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From: Bryan Genez (no email)
Date: Fri Aug 20 2004 - 07:49:48 EDT
squidsrus85 wrote:
> Being new to cruising, I am surprised to find several of
> the "desired" boats are tiller-steered.
>
> I assume a wheel would be a more comfortable (dry) option so can
> someone enlighten me on this subject. If I abandon the tiller models
> it narrows down the choice of boats.
>
> Wouldn't a wheel also be easier for fitting an auto-pilot?
I have a wheel. A sistership to my boat ("Resourceful") was the first boat
single-handed around the world in the Southern Oceans by a US sailor. It
had a tiller.
Most people seem to prefer wheels. Possibly because wheels are easier to
understand - turn right to go right, etc. Possibly because many are more
comfortable standing at a helm, rather than sitting to the side.
By design, wheels are more likely to experience a failure, as the gear
between the wheel and the rudder post is a weak link. Note that the
"emergency tiller" that comes with a wheel-steered boat is a *tiller*.
One of the nicest custom-built boats I ever saw was a 47-foot aluminum
sloop, built in the Netherlands. The owner made every system aboard as
simple as possible. He had tiller steering.
Tiller autopilots are typically cheaper, easier to install, and quite
simple. Below-deck autopilots are exactly the same as for a wheel, because
they operate off a *tiller* that's attached to the rudder stock.
When the boat is at rest, the tiller can be put away, substantially
increasing the usable size of the cockpit.
If you're uncomfortable with a tiller, by all means you should exclude them
from your search. But don't assume that a tiller is an inferior choice.
It's not.
-- Best, Bryan Genez (KB3HMZ) "Capella" Valiant 40 #158 Annapolis, MD ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> Make a clean sweep of pop-up ads. Yahoo! Companion Toolbar. Now with Pop-Up Blocker. Get it for free! http://us.click.yahoo.com/L5YrjA/eSIIAA/yQLSAA/A1TolB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/world-cruising/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
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