Contessa 26 Refit ep.15 - Tiller vs Wheel on a Contessa 26

[@Brian-yw1mo]

Thanks for another thoughtful presentation. Another consideration in favour of a tiller is that he tiller gives nice feedback when weather helm is developing. My personal opinion of the wheel is that it is more to reduce effort of steering a larger boat but I guess it's all down to individual preference and I prefer the elegant simplicity of the tiller matching my Contessa's beautiful lines. Congratulations on the great result of your hard work. brian

[@delstep2255]

I am happy with the video and th fact that you actually responded to people. Good stuff.

[@grahamm2015]

Love the videos and a classic boat. A pro for the wheel is that you would have to remount the compass. Most around the cabin entrance. However I would go with a tiller as the first time I used a wheel I nearly put the yacht under a very large freighter. Another story

[@dimtgco1428]

Magnificent word working on your Contessa. I noticed Tabernacle NJ, but it looks like you're somewhere in Beach Haven? I sail an O'Day 240 out of Tom's River. You're right. Boats are never finished. Would love to see that Contessa one day.

[@EpoxyAndButylTape]

Good eye! I do keep my boat on LBI in the summer.

[@dimtgco1428]

@Epoxy and Butyl Tape I know every inch of LBI. Too much shallow water! I imagine you sail out into the ocean through Beach Haven Inlet. You got big ones. That inlet can be harder than Barnegat. I'm a bay man. Your videos are very useful. On a mission right now asi write to start watching them all. I don't know how I missed this channel. Hitting the like button on every one!

[@EpoxyAndButylTape]

Shallow indeed. That inlet gets occasionally terrifying, sometimes with a 7 knot tidal current that can knock you down if you get stuck on the sandbar!

[@jonathanwetherell3609]

Have you thought about a tiller extension? This enables steering from just about anywhere in the cockpit/combing. To me it's tiller on all counts except throttle position.

[@EpoxyAndButylTape]

I have used plenty of tiller extensions on other boats, but for this one I'm going to just make a longer tiller or leave as is.

[@brianhepworth4854]

Thank you for your videos... I’ve thoroughly enjoyed them. I’ve just started my sailing training. But straight away the Contessa jumped out to me as the boat I want... in fact discovering them is what’s made me start my training... Personally I think the wheel looks out of place. It just seems big and clumsy... like when young lads who can’t afford a sports car try and make their hatchback look like a sports car... if you get what I mean... just my two pence worth... Looking forward to lots of videos of you sailing her.😀

[@EpoxyAndButylTape]

Thanks Brian. 100% agree on the wheel. I’ve already converted it back and it feels so good to have a tiller back in my hand... even with the boat on the hard. Now I just need to put the video together.

[@kbbarton1]

Tiller-steering has many advantages, as you point out. The main problems with it for me are visibility of the instruments/chartplotter from the tiller and also coming into a dock could be problematic since the helmsman would likely have to crouch down to reach the gear shift/throttle which would reduce forward visibility... not a problem if you have crew but if you singlehand it could be an issue.

[@EpoxyAndButylTape]

Agree. Those were some of the things I pointed out for my situation as well.

[@Garryck-1]

Hmmm.. now you have me pondering ways to be able to temporarily mount gear and throttle controls *on* the tiller itself, while still allowing for them to be removed and located neatly away the rest of the time. And it's not just academic.. the 37'6" Benford Sailing Dory I plan to build will have tiller steering and a diesel outboard in a well.

[@EpoxyAndButylTape]

I've been thinking that an extension on the throttle lever might be the way to go. Something that is telescoping or fold-able or at least removable

[@bardarians]

@@Garryck-1 A gear and throttle contol on a tiller would definitely resolve issues. Let me know how the research is going on if you don't mind? I'm currently rebuilding a boat with a tiler.

[@edwardfinn4141]

Loved the video. I have the same dilemma with my Alberg 35. I have a pedestal and SS wheel, but the old original tiller mounts on the floor behind the wheel, Making the tiller unusable right now! Agreed the wheel is kind of sexy and is a great selling feature. I have had 4 boats , plus two Lasers, and I prefer the tiller… But I never thought about the practicality of having the phone mounted on the Binnacle… Does your tiller ‘flip up’ out of the way? Keep up the great work.👍👍

[@EpoxyAndButylTape]

The pushpit doesn’t allow the tiller to flip up, but it is easily removed with one nut. What you didn’t see in the video was that once I removed the rudder quadrant, there was a crack underneath that surely would’ve come apart at the worst possible time.

[@robertrenes8639]

You did a great job, congratulations.

[@coldisle]

The right decision in my opinion. I always thought…just visually alone..that wheel helms look ridiculous on most boats under 30’…especially on a great looking boat like the Contessa. This has to be the Only Contessa I’ve ever seen with a wheel. To each his/her own…but I’m with you 1000%!

