Not much to add, but that's not stopped me from commenting here up 'til now...
Back in the 90's when we bought our used O-34, we were really looking for a tiller model. At the time the only other sister ship we'd been on was in Portland and had a tiller with a ball bearing system for the rudder post. All of our prior boats were tiller-steered. Simpler, and even an AP install would be simpler.
Then we bought this boat, after along search, and started thinking about a conversion. Local yard pointed out that the factory had cut off the post so it tops out down inside that screw-off cover. I guess we'd have to have a new extension welded on or glued with a piece of filler metal or carbon fiber. Hmmm....
This is based on the original rudder and post system being perfect enough to justify the change/addition.
Otherwise we'd have to probably go with a new slightly-longer rudder with full height post. Actually, with new "trick" bearings, this whole changeover would be pretty cool. I could imagine several thousand $ going into it, too! :0
We will probably not make the change after all these years with the wheel.
Keep us all posted, though.
Loren