wrote:
On Wed, 25 Feb 2004, Jim Cate wrote:

I'm considering a 1982 Cal 30 for bay and coastal
cruising near Houston - Galveston which I might
also want to offer for rental I'm advised I ought
consider converting from the existing tiller to
wheel steering, which I've been told can be done
for around $1,000 to $1,500, and I wonder about
equipment sources and experience with this boat
in general in terms of whether it is/isn't ] stable
though perhaps not very speedy boat, suitable for
"near-shore" blue water sailing.



Query whether you've actually verified that the guesstimated
conversion price to which you refer is realistic/reliable

Nope. I thought I might get some helpful information from sailers on
the ng who had looked into this already, so that I would have some
knowledte of what's involved and what price ranges to expect. - That's
why I posted the note in the first place.

(though,
relatedly, you don't make clear whether you have in mind
canibalization [of reliable equipment?] compared with buying new)


Again, my note requested suggestions and advice as to the best way to
approach the matter, and whether kits were available for the project. I
don't know the best way to approach the matter, or whether it is one
that is commonly done within the price ranges mentioned, and that's why
I posted the inquiry in the first place.

Further, since you don't say anything whatever about

- the equipment/condition of the particular boat
you've looked at (other than that it is designed
with and has a tiller), or


I haven't seent the boat, but from the ad, it is in good condition, has
roller furling, lines led aft, several communication systems, several
extra sails, and lots of other equipment that other boats in this price
range don't seem to have. So, it at least seems worth looking into,
provided that the wheel conversion could be done at a reasonable price.
- Incidentally, my note didn't actually ask for a detailed analysis
of whether the boat was a good buy, or whether on balance I should
look for a boat with the equipment I needed rather than investing in the
present boat with the wheel conversion . . Instead, my note asked
whether anyone had information or experience about the wheel conversion
process, and whether there were commercially available kits to do the
work. - If you would concentrate on just responding to the questions
asked, you would probably minimize your apparent frustration.

- about where in the ± $13-to-$21K price range
these sorts of boats appear to be offered for
sale you probably would pay for that boat, or

The boat is available at around $17,000. It has new through-hull
fittings, new bottom treatments, roller furling and a 11 hp diesel that
reportedly is in good running condition (which I would have surveyed
before continuing any negotiations.)

- what (if any) esthetic/utility enhancement to
_you_ (as compared with your contemplated part
time rental agent and renters) you believe probably
would result from the conversion apart from dollar cost (not
even whether you would/wouldn't
care how the conversion probably will affect that
boat's comparatively limited cockpit space, etc.), or

I have a strong preference for wheel steering. I can't explain exactly
why, but I don't like the idea of me and my guests having to jump out of
the way of a long tiller extenting into the cockpit


y how long you will keep/use the boat, or

Who knows how long they will keep/use any boat. However, leaving the
boat with the leasing company would solve a number of problems for me,
since I don't want to have to inspect, maintain, and work on the boat on
a regular basis. It would also minimize slip, maintenance, and other
expenses and may provide a tax benefit.. Also, if I decided to sell the
boat (or, for example, if I died and my wife had to sell the boat), it
would be far, far, easier to sell with a wheel steering system than with
a tiller. Although I'm aware of pros and cons of the two systems, there
are MANY MORE POTENTIAL BUYERS of a 30-foot sailboat having wheel steering.


- whether you even care (one way or t'other)
whether if (when?) you sell or trade the wheel
instead of tiller will/won't enhance the liklihood
of a later sale by you or whether you probably
will/won't recoup any of the the dollar cost of conversion,

Your opinion that having wheel steering rather than a tiller won't
enhance the likelihood of a later sale if flat-out wrong. You are, of
course, entitled to your opinion. But in our area, in which there are
lots of relatively new sailboats in the water and at the boat shows, and
in which there are lots of boats for sale, a tiller would be a big
problem in marketing the boat. .


you make it difficult for anyone to offer any (for _you_) probably
reliable suggestions.


Well, if it's too difficult, don't waste any more of your time answering
it.. - However, if you read the note and actually answered the
questions asked, you would find that they really aren't that difficult.

As for new equipment sources, probably the most well known (but not
the only one) is Edson (which, if asked, will give you an equipment
list and price for your model sailboat), re. which see:
http://www.edsonmarine.com/sailboat/sailboat_toc.html

Re. the boat itself, you might want to look thought the Sailnet List
archives for comments by owners/users and see whether Practical Sailor
has reviewed the particular model you have in mind.

Arguably the most signficant element of your posting/query is less
what (if any) brand of steering wheel to install (or not), or any
element of sailing, as such, but rather that it suggests the
desirability of your reading and thinking carefully about the issues
raised (and, perhaps, the books reviewed in) the March 1, 2004 issue
of "The New Yorker" magazine re. choice-making:
http://www.newyorker.com/critics/art/?040301crbo_books


Read all the books? Great ide!!! - I'll do exactly that, when I get
time to do it. - - But why shouldn't I make use of the internet and get
answers to my immediate questions first, before I go further? For
example, what's involved in making such a conversion; does anyone have
experience in such a project, and what were their experience; and, are
there any kits that would simplify the job. In other words, if such a
project is not practicable, or if the costs are far more than the dollar
range I mentioned, why waste my time in reviewing the characteristics of
the boat (particularly since I have already sailed on similar Cals
several times.)

Jim