Has anyone any experience or opinions about the Lewmar folding helm? We saw them all over the Annapolis boat show and think they might free up some space in our cockpit. But before I buy I am interested in any opinions regarding ease of instalation and performance.
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Another question
It looks like a pretty good idea if it frees up some "walk around" space near the wheel, but I'd like to know how such a wheel connects to the autopilots which bolt on to the spokes of the wheel. If any one knows the answer to that one I'd be interested to hear the answer. Mike
It looks like a pretty good idea if it frees up some "walk around" space near the wheel, but I'd like to know how such a wheel connects to the autopilots which bolt on to the spokes of the wheel. If any one knows the answer to that one I'd be interested to hear the answer. Mike
Great
I am just starting my third year with mine and I still love it. Mine came installed on my new 36 so I did not have to install it. It appears there is nothing special about the auto pilot mount and hub looks just like the center any a standard wheel. The only problem is the captain has slipped the motor into reverse to leave the doc to discover he forgot to fold out and lock the wheel. Thirty seconds later everything is as it should be. Really works well when backed in with the walk through transom.
I am just starting my third year with mine and I still love it. Mine came installed on my new 36 so I did not have to install it. It appears there is nothing special about the auto pilot mount and hub looks just like the center any a standard wheel. The only problem is the captain has slipped the motor into reverse to leave the doc to discover he forgot to fold out and lock the wheel. Thirty seconds later everything is as it should be. Really works well when backed in with the walk through transom.
i'm of the opposite thought - i have a 36 inch wheel, and the pleasure i get from sitting on the rail and being able to steer the boat, while looking ahead and up, far outweighs the inconvenience of sometimes squeezing around the helm.
A New Alternative
Last week I spoke with Edson at the Defender Sale in CT. They had a wheel that they are experimenting with. It is slightly flattened on the top (about 8" on a 36" wheel, which makes it lower to handle) but the bottom half is still rounded. The top spokes are shorter than the lower spokes. It really catches your eye when you notice it. To get by, instead of folding the wheel, one would simply turn the wheel until the flat side comes to the side that you want to walk around, when there will now be no wheel in the way. The wheel already comes leather-bound to hide the cuts and the weld that were made to "flatten" the wheel. My concern here is that you NOT attempt to turn the wheel while you are underway. This was the first show that this was shown at. And even the sales rep was a bit taken aback by the shape/design.
Last week I spoke with Edson at the Defender Sale in CT. They had a wheel that they are experimenting with. It is slightly flattened on the top (about 8" on a 36" wheel, which makes it lower to handle) but the bottom half is still rounded. The top spokes are shorter than the lower spokes. It really catches your eye when you notice it. To get by, instead of folding the wheel, one would simply turn the wheel until the flat side comes to the side that you want to walk around, when there will now be no wheel in the way. The wheel already comes leather-bound to hide the cuts and the weld that were made to "flatten" the wheel. My concern here is that you NOT attempt to turn the wheel while you are underway. This was the first show that this was shown at. And even the sales rep was a bit taken aback by the shape/design.
Rick! That's an outrageous amount to spend!
When you take your wheel off, just insure that the helm is centered. And if the key isn't straight-up then go below, loosen your steering and re-index the key. Then it doesn't fall out. No Velcro needed. Total cost; free. Love your battery setup too.
When you take your wheel off, just insure that the helm is centered. And if the key isn't straight-up then go below, loosen your steering and re-index the key. Then it doesn't fall out. No Velcro needed. Total cost; free. Love your battery setup too.
Just got one on Java
Had the folding wheel two weeks and with the Raymarine 4000 autopilot. Installing the autopilot was easy as 3.14159 First Mate likes it also, definitely frees up walk around space. Jim S/V Java
Had the folding wheel two weeks and with the Raymarine 4000 autopilot. Installing the autopilot was easy as 3.14159 First Mate likes it also, definitely frees up walk around space. Jim S/V Java
Put some epoxy on the key
That way when you remove the wheel, you do not have to center the shaft nor use velcro and the key will not fall off. Free and easy.
That way when you remove the wheel, you do not have to center the shaft nor use velcro and the key will not fall off. Free and easy.
lewmar folding wheel
just put one on WWW.Escape-It's great! went to a 36" wheel from the stock, too small, 32" and now I can easily steer from the side seats on our 356. really opens up the cockpit and works fine with the wheel pilot
just put one on WWW.Escape-It's great! went to a 36" wheel from the stock, too small, 32" and now I can easily steer from the side seats on our 356. really opens up the cockpit and works fine with the wheel pilot
CAREFUL with the epoxy
You don't want to glue the wheel onto the shaft. I took my key out and ground a slight indentation in the sides with a Dremel tool, put it in the slot, and staked it place with a punch. I also carry a spare key.
You don't want to glue the wheel onto the shaft. I took my key out and ground a slight indentation in the sides with a Dremel tool, put it in the slot, and staked it place with a punch. I also carry a spare key.
looks like it should be okay with autohelm
The autohelm 4000 attaches fairly close to the axis of the wheel and my impression is that it should not be a problem to use with the folding wheel. The short spokes on the folding wheel are still about 80% of their length when folded.
The autohelm 4000 attaches fairly close to the axis of the wheel and my impression is that it should not be a problem to use with the folding wheel. The short spokes on the folding wheel are still about 80% of their length when folded.
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