It is different. I still have mixed feelings about it but this is original optional equipment and frees the cockpit while under way ( but not at the dock). I am racer and used to the tiller and know how the wheel (specially small) numbs the feelings... but I got this Ericson 26 to cruise with my family so it serves the purpose well .
In my not so unbiased opinion....
The whole wheel vs. tiller thing sometimes evokes strong opinions on each side. And, as you observe, there are pros and cons. I first began sailing on tiller-steered dinghies, and so perhaps having "imprinted" on a tiller set me on that path for good. I've only owned one boat that was wheel steered and have sailed on plenty of others, and I've never liked the wheel, all other things being equal.
Particularly on a 26-foot boat, wheel steering really makes little sense overall. While it is true that a larger wheel is better than a smaller one, the narrowness of the E26 cockpit, carried all the way to the stern, most likely precludes you from upsizing the wheel by a whole lot.
As someone who single hands my boat a good deal of the time, a wheel would not be nearly as comfortable. With the tiller I'm seated close to the cabin bulkhead, giving me easy and unobstructed access to the traveler lines, sheet winches, halyard and reef lines, and so forth. But I can also see your point about eliminating the sweep of the tiller when it comes to sailing with guests.
I did not observe a wheel autopilot in your picture. Does the boat have some kind of autopilot? One other nice thing about a tiller is that you can buy a robust tiller autopilot, such as a Pelagic, for a reasonable price.
My guess is that, if you wanted to, you could convert the boat back to tiller steering with perhaps only moderate fuss. Rudercraft could provide
a tiller for your boat--note that the E25+ and the E26-2 should be identical--or you could roll your own. You'd have a few holes to fill and I suppose you'd have to source the cap fitting that goes on top of the rudder post, to which the tiller attaches. And perhaps also the bearing that bolts to the cockpit floor, through which the rudder post protrudes. You could likely sell the current steering system for more than you'd spend on the retrofit.
One definite positive of your wheel setup, though, is the engine throttle and shift controls, which you would need to relocated. I will admit that your setup is MUCH BETTER than what I have to put up with, i.e., having the throttle lever mounted in the cockpit. You would probably also then go with a bulkhead-mounted compass, which is not too big of a deal.
Probably what makes the most sense is to just use what you've got for a while and see what you think. Perhaps you'll come to like the wheel and find it's advantages when sailing with a crowd outweigh the drawbacks. But if not, and you find yourself pining for your tiller-steered Olson 25 days, you could always convert it over.
E26-2 that spent its whole life in freshwater. It has a westerbeke 10hp and wheel steering.
