Jun. 1, 2005 - Wheel of fortune....

While I have a list of tasks/jobs that need doing as long as my arm, I am busily finding all sorts of other interesting jobs that aren't anywhere near as urgent, and getting on with them instead....

When we were shopping for a boat originally, we ummed and arred about whether we wanted a wheel or not, and part of the reason for ending up with a tiller was financial....

I however, have recently been pointed at a wheel kit that is for sale, that specification wise meets my needs exactly, and I am seriously considering whether or not to have  ago at fitting it......

I am thinking that it will firstly make the steering a bit more fun for the kids and SWMBO, but also that it won't do the re-sale value any harm either.

The cockpit area of the boat is fitted with a seperate pit for the helmsman, and so a wheel would be a relatively straightforward addition in the cockpit...

The only really major challenge would be fitting the quadrant to the rudder post. I need to look at the weekend to see how the rudder post is presented internally... and whether there is a seal/bearing at the bottom, and then a bare post, or whether it runs through a tube all the way up to the deck where the tiller fits onto a normal square peg..... if that is the case I don't think I'll bother, as the additional hassle of cutting the rudder tube, and fitting a seal is more trouble than its worth....

If however, the post is exposed... then it could be very doable.... alternatively, I could fit the quadrant to the square peg at the top anyway, and hide all the mechanism in a seat for the helmsman....

It also has the added advantage of having a space for a binnacle compass, so would avoid me having to cut a hole in the bulkhead....

Food for thought......

Jun. 3, 2005 - Haro