There is periodic interest in this subject. The rudder and drop plate fitted to the earlier Seal 28 particularly is not as effective as some would like. I'm not sure whether this is due to it's position rather too far forward (in order to get the shaft and tiller in the cockpit) or maybe the rudder works in disturbed water due to the gap between it and the keel. Certainly, the Seal 850 has a transom hung rudder and several Seal 28 owners have modified their boats in this way. Wheel steering then becomes a desireable option, since organising a tiller over the aft cabin is not easy.
Even with the standard rudder, the space in the cockpit is dominated by the tiller. My crew always complain about it! My preference is for tiller steering though. I like to 'feel' the activity of the boat as it sails and most wheel steering set-ups diminish this, especially the hydraulic systems. It would be nice to just be able to put the steering brake on so I could pop below for a minute!
Wheel steering
Neil Sinclair
Seal 28/27
'Andiamo of Exe'
Neil Sinclair
Seal 28/27
'Andiamo of Exe'