[@EpoxyAndButylTape]

Thanks man. Ive only seen one other Contessa 26 with a wheel and it was in the factory brochure… it was apparently a factory option at JJ Taylor.

[@drdecco1]

Is that a screwdriver sticking out of the rudder stock? Reminds me of a Craftsman set I bought in ?”Sears” 35 years ago 😲

[@EpoxyAndButylTape]

Lol, yes it is a screwdriver… for demonstration purposes and probably the same Craftsman Philips head that you have.

[@nickwojcik4391]

Great video mate. Simple question for everyone- I am considering buying a Dehler Db1 yacht as a first boat for me and my girl. Would you guys still consider this a good choice to have a tiller on a 10m yacht? I am mostly curious about auto steering because of forces on the rudder.

[@EpoxyAndButylTape]

Thanks Nick. A tiller is the way to go for boats up to 40 feet in my opinion. Bigger than that, a pedestal steering wheel has its advantages.

[@mr.morgan5643]

Great video! Thanks.... Hands down tiller wins!!

[@mrmrlee]

Great video! I will be doing a wheel to tiller conversion on my boat, as the wheel is more than 3 full turns lock to lock. This means you can be holding the wheel straight ahead but be one full turn to port or starboard. This is a terrible design as there is virtually no feedback to the steerer. We almost crashed into several boats on our first sail. We had previously learned to sail on a tiller, and had no issues at all.

[@McGyverPilot]

Do you still have your wheel assembly laying in storage, or did you get rid of it? I need a used one. Thanks.

[@EpoxyAndButylTape]

I still have it, but I'm planning to keep it for future use. There are a few marine consignment shops around the country where you can get a used one somewhat inexpensively.

[@laxmannate07]

Tiller definitely seems to make the most sense on a small boat.

[@asennaydenov6461]

Hi, I have the same old wheel and the pedestal base is totally corroded. Do you know which model it is. It’s not easy to find a replacement... If you have removed it from your boat please sell it to me!

[@EpoxyAndButylTape]

Hi Asen- It's an Edson C-185, but I'm not looking to sell it. However if you give Bacon Sails in Annapolis, Maryland a call, they might be able to sell you one and ship it to you. I was there today and I saw quite a few available.

[@asennaydenov6461]

@@EpoxyAndButylTape Hi, Thank you, appreciate it! Now I know what to look after. The thing is that in Sweden Edson is not really common steering system. I have been trying to look at many places and nobody have this pedestal with the cut on the front. I hope that Bacon Sails will have it.

[@nickwojcik4391]

Regatta tiller extension is a solution to most problems with tiller imho

[@EpoxyAndButylTape]

I was able to adapt an outboard motor’s tiller extension to the tiller on my boat.

[@misterrick9734]

I’m in the process of watching your videos which are very well done. Thx. There is a Contessa 26 for sale near me. It has the original engine which needs to be replaced. Does it look like there was much modification that had to be done on your boat by the prior owner to install/fit the yanmar?

[@EpoxyAndButylTape]

Hey Rick. It doesn’t look like it would be an issue to get the Yanmar in, but on mine it does look like someone cut part of the cockpit engine opening and glassed it back together for some reason.

[@outingwithme1581]

Contessa used to produce car too .. m I right ?

[@EpoxyAndButylTape]

Probably a different company. Contessa is the boat’s model name, the companies that built them were Jeremy Rogers (UK) and J.J. Taylor (Canada).

[@outingwithme1581]

@@EpoxyAndButylTape oh. Then its different..

[@PaulAnthonyDuttonUk]

It’s a debate for sure. I saw a small boat that had a wheel yet it was stationed only 2 feet back from the hatch which really had a lot of advantages. It enables you to have cover yet still steer in bad weather. Allowed use of grab rail in the Bimini rather than relying on a pedestal. Socially it still enabled line of sight for two people with backs against the cabin. Gave back room to the mid and rear section of the cockpit but was a good position I thought for handling sheets and winches. I would keep the tiller as well yet it’s pointless having them on top of each other at the rear.

[@PaulAnthonyDuttonUk]

I just realised this is a year old 🤭 What did u choose to do?

[@EpoxyAndButylTape]

I converted it back to tiller steering in part 17.

[@brucekratky7993]

Contessa 26...tiller. It is sooo cool with its’ tiller.

[@philipritson8821]

Why would you put a wheel on a Contessa 26?

[@EpoxyAndButylTape]

That's a question for the former owner that had it installed. I've removed it in part 17.

[@RoryL83]

Classic boat needs classic tiller. If you like a wheel buy a Beneteau.

[@EpoxyAndButylTape]

I agree with your sentiment, but a wheel was original equipment on some JJ Taylor built Contessas, since it was a factory option.