for all your input!

 

[WouldaShoulda]

Hey, wait, we haven't even started yet!!

 

[sailingdog]

SurfingSS—

Chances are very likely that you'll have to beef up the cockpit sole to handle the weight and stress the steering pedestal is going put on it.

 

[trecksail]

Edson

In case you haven't checked your private messages, I have an entire Edson system available. It is off a 36 as well and is in excellent condition. I'll get some pics taken if you're interested.

 

[TSOJOURNER]

trecksail,
I've sent you two replies to your private message. Have you received them?

 

[sailingdog]

SurfingSS-

IIRC, you can't reply to PMs until you HAVE 10 POSTS.

 

[trecksail]

Edson Steering

No, it sounds like they won't go through till you get the 10 posts. But you can email me at josephhtrecker at yahoo dot com. Just replace the "at" and "dot" with the symbols, since I'm told the robot spammers look for email adresses and cram em full.

 

[sailingdog]

No, it sounds like they won't go through till you get the 10 posts. But you can email me at josephhtrecker at yahoo dot com. Just replace the "at" and "dot" with the symbols, since I'm told the robot spammers look for email adresses and cram em full.

Smart boy, you're learning...

 

[Rockter]

It's a brave man thinks they can fit a wheel steering arrangement in a week-end.

 

[lynger1]

I found a very nice Islander 36 for sale with a very reasonable price tag. It was well maintained and has all the goodies (rador, water maker, freezer unit, windless...). Here's the catch, it's tiller and I really would like wheel steering with the autopilot and the GPS at the pedestal. How hard is it to convert a tiller to a wheel?! What is the cost? Bottom line, is it worth it?

Hi a seen a few boats convertert from tiller steering
fit hydralic steering simple need to make smaall s/steel box and recess it in stern as atransom
any good steel engeneering firm will fix that
good luck

I have my link with s/steel arm look at pic

 

[bljones]

I think you are converting in the wrong direction there. The OP wants to replace his existing tiller with a wheel, not vice versa.