Chrysler Sailors Forum

I am thinking about converting my tiller control to a wheel control. Has anyone done this on their C-26 or C-22 and if so how do you like it? I have seen a few kits you can purchase such as the Edson conversion however I am thinking I will just fabricate most of the parts myself.

I've never converted to wheel, but I would be concerned with how much space a wheel and pedestal would take up in the cockpit.

IMHO, a wheel shouldn't be added to a sailboat unless it has a large cockpit and the need for mechanical advantage. I think that a tiller is much more responsive and has less parts to fail.

Good luck


Jason
S/V Astraeus
1980 C26

but removed it in favor of a tiller and would never go back on the C-26.

The tiller is more responsive, positive and gives a much better sense of the boat's balance.

I never wonder which way the rudder's pointing.

Tiller is cheap, simple, reliable and easy to maintain.

The tiller is much more convenient when singlehanding or shorthanding.

I added a refurbed Simrad autopilot very cheaply, so now when I'm setting the spinnaker singlehanded, or flaking down the main as I motor back to the dock, the boat doesn't wander about as though I'm not at the helm. Much more $$ for a wheel autopilot.

I can sit on the low side and easily trim the jib while i steer. If it's both hands situation, I can steer with my foot quite easily

With a tiller extension, I can hike on the weather the rail a bit.

At anchor, I can raise the tiller and free up the entire cockpit.

The wheel's hardware took up valuable space aft, and since the pulleys and quadrant were uncovered, presented a threat to fingers and could easily be jammed or derailed by stray gear. You can fix all the but the space use by installing a cover shroud.

The way mine had been installed, water would leak down the rudder shaft from the cockpit, and in large waves could splash up from below, although a good $tuffing box should fix those problems.

My head always hit the backstay when I'd stand at the helm, and the aft seat was too low to see properly. If I used a wheel on the boat again, I'd consider moving well forward in the cockpit so that I could gain headroom, reach sheets, vang, etc, and get a bit of shelter from a dodger. But I really can't see going back on such a small, responsive boat.

The only down side I can see to the tiller is the impromptu body cavity search simulation that sometimes occurs if my crew is tailing or sheeting the jib when we come about, particularly in heavy air or with crew unfamiliar with the boat, but we've been able to work around that.

All that said, I have a used Edson pedestal, wheel, pulleys and a quadrant I'd be happy to sell you if you decide to make the conversion. Seriously.

Fair Winds,

Jeff

good points. I have not really thought about the feedback you get from a tiller.

Shot me an email about your wheel conversion. I might be interested unless I can talk myself out of it.

email is ronc@columbus.rr.com

thanks guys

Hello all,

I just bought a 1976 C22 that has already been converted to a wheel and I am considering going back to a tiller to make sealing the hull penetration easier. As it is I am not able to access the area. I do have some pictures if anyone is interested in seeing how mine was done. If I keep the wheel I will be raising the mechanism above the floor and encasing it.

I am working on replace the swing keel brackets and refinishing the keel before I dive into the rudder leak repair and hull paint.................then it's back to the water after a 27 year hiatus from sailing

Hello! And welcome aboard! Congrats on the new boat. The Chrysler 22 its a fine fine sailor, and fast one too. With the right trim in her sails, she can do 6-7 knots easy.
Pictures are welcome!

Gus