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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 250 Specific Forum

Tiller to Wheel conversion

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Steve Blackburn
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1091 Posts

Initially Posted - 08/04/2007 : 17:27:38

I'm entertaining the idea of installing an Edson wheel on my boat. I believe I saw some pictures on the installation process but maybe on another site? I read all the comments on the Tiller vs Wheel and do not wish to discuss this issue in this thread. Anyone here has done the modification in the past? How easy/hard is it?

Steve Blackburn, Calgary, AB
C250WB - 1999 - Hull 396

Edited by - on

Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2980 Posts

Response Posted - 08/05/2007 : 06:23:10

Steve, if you do this upgrade, and while it is on my mind, at the bottom of the pedestal, a large 4" hole is drilled for passage of cables and wiring. That hole should not be drilled center of pedestal but rather the aft edge of the hole should align with the aft inner surface of the pedestal.

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britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 08/05/2007 : 07:14:36

Steve, ... and while you are at it, consider running cables for GPS and other instruments, either in the pedestal guard tube or within the pedestal itself.

A less important but annoying issue is that on the wheel C250s, the trunk panel cannot be raised up as high as a tiller version due to the fact that the steering cables effectively lower the deckhead. In our case, I modified the panel retaining clips on the inside of the panel so that the panel did not need raising so much before it could be pulled out.

To clarify, I'm talking about the panel that is in the middle of the aft berth bulkhead hiding the battery bay. It's removed by lifting it up and pulling fwd.

The wheel installation reduces the range of vertical lift by over 1/2", hence making it very difficult to remove the panel.

Paul

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Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 08/05/2007 : 11:14:48

Steve, our 250 came with the wheel steering so I can't help you there. But I did add a pedestal guard and recommend it. Great place to mount tables, cup holders, GPS, etc and a place to run wires for the instruments.

You will also want to construct a helmsman seat.

Also, think about adding Edson motor controls to the pedestal and with your hard link setup you then have full motor control at the helm. This is a project I hope to do this winter.

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Steve Blackburn
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1091 Posts

Response Posted - 08/07/2007 : 02:35:52

Any of you have information on pricing and options? Tried to download the datasheet from the Edson site and the C250.pdf file is not accessible. Who sells these anyways?

Edited by - Steve Blackburn on 08/07/2007 02:36:14

Russ.Johnson
Commodore

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USA
842 Posts

Response Posted - 08/07/2007 : 11:22:20

Steve,
My Catalina dealer said he has ordered Edson wheel steering conversion kits in the past.
I would start with a local Catalina dealer, also Edson has dealer contacts for other boats.
The Catalina and Edson websites should have dealer locators.
Russ #793

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moserd
Navigator

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USA
149 Posts

Response Posted - 08/07/2007 : 12:38:51

Steve,

I have a couple of PDF files from Edson that may be of some use. Give me an email and I'll send em to you.

D

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Jarrett Anderson
1st Mate

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61 Posts

Response Posted - 08/07/2007 : 13:32:59

I would also recommend the pedestal guard, or your compass will become the new grab rail. You have to dismantal part of the pedestal so it is easier to install all at once. Jarrett _/)

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Steve Blackburn
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1091 Posts

Response Posted - 08/07/2007 : 16:55:04

Moserd I sent you an email, so you should get my email address soon. Thanks.

Thanks for all the tips. I'm thinking of going with the pedestal, Nautiduck pilot seat, wiring etc while I'm at it.

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claffeeba
Deckhand

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USA
1 Posts

Response Posted - 09/04/2007 : 19:44:21

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Steve Blackburn
 I'm entertaining the idea of installing an Edson wheel on my boat. I believe I saw some pictures on the installation process but maybe on another site? I read all the comments on the Tiller vs Wheel and do not wish to discuss this issue in this thread. Anyone here has done the modification in the past? How easy/hard is it?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

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The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.