Sam,
I don't wish to beat a dead horse, especially since it's clear you're in agreement with the contributing members. But since a picture is worth a thousand words, I thought I'd show you one that makes the issue very clear.
A neighbor in the work yard recently purchased an older Columbia 9.6 (31.5') to take to St Croix, USVI. (This boat has wheel steering.) The boat was advertised as being "ready for cruising". He did not have a survey taken before making his purchase. Knowing the reputation of the broker from whom the boat was purchased, I urged the new owner to have rigging, steering, thru-hulls, engine, and other key components carefully checked while he was in the yard "for bottom paint". The list of things that were found were so long, that he's now invested over $10,000 additional funds into "ready for cruising" boat and delayed his departure until next year. Trust me... this guy would NOT have invested the additional money, had he not recognized that these things were absolutely essential for his safety.
The attached photo shows the steering quadrant, with one remaining strand of wire providing a means for him to steer his vessel. Granted, things can go wrong with tiller steering as well. But the impending problems are infinitely easier to detect. Had this gentleman cast off for St. Croix, taking the broker's word for the boat's cruise-ready condition, he'd probably now be floating aimlessly a few hundred miles offshore, on his way eastward to the catch tradewinds south!
Amazingly, this isn't the only steering quadrant I've seen in this condition on boats that were purchased from the same broker... all advertised as being "ready to cruise".
In summary, consider these points regarding tillers (some already mentioned)...
- A tiller takes up appreciably less room in the cockpit, under sail.
- It takes up no room in the cockpit, when raised at anchor.
- The rudder angle can be determined with a glance at the tiller.
- The feel of the steering is more direct and intuitive.
- Self-steering gear is easier to rig on a tiller.
- A tiller is lighter, simpler, more reliable, and requires less maintenance.
- A steering failure at sea is more likely with wheel steering and can be difficult to jury rig a repair.
- It's difficult to convert a boat from one steering method to another for which it was not originally designed.
Jack Webb
