Tiller to wheel conversion info request

[myona]

I purchased a 1946 wooden boat. Was built in IOW by H Rooke but got no more info. I would like to find out what type is the boat and some hints for its restoration. LOA 8.1m Beam 2.3.

I am looking for information to convert from tiller to wheel steering.

Any help pls
thanks
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid102/p6044bf1fe3efc1fbdb9f6ac368597d18/f9b3e34f.jpg
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http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid102/p9441f57082f448dbd5557cde34a6b1dc/f9b3e3af.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid102/pc4e75f332d1d4b728ef8e1a4bdae28b9/f9b3e3ab.jpg

[MarkC]

On a boat that size, why would you want to convert from the tiller? The tiller is simple and gives great control.

For example, from your photos, you have the rudder hung on the keel (inboard rudder) and not on the transom. This means you will have to do a bit of engineering with a rack and pinion/cog gear or wire pulley system on your rudder shaft.

To change, you will have to either bild a box to hold the wheel mechanism (a small wheel) mounted at the back of the cockpit or over the rudder shaft (see www.edsonmarine.com (http://www.edsonmarine.com) and download their PDF file - they have just about every type available) for this.

Or you could mount a wheel on a pedestal in the center of your cockpit (I don't really think you have room for this option though, the boat is too small, you may have to stand up to use the wheel to its fullest which will look silly and you will be at risk of clouting yourself with the boom).

I have seen in Australia, on 28 footers, small wheels mounted on small pedestals just in front of the rear cockpit seat - so you can sit behind the wheel. It looks a bit cute to me - but my girlfriend loves it.

Just my opinion...

[martin schulz]

Why?

On a boat that size a wheel looks a bit flashy. I have sailed on Smacks up to 70ft with a tiller. Wheels are for big boats or for plasticyachts.

...nice boat by the way ;)

[ 04-06-2004, 01:09 PM: Message edited by: martin schulz ]

[Mike Field]

I have to agree -- why?
.

Here's a tiller considerably larger than yours, which I understand works just fine.

http://www.woodenboatfittings.com.au/hbs/enterprize3-s.jpg

[Bruce Hooke]

FWIW - I will say this...I am not sure about other parts of the world but there are some traditional boats of this size in northeastern North America where wheel steering seems to be common. Friendship Sloops are one good example where wheel steering seems to be common. In all the cases that I can think of it is a wheel on a box at the aft end of the cockpit rather than a pedestal mount...

Last I looked (quite a while ago now) Edson had some very good information on installing their systems.

Maybe we should ask why you want to install wheel steering...It certainly has advantages AND disadvantages!

[Lucky Luke]

Since you started this link twice (in the 'design' thing as well), I give my little opinion here too...

Where was she built???? (IOW=?)
Converting to wheel : is it necessary? Will it add space in the cockpit or the contrary (with a pedestal and a wheel that divide the cockpit into two areas)? Some tiller can be clumbersome, and just changing their shape sometimes changes all.

Anyway, if - which is very probably the case - you have a metallic rudder stock (stainless steel if replaced 'recently', bronze eventually), it only requires a slot for a key to fit a quadrant - provided there is enough room for the quadrant - dimensions for the slot and key being standard engineering practice, and some well located special sheaves, pedestal etc...

2 1/5 to 3 turns from full port to full starboard is what I like. Requires a rather large wheel (your rudder is no small thing). Have some system made so that the tiller can be put back if needed

If the present stock (and rudder fittings) is steel, replace by SS.

[Thad]

Isle of Wight

[myona]

Thanks friends for your help. It is a great decision for me and I guess I will remain with the tiller.