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Davidson 31 - change wheel back to tiller?


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Hi all

Long time lurker and searcher of these forums, a great source of info and advice.

I have a Davidson 31 which I bought in 2023. It's in very good condition. A few years ago (2018ish I think), the tiller was converted to a wheel. It was done professionally (with the inclusion of an emergency tiller). It also has a Raymarine autopilot

I am considering removing the wheel and reverting to a tiller and want to canvas opinions...

 

Why I am considering reverting to a tiller:

- I like a tiller for steering

- the wheel is a bit awkward to clamber behind

- the helm can't easily get to the mainsheet and halyards which are forward in the cockpit

- I guess I think it would be easier to e.g. tack/gybe while steering with the tiller between my legs, can't figure out how to do this with the wheel

- The rudder post does not extend above deck level - I am not sure if it ever did - but it does enable an emergency tiller to be fitted so I'd expect this can be adapted to fit a proper tiller.

 

What's bad about doing this?

- cost, I'd need a tiller and I'd want to install an autopilot ram below deck - I guess this is possible since a quadrant was installed so there will be something to use as a lever, plus a compass

- does it reduce the perceived value (do buyers want a pedestal wheel)

- am I being wheelist, is there some other way I can short-handed/single-handed do things with a wheel instead of tiller

 

For now I'll assume it's possible to do - what I am after is opinions on whether I should consider doing it!

 

Thanks in advance :)

Ian

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I am a Tillerist and I like the lack of wheel/pedistal clutter.

But about the autopilot steering ram, is it hydraulic and is it free to move when not engaged?

Have you considered the sweep of the tiller arm when the pilot is working, how fast will the tiller move and will it hurt when you are in the way?

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Thanks

Have you considered the sweep of the tiller arm when the pilot is working

I've never used autopilot so never really considered it, but I guess there must be a 'normal' way to set it up (e.g. put the tiller vertical on its hinge while under pilot or something)

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3 hours ago, grant said:

for tacking etc are you using the current autopilot? most will have a tack function that allows you to deal with sails

I confess I haven't had the bravery to try that yet

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2 hours ago, ianz said:

I confess I haven't had the bravery to try that yet

I did by mistake last weekend.  Mrs Aardvark almost fell into the gulf, bar of soap in her hand (sea was calm, no one around so it was shower day).

Won't do that again 

  • Haha 2
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3 hours ago, ianz said:

I confess I haven't had the bravery to try that yet

on the tiller pilot you press the two '+' or '-' buttons together, depending which way you want to go and it goes through a 100deg turn and straighens out. easy!

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