CONTINUOUSWAVE

Q1: can the orientation of the steering wheel on a c.1985 13-footer be changed from mounted on the dashboard front to mounted on the dashboard top?

Q2: is the "hook-up" on the steering wheel behind the dashboard different [for a top mounting steering wheel than for a front mounting steering wheel]?

Q3: if the "hook-up on the steering wheel behind the dashboard is the same [for a top mounting steering wheel as for a front mounting steering wheel] can [the steering wheel be installed on either] the front or on the top of the dashboard?

ASIDE
I just bought a 1985 13-footer.

In the REFERENCE section of the website:

https://continuousWave.com/whaler/reference

there is a long article on the 13-foot hull

https://continuousWave.com/whaler/reference/13/

In that article you can see several different models of 13-foot hulls with steering wheels:

https://continuousWave.com/whaler/refer ... odels.html

Generally on the SPORT 13 and similar models the steering wheel mounting is on the top of the small console but angled back toward the helmsman.

You give no details of your steering system, but generally by c.1985 the steering system would be using a mechanical cable. The steering mechanism and cable has no sense of its orientation, so as long there is room to mount the helm component of the steering system to the console, you should not have any particular problem in mounting it as you like. You should consult the manufacturer of the particular steering system you have on your particular boat for advice specific to that unspecified steering system you want to modify.

If you plan to change the mounting from however it is presently mounted, there likely will be a large diameter hole left in the wood of the console. You should consider how you plan to handle that large hole once you move the helm.