Converting helm back into a tiller

[K2MSmith]

For quick and easy with a tiller, I use a Tillerclutch. https://wavefrontmarine.com/. As long as things are pretty well balanced, it will hold the helm long enough to let you move around a bit. A few years later I added in a Raymarine Evo AP that is fully integrated with my other instruments. It took a bit of tweaking to get it set up the way I like it but it's been fine since. "Pro" tip: If you get one of these, make notes on your settings so you can reproduce them after applying updates. The updates will wipe out any user defined settings.

I did a mini review of the TillerClutch here :

E33-1 - Mini-Review of the TillerClutch

As a single-handler, I have been looking for a good solution to temporarily hold the tiller while other sailing duties can be attended to. I have a Simrad tiller-pilot but it is not easy to quickly engage and disengage for short term periods. I...

ericsonyachts.org

 

[Slick470]

I did a mini review of the TillerClutch here :

E33-1 - Mini-Review of the TillerClutch

As a single-handler, I have been looking for a good solution to temporarily hold the tiller while other sailing duties can be attended to. I have a Simrad tiller-pilot but it is not easy to quickly engage and disengage for short term periods. I...

ericsonyachts.org

Cool. I'll have to read through your review. It was one of the first things we bought for our boat after we purchased it. We went to the Annapolis sailboat show and ran across their booth back in 2010. The product seemed so much better than the similar devices we've seen for tillers and the designer was very enthusiastic about it at the show. It's been some of the best boat related money we've spent.

 

[Stuphoto]

I have a list of what I want on my next boat, and #1 is something in the 30 - 35 foot range.
#2 is Tiller steering.
Which pretty much rules out any Ericson I have look at.

If it isn't too hard to convert them over I may still consider an Ericson.
Although one thing I still hate is that wall or is it a Bulkhead across some boats in that size range.
I like a wide open cockpit.

 

[Christian Williams]

I don't know why you'd want a 35-foot boat with a tiller. Don't be distracted by racers, or round-the-worlders, or the lunatics who race singlehanded to Hawaii. They are Special Needs sailors.

Modern wheel steering is a marvel for many cruising reasons. It allows an autopilot, it provides good feel (because it's big enough), and when the cockpit is designed around it, space is maximized.

I believe there is a lingering undue respect for tillers, derived from Westsails and other ancient tubs, a goofy nostalgia not related to experience. I spent many years hanging onto a tiller, then passing it to somebody else, or tying it off when to weather, or rigging the Tillermaster to block the cockpit. It was work. And the bigger the boat, the more the work.

Yes, a tiller affords ultimate control--if you're racing a Farr 40. Just don't ever let go of it! Cruising, however, profits from a wheel. We are just not working every wind shift and wave advantage, which is what tillers are good at.

These are opinions, you say?

Well...maybe. But I've never missed a tiller for an instant on a heavy cruising boat.

 

[Stuphoto]

I do respect you in every way Christian and value your knowledge.
At this time I still prefer the KISS rule.
I should mention, my 25' is my first sailboat and I still have lots to learn.
Plus my list will probably change some before my purchase.

When it's time for my third boat I will likely have a whole new list and a wheel may be on it.

 

[K2MSmith]

I have a tiller in my E33 ( it was racing boat ), prior to that I sailed all wheel helms ( as member of various sailing clubs ) . For me ( as a single hand / short hand sailer ), the advantages are :
1) it’s fun to steer and I think I can maneuver the boat quicker / tighter in the marina .
2) the tiller tilts up out of the way and leaves the entire cockpit open.
3) mechanically simpler
4 ) can be closer to sheet winches and main sheet while steering ( with arms and legs

Disadvantages
1) many guests on the boat will not be comfortable steering your boat . You’ve assumed everyone has steered an outboard motor on a small boat , but this is not true.
2) less autopilot options
3 ) it is physically harder to steer with weather helm .
4 ) minor but my tiller is wood , so needs varnishing.
5 ) a tiller clutch or locking mechanism requires rigging another line across cockpit

if I were buying another 35’ boat today , I’d probably go for a wheel because I think disadvantage 1) and 2) are heavily weighted for me . After 2 years , my wife is still uncomfortable steering, for example. .

 

[Alan Gomes]

Much, it seems to me, depends upon the sailing characteristics of the boat in question.

I used to own a Catalina 30. It was a great boat in a lot of ways, but frankly I did not care for the way it sailed overall. It had a heavy helm. Though I never sailed one with a tiller (as the earliest iterations had), I'd have to think it would have been a real chore, even though the boat is only 30 feet. The mechanical advantage provided by the wheel was really necessary for that boat. Mine was a Mk-II, with a T-shaped cockpit, so I was able to add a 36" wheel, which helped. I never did like the wheel per se, but it was unquestionably the way to go for that boat and I learned to live with it for the time I had that boat.

