Dual Helms

[Cheechako]

As I scan the boat ads in magazines, all those beautiful new boats have dual wheels at the aft end of the boat. Who needs it? Are the manufacturers trying to emmulate flat out racing boats to get buyers interested or what? If I had two helms, I would definitely want one of them up near the companionway under the dodger. Who wants to ride back there in the spray and cold? Am I nuts?

[David M]

Being better able to see to leeward and the jib telltales can be helpful at times racing or not.

[Vasco]

Beneteau and others have adopted dual wheels even on their small (comparative term) 40 footer. I think they do this so everyone can walk right aboard from the swim platform since they have split backstays. Unfortunately the engine controls are usually on the wrong side when going alongside.

Saw an actual case in Charleston where a 473 hit a buoy because the skipper and the helmsman who was giving him lessons decided to take different sides of the buoy.

[S/V Alchemy]

That's ugly. Why wouldn't the controls be duplicated? I'm installing a second throttle shifter at my aft sailing helm to match the one in the pilothouse...a different kind of "dual helm" but the same solution to the problem of "THE BOAT'S IN THE WAY OF MY VIEW!"

[Victory49]

Isn't it obvious, these are so the husband and wife can each have their own wheel...

[markpierce]

Although not obvious in this photo, large "dinghys" are frequently equipped with dual wheels so the helmsman can position himeself to observe the sails.

[Bash]

the greater the beam, the more they make sense.

[Cheechako]

i understand it for racing machines. I could see fine on my 21 ft wide cat from the helm. I'll take one wheel and a joystik at the companionway!

[Jimbo485]

It is marketing BS from our POV. 24' beam, 1 outside helm, 1 inside helm, easy peasy, good protection, huge beam, bla bla. Logic says 2 helms should be distributed longitudinally, not transversally.

YMMV!

[Cheechako]

Originally Posted by Jimbo485

It is marketing BS from our POV. 24' beam, 1 outside helm, 1 inside helm, easy peasy, good protection, huge beam, bla bla. Logic says 2 helms should be distributed longitudinally, not transversally.

YMMV!

couldn't agree more...

[SaltyMonkey]

i dunno i am kinda liken' 'em...

and i am strangely attracted to dual rudders too

[tropicalescape]

only benefit I can see is that it allows one to sit to starboard or port and steer without having to move around a lot...im not very bright so I would like someone to tell me why and also why some boats have offset companionway hatchs and are according to some new system unsafe..anyone know what i am reffering to...DVC

[perchance]

The reason they started putting dual helms on boats is because in this new age of political correctness it was deemed only fair that the Admiral not only have her own head but also her own wheel.

[DDabs]

I like what J-Boats does, how they have one huge wheel that goes underneath the deck... so sexy.

[ozskipper]

I prefer to steer at the rail not in the middle of the cockpit. Dual wheels make it much easier to do this. The alternative is one huge wheel half recessed into the cockpit floor and removing most of the walkway to the transom. Yuck.. Two smaller wheels make sense to me.

But on a cruising boat, I understand the reasons for a second-forward wheel to keep out of the weather.