double helms?!

[navahoIII]

Dumb question, and it is not about our dear little boat -- the daysailer-- rather, it's about those cruising sailboats (racers too, I guess) that have not one but TWO wheels.

Cam some one explain that? I'm sure there's a valid reason...but I just don't like it

[holstein]

You will have better visibility when heeled if you are using the windward helm.

This configuration also opens the cockpit on large cruisers.

[algonquin]

I believe it is primarily used on racers not cruisers. I agree with holstein on the visibility issue. Brad

[GreenLake]

I can't help the feeling that some of it is also "fashion". Wider sterns of course drive the need for having more than one location to steer from.

[navahoIII]

Thanks for the responses.

How much such an arrangement actually benefits 'visibility' is probably debatable. To me it looks simply over the top, or, as some would say, 'precious'... more of a "must have" status symbol than anything. Goodness, how did the older boats ever survive without them?!

"Syncronized steering anyone?"