On the other hand, certain well-balanced boats, such as a Cal 40 or Loren's O-34, often will sport tillers, and probably for good reason. I also notice that there are some Beneteau models in the 30 to 32 ft. range that came standard with them, even though they are not flat-out racers. But just eyeballing those boats without having actually sailed them, they appear as though they might be fun to sail with one.

 

[Loren Beach]

Which pretty much rules out any Ericson I have look at.

For the sake of accuracy, the "stock" factory steering on the E-33RH was a tiller, and we used to have one (said to be hull #1) in our club. Also stock on the Olson 911 and Olson 34. Different in the 70's when many Ericson's had stock tillers.

That said, when shopping, we found that most of the Olson's were delivered/built with the wheel option and that was the case for ours too.
The wheel adds cost and maintenance complexity, but does have some advantages also, as others here have found. We initially planned to convert to a tiller, but the cost of extending the rudder shaft and adding a different bearing/fitting at the top just did not fit our budget. The engine controls would have to be replaced, and also the compass.

We accept the benefits and the limitations of the wheel; in the end everything's a compromise anyhow.

 

[Christian Williams]

I'm only ranting about larger boats. A 25-- gotta have a tiller. An Olson 34--why not? A Cal 40? Oh spare me the pain.

 

[Alan Gomes]

On the other hand, certain well-balanced boats, such as a Cal 40 or Loren's O-34, often will sport tillers, and probably for good reason.

"You might expect wheel steering on a boat this size, but the stock Cal 40 came with a big tiller. The boat is well enough balanced to be controlled with a tiller, and many helmsmen prefer it to a wheel, which masks feedback from the rudder and makes sensitive steering more difficult." (https://cal40.com/articles.php)

 

[G Kiba]

Love sailing the Cal40. Amazing boat.

 

[Christian Williams]

Here is the tiller build in a great series on total restoration of a Cal 40. The full series is here. I think anybody with a project boat would profit from watching the whole thing.

 

[Randy Rutledge]

I just brought PIERUT home today for some love and care.
My wife struggles with the tiller she said she wished we had a wheel (also the tiller takes up most of the cockpit) so out with the tiller and in with a wheel. I was able to pick up all the parts except steering cables, throttle and shifter cables for $250. Now to build the bridge to mount the pedestal on, the E29 has the quadrant above the cockpit sole.

Planning deck freeboard and of course bottom paint along with other cosmetics.

 

[Gablenl]

Hello, I ended up taking out the helm this weekend! I notice that when operating the tiller it seems a little stiff. I am wondering if I need to grease the shaft or maybe its lubricated with water when in the water? I do not see a packing gland. Any insight? I tried looking up similar postings but don't see much specifically on 27's. The rudder is solid does not budge when rocking it. I only have a couple weekends left before it goes back in and would rather not drop the rudder if I can avoid it.

 

[Dave G.]

I am wondering if I need to grease the shaft or maybe its lubricated with water when in the water?

I am not sure of your model but most Ericsons have grease zerks on the rudder tube and It definitely helps to keep it full. That said if you do have any they may be corroded and useless so you need to replace with new ones. Was it difficult to turn with the wheel previously ?

 

[Gablenl]

I am not sure of your model but most Ericsons have grease zerks on the rudder tube and It definitely helps to keep it full. That said if you do have any they may be corroded and useless so you need to replace with new ones. Was it difficult to turn with the wheel previously ?

Thanks for the quick reply. Looks like there is a zerk at the top where the tiller attaches, but might be clogged/ looks pretty rusty. Wheel turned fine, no issues. Just felt a little stiff when turning it with the tiller.

 

[KS Dave]

Thanks for the quick reply. Looks like there is a zerk at the top where the tiller attaches, but might be clogged/ looks pretty rusty. Wheel turned fine, no issues. Just felt a little stiff when turning it with the tiller.

I found that my zerk in that same location was inoperable, but I was able to remove it and re-use the threaded hole with a replacement zerk. Our local hardware store carried SS zerks of all sizes.

 

[peaman]

Thanks for the quick reply. Looks like there is a zerk at the top where the tiller attaches, but might be clogged/ looks pretty rusty. Wheel turned fine, no issues. Just felt a little stiff when turning it with the tiller.

On most of the boats represented here, there are two locations wanting grease. You apparently found the upper bearing just under the cockpit deck. There should be another zerk on the rudder rudder tube. This thread goes into lots of detail on greasing the rudder post, including installation of a new zerk if the original is unusable.

 

[Gablenl]

I found that my zerk in that same location was inoperable, but I was able to remove it and re-use the threaded hole with a replacement zerk. Our local hardware store carried SS zerks of all sizes.

Awesome thanks for the info! Might be a pain to get off. Did you just unscrew?

 

[Gablenl]

On most of the boats represented here, there are two locations wanting grease. You apparently found the upper bearing just under the cockpit deck. There should be another zerk on the rudder rudder tube. This thread goes into lots of detail on greasing the rudder post, including installation of a new zerk if the original is unusable.

Great thanks! I have not located the one under the deck. Ill check this weekend!