In late '95, I ordered a new boat.  The one option labored over was wheel steering.  The option cost an extra ten boat units.  Previously owned was a Hobie Cat that steered with stick, and  a Catalina 22 with tiller.  Some cruising had been done on a Catalina 30 with wheel.  The boat was chosen and intended primarily as a coastal cruiser, with plans to spend up to a month at a time on the boat.  For this reason and because I'd enjoyed the wheel on the C30, I juggled a decision about wheel or not.

During this time of indecision, my dealer was as they often are, anxious to get an order placed. Following my normal decision process, if not well convinced, then don't,  I decided in favor of the tiller.    My dealer called me back not long after I informed him of my decision with news that a boat exactly like I wanted except having the wheel was nearing completion... and that it could be had for the same cost as ordering and waiting for a tiller boat.  As I had ridden the decision fence and fairly narrowly fell one way, the offer was accepted for the wheel equipped boat.

The dealer didn't offer the why of the cost break... and I didn't ask.  It may have been that he needed immediate cash flow, or that Catalina had offered an incentive on this boat.  One thought that occurred to me... was delivery cost.  Perhaps a truck was scheduled close by that had an empty space.  Whatever, I ended up with a wheel.

Primary Purpose - A wheel's primary purpose is to provide more leverage than can be had with a tiller, hence why they are more often seen on larger boats than a 25 footer.  Because of the oversized rudder on the 250, a wheel could be a good choice to ease the helm task but unfortunately, the poor steering ratio the Edson small boat wheel system provides doesn't fulfill this primary purpose.

Intuitive - The wheel does allow new helmspersons an easier task.  I don't however consider this a big deal... as most people can grasp a tiller in a short time. 

Cockpit Space - A Wheel actually makes the cockpit more friendly for crew.  The crew has full range of all the area ahead of the wheel without concern for a tiller.  However, the trade off is thats its not altogether friendly to the helmsperson.  Getting around and behind the wheel is more difficult by far than taking the tiller in hand.  It also takes using a hiking stick out of the equation.  On the C250, more especially later models with the stern seats, the backstay bridle is very close and restrictive.  Some wheel owners offer that they do a considerable amount of helming from beside the wheel.  One area the wheel shines is while using the outboard.  Perched on the stern seat, with the tiller handle vertical, the start button, kill switch, throttle and shift lever are right at hand.  Quite frankly, I've really not been attracted toward pedestal mounted controls... they need to be no simpler than they are now.

Exercise - The single most redeeming value of the wheel was unanticipated.  When cruising, the wheel goes a very long way in making the boat more comfortable in that it provides the crew with much needed and restorative exercise while standing at the helm, otherwise, there is far too much sitting on a sailboat.  It seems like a long paragraph is necessary to fully portray this value...but its been said.

Less Simple - The wheel is more complex by far than a tiller.  Its hardware simple adds more weight, maintenance, and possibilities for breaking.

Cost More - The wheel normally cost an extra grand.  It requires some maintenance.  In the case of the Edson small boat steering system on the C250, there was a design problem with the cable which led to failures, excess play and excess drag.  The cost of Edson provided upgrades is half the original cost.  A wheel pilot is also about twice as expensive compared to a tiller pilot.

Single Handing - The wheel is some detriment to single handing especially on a cabin top winch equipped boat like the C250.  This can be overcome to some measure by swivel cam cleats for the jib sheets in light to moderate air.  Coaming winches will solve most of those struggles...again, at extra cost.

The Edson Small Boat Steering Systems - Small boats generally use flexible sheathed cables for steering linkage.  These cables are susceptible to drag and play, and in the case at least of the push/pull first design... failures of the cable.

Amenities of the Wheel - Having a wheel provides some extras... The wheel guard serves as a great and very often used handhold, place to install instruments, anchor for a cockpit table, etc.  A wheelpilot is probably easier to use than the tiller pilot.  Having a binnacle compass and instruments at the wheel avoids the problems of bulkhead instruments.  The compass and instruments are easier to see and the crew is not blocking them.  One big issue not often thought about is that the best seats in the house are the sloped backs of the cabin bulkhead.   Those seats are often ruined by mounting compass and instruments.  

Other - Some may feel that the wheel is an investment, giving the boat more value or making the boat easier to sell.  Some may view it as providing big boat feel or being esthetically pleasing. For some, it may simply fit an image that seems important.

Current thoughts -  Since writing the previous, the design and construction of an open wire steering conversion for the 250 that replaces the Edson flex cables for a system similar to larger sailboats has changed some perspective.  The conversion drastically changes the effort required on the helm giving a conversion equipped wheel model an effortless helm my four year old grandaughter has no problems handling.

Auto Pilots - There have been enough problems reported on tiller pilots to lead me to conclude that wheel pilots may be more robust.  I've had no problems with a seven year old wheel pilot and its seen a lot of use.

Personal -  My situation (one that had chosen not to get a wheel but ended up with it) offers a fair critique.  I'm glad to have it... because I primarily cruise and have discovered its value to making the boat more comfortable for extended periods aboard. 

I hope these comments help others with their choice.