"Jim Cate" wrote in message
...


wrote:

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.

It sounds like you don't recognise helpful suggestions when you get them.




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.


Wrong. You posted your *e*nquiry because you were hoping that people would
tell you that your preferred course of action was correct.

Unfortunately, the idea of converting a 30 ft boat to wheel steering, is of
such limited appeal, that you are unlikely to find much support among
sailors. This is because a tiller is much better than a wheel. The only
reason that bigger (35ft+) boats have wheels is that tillers become
impossible to use.



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 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

I have a gut feeling that you haven't sailed very much. If my assumption is
correct, then you should consider using the boat for a year before worrying
about the conversion.



snip
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.

That surprises me.




- 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.

If the answers are so easy, then why can't you answer the questions
yourself?


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?

Because you are very unlikely to get answers that agree with your
preconceptions.

As you only want to hear ideas that concur with your own, I think that you
would be better off using Google, than asking on Usenet. With Google, you
can choose which answers you want to read. With Usenet, you are going to
have to deal with real opinions. If you cannot accept these without
complaining, then you are not really suited to social interaction.


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.)

I doubt that anybody here has made such a conversion. Most people here are
relatively experienced, and they will view a wheel as a necessary evil on
larger boats.



Regards


Donal
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