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Date Posted: - Tuesday - 09/ 8/09 - 6:58pm
Author: Terry Kelly
Subject: Wheel to tiller

Has anyone successfully converted from the wheel to a tiller on an M32?

We own M32 #26 Formerly Carpe Diem now Bridget.

Just got to wonderin'

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Replies:

[> Wheel to tiller -- Steve M-32 SEAN O'Sea, - Tuesday - 09/ 8/09 - 9:28pm

"Scandia Dream" M-31 #69 has one. I was thinking about changing SEAN O'Sea over also so I e-mailed Matt. This is his reply to me:

"She had a tiller when we bought her. The helm is a good deal more sensitive, of course, but a Mariner is a powerful rig, and there isn't much between you and the sea. I usually have to steer with my feet (more strength in the legs) since any heading to windward creates a tremendous amount of resistance, no matter what sail combinations I try. On the other hand, it's great downwind or on a reach since the boat practically steers itself. It's a bit tiring under power, since the thrust of the prop pushes against the rudder. Sometimes, on a long run, I'll relieve the pressure with a loose double wrap.

The only other advantage is that I can stand up and look over the cabin top when we are motoring in heavy traffic or entering a mooring when I good view is absolutely essential.

matts

Hopefully he will chime in on this thread with more info.


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[> [> Wheel to tiller -- Terry Kelly, - Wednesday - 09/ 9/09 - 9:32am

Aha. Thanks for the quick answer. I wondered about how much mechanical advantage you'd need in a tiller to make it comfortable to use without being a power lifter or having a tiller so long it fouled the mizzen mast(!?)

I'm not disenchanted with the wheel steering, it's just that you do have more sense of what she's doing with a tiller.

So, yeah. If others have experience/opinions, I'd like to hear them.


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[> [> Interesting assessment -- Randall, Murre, M31, - Thursday - 09/10/09 - 9:37pm

Matt's assessment is interesting. I find my boat can be challenging with wind aft of the beam and very hard to balance, especially with wind dead on the quarter. She'll "steer herself" close hauled or with wind forward of the beam, but not aft.

And I'd never thought about how much pressure our large spade rudders must exert or how much the worm gear helps to dampen that. I've not found the lack of feedback in the wheel to be problematic--the boat provides all kind of feed back via other channels.

I use to think long and hard about a tiller too. I like the simplicity, especially compared to our fussy looking, varnish whore, sheet entagling spoke wheel.

But I've grown attached to the wheel. The worm gear is tougher than my mother-in-law; a wheel clears the cockpit for guests; I can steer and handle sheets from the "captain's" seat without much trouble, and I can stand behind the wheel for extra visibilty. And most importantly, it makes women go all soft. Not sure why the wheel, as opposed to the beautifully crafted bronze goosnecks or the teak samson posts, are so attractive to the opposite sex, but I'd count it as an added benefit. :)


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[> [> [> wheel to tiller -- Terry Kelly (Bridget M32), - Friday - 09/11/09 - 6:36pm

The votes are coming in heavily on the side of the wheel, I see, and I guess I'm not all that surprised.

About gender-based reactions to wheels vs tillers: It was the First Mate, Deb, who opined that she missed the tiller on our previous Tartan 27. So, go figure.

Thanks to all for the input, tho.
It wouldn't be a simple matter to convert and since the response isn't exactly overwhelmingly in favor of tillers, I don't think it would be worth the experiment, especially if we didn't like it!


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[> [> [> Tiller vs. Wheel -- Bill Kranidis, - Sunday - 09/13/09 - 6:49pm

I agree with Randall on this one.

Downwind you can't be vigilant enough (gybe happy) on any boat, without, either a windvane or an autopilot (you still have to be at your best). Upwind is where a Mariner shines, when it comes to self-steering. Balance your sail plan lock the wheel and she'll go on for hours without a touch of the wheel.

Bill Kranidis


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[> [> [> [> Wheel to tiller -- Doug Wilson, - Tuesday - 09/15/09 - 3:50pm

I switched to a tiler on Cactus Tree because I couldn't find an auto pilot that would work on it. Now I have a tiller pilot and a Norvane wind vane, working for me.


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