I think my Hunter 31 1984 has a 42 inch wheel Correct? So what I want to do is get a folding wheel and perhaps get the 40 inch. Any opinions? Advantages / dis-advantages?
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Does SZE it matter
- Thread starter Keith13315
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One of the answers to this is "personal preference." Some folks like larger wheels 'cuz they can sit on the coaming and steer. Others like smaller ones to be able to get around more easily. This choice is up to you, not us. You could make a simple carboard mockup and see what works for you.
I would check the reach from the side decks to the wheel. We actually have a large and small wheel that we have swapped between depending on the type of sailing we are doing. I personally have not noticed all that much difference in 36 - 42 inch changes, so you should be fine with a folding 40. Just make sure (if you have a wheel based autopilot) that the gear ring fits the folding spoke profile.
Good point, Dan, some of the skippers have reported issues with having the wheel hub for APs not fit on the Lewmar folding wheel spokes.
Yes that is a good point. I will check it out. Does Lewmar have a web site all I get is the places to buy so no real specs are there.
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I would contact Defender, they have them in stock, on their website and their customer service is fantastic. Lewmar's site is www.lewmar.com.
Thanks you know I must have fat fingered the address because I did get into their site and I did send a question. Yes defender has great customer service.
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Keith
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Keith
Our 30 Catalina 1988 had a 28" wheel, we put a 32 or 34" folding wheel on (sorry,can't recall now the size) and love it but can't imagine that your 31'1984 would have that big a wheel standard! 42 is huge! Our folding allows me to sit port or starboard and comfortably steer. Folding wheel is wonderful.Keith13315 said:
agree about the expense, but once we started pricing all wheels, folding or not, if we wanted a bigger wheel, it was pricy. We could have gotten a regular big wheel and been very happy with it.....but the folding is quite awesome and comes padded already and if you add the cover to a new wheel, you are up there in costs.
Wheel size & stepping around
Please help me out here: Why do folks almost always "complain" about having to step on the cockpit seat to get behind the wheel? I hear this so much, and personally can't figure out what is such an "issue." It's one step up and one step down, I find it to be good exercise. And I don't have a big enough boat with a wide enough stern to be able to "walk past it."
I have a wheel and a traveler suspended a foot in the air to walk up over and around. I much prefer this to a tiller jabbing me in the back. Lol.
If I had seat cushions made out of an expensive material I would think walking on them might be rather a nuisance or possibly a safety issue should you get your feet tangled up in them.
My yacht was designed as an any highway trailer sailor so the beam is a compact 8'. A narrow beam with a helm means up and over, no other option unless the already smallish cockpit had less seating.
If I had a folding wheel, I would still be stepping over my traveler so I will leave it factory original.
If I had seat cushions made out of an expensive material I would think walking on them might be rather a nuisance or possibly a safety issue should you get your feet tangled up in them.
My yacht was designed as an any highway trailer sailor so the beam is a compact 8'. A narrow beam with a helm means up and over, no other option unless the already smallish cockpit had less seating.
If I had a folding wheel, I would still be stepping over my traveler so I will leave it factory original.
Stu Jackson said:
OK I was at the boat this weekend it is a 36, inch wheel not 42just thought I would say that before someone else did.
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