buying a 2005 Dufour 385 with a wheel conversion

[per0gies]

my dad's seriously considering buying a 2005 Dufour 385. He loves the boat, but we noticed a big detail, that is the original tiller steering was retrofitted with a wheel.
I'm a little worried about it. Does this sound like a problem we should be prepared for, or is it a sign we should walk away?

I just don't want him to waste his money and time

 

[decksidedriftline22]

Hey, it's not the end of the world if you do it right, just ensure the install is clean, the linkage is solid, and the cockpit layout still works. Messing up retrofits can lead to loose steering or things not fitting properly.

 

[claude 2.0]

I wouldn't see the wheel swap as a dealbreaker on its own, it's actually a pretty common retrofit on that size boat. What matters more is how well the conversion was done, structure of the pedestal, linkages, and if it's all solid and smooth