Compass 29's - Tiller or wheel?

[Michael Ball]

Yes, I am still lurking round in the background! 

Question: I was discussing yachts with a friend, mentioning the give and takes of helming, and preferences. I prefer tiller steering, he wheel. He said that the C29  came standard with wheel steering, with a tiler the option. Is this correct? Looking on line all C29's for sale a wheel.

Very important I get it right as a middy of beer rides on it - and we know how much a beer costs these days!!!!

Stay dry.

Michael

[Maeling]

Sorry if I am late answering, hope that schooner has not gone flat!

The C29 in production came with wheel steering (terrifying to have to work on at sea, I would think!

I elected to fit tiller steering and a Tiller-Pilot to mine.  I am not good in confined spaces.

Cheers

Geoff

[Michael Ball]

Thanks Geoff. That is what I thought. Was a tiller able to easily fitted if needed - say wheel cable broke - in an emergency?

Cheers

Michael

[MrSeaDragon]

Hi Michael,

As the top of the rudder protrudes from the cockpit sole, an emergency tiller is easily fitted. Unfortunately there is little room for it to swing without connecting with the steering pedestal, so most emergency tillers are short. I wouldn't want to have to steer with one for long, especially with a bit of weather helm on !!

Kind regards,

Greg.

[Maeling]

The C29 rudder shaft extends through the sole of the cockpit floor, It has a tapered square end to fit the bronze tiller block to,  There is a crawl-way over the portside bunk that allows access to the exhaust system. Most 29's have a circular wheel on the rudder post below the wheel pedestal.

Geoff

[Maeling]

You're right about the effort to steer with a short club tiller.  It would need relieving tackle.

G

[Maeling]

Speaking with Don; he feels Maeling may be one of the few with tiller steering.  I find it gives the cockpit more space.

Geoff

[Michael Ball]

I have always liked the feel of a tiller rather than a wheel. Would have been hard to fit a tiller to the Innovator33 - The rudder post was right under the aft bunk!! The emergency steering on my Innovator 33 was very convoluted, and one had to stand in aft hatch and peer out while using it. Don't know it this was standard fit, or was setup by previous owner? Fortunately I never had a reason to use it in a real situation.

Michael