Hey Scott, Have noted you didn't get any replies on list, so wanted to share with you our experience, We installed the Unihelm in our Caribe 11'9" tender and I have mixed emotions about it. As with everything boating, it's a trade-off.... For me, the Unihelm has made a huge difference -- steering from a wheel rather than a tiller is *much* easier for me (John was concerned about my comfort level in driving the dinghy). It steers like my car -- I can do this, (on a good day :)) and makes the transition from living aland that much easier to living aboard. Could I have learned the tiller? -- of course, and so can Marian, (if she doesn't already know it) so perhaps at this point, the steering issue is a non-issue for you guys? Secondly, John fishes, crabs, and shrimps out of our dinghy, so he really likes having a seat with a comfortable backrest to fish out of. Fishing off the tube would be very uncomfortable, and spending several hours out could lead to extreme Advil usage. Again, as with the big boat, what are you planning to do with the dinghy?? Simply going from boat to shore changes everything. Space -- we found the Unihelm really did take up more space than we anticipated, so when we loaded the dive tanks, BC's, weights, etc. for us to dive the PNW, it was very cramped. We're hoping that as we head south, it will work better due to less gear -- we'll see, Weight -- we were able to take 4 adults to shore in our dinghy quite comfortably, but 2 had to ride on the tubes (which we felt was within the "acceptable" range of Okay, but could not plane with our 20hp Honda. Well, it all worked out ok for our usage, but realize that it wouldn't for everyone. We basically were trying to maximize space while trying to minimize weight, so I think we did that within our needs and perimeters, and so are happy. Bottom line -- the Unihelm is more space than a motor tiller and less weight than center helm dinghy, but again, you have to weigh what your usage will be and decide from that. Yeah, I know.....nothing is *ever* easy! BTW, we have heard and read that you really need wheels on your dinghy in Mexico to pull it up on shore -- I know Lats & Atts has a regular ad for them (the wheels), so if you want a website, let me know -- we're planning on having them added in SoCal this fall before we continue on..... Hope this helps and doesn't just muddy the waters...... Kathy Mystic Moon - Selene 5323 In a message dated 7/30/2007 9:11:18 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time, scottebulger@gmail.com writes: I have the opportunity to install a Unihelm in my tender if I make a decision quickly. The Unihelm will enable me to sit and face forward, steering and operating the throttle/gears with a console rather than sitting sideways on the tube of my RIB. The downside is adding weight and taking up room in the tender. My question is do people commonly opt for operating their tender from the tube or is a console that much of a safety improvement that it's the norm? I'm a bit concerned about dragging the tender up on a beach and keeping it as simple as possible. I tend to overcomplicate things J Thanks, Scott Bulger, Alanui, N40II, Seattle WA _______________________________________________ http://lists.samurai.com/mailman/listinfo/passagemaking-under-power To unsubscribe send email to passagemaking-under-power-request@lists.samurai.com with the word UNSUBSCRIBE and nothing else in the subject or body of the message. Passagemaking Under Power and PUP are trademarks of Water World Productions, formerly known as Trawler World Productions. ************************************** Get a sneak peek of the all-new AOL at http://discover.aol.com/memed/aolcom30tour