Folding Wheel

[shanker]

I have an opportunity to put a 32" folding wheel on my 260. The larger wheel will help while steering from either side while sailing. When folded, it is 18" across. This will help when anchored etc... with space.

Without ever having seen one I have some questions. How long does it take to fold the wheel? Is it a cumbersome process? Currently, I remove my 28" wheel by removing the nut. This becomes a nuisance. Storing the wheel, losing the key etc..Right now my wheel is 13" from the centerline. The folding wheel will be 9". For me the two main points are 4" per side of more space and a more comfortable position to hold the wheel.

Any experience on a smaller boat and a folding wheel? Sounds like people who have them, love them. Can those who have one give their pros and cons. It is a lot of money and I want to be sure I make the right decision. I would love to hear any feedback.

Thank you,

 

[seadaddler]

Wheel

I have a large folding wheel on my H-36 and love it for sailing with a nice large wheel and it is easy to fold only a minute or 2 each side and it is great for allowing more room passing through when anchoring off and on thhe boat,all good that I see and nothing bad.
Nick

 

[LuzSD]

not cumbersome at all, you twist both sides until it is disengaged and then fold it in. Use the little bungee thingies of you want.

No cons from us, we LOVE it. I steer better and more comfortably sitting to the side, but its also comfortable from our stern seats and of course standing.
It is pricy but worth it to us. Love the covered comfortable leather on the wheel that does not slip, looks great too. Honestly there are no negatives ....oh, except at just the exact wrong spot if we open our port lazarette, it rubs the wheel..... no idea why but not a big deal. Maybe a down side would be that you need to remake or modify your canvas cover for your wheel and pedestal. That's it!

 

[Les]

I'm more your size with a Hunter 27 and I have the folding wheel. It is really nice, easy to fold up or open up and still, my X-5 autopilot fits it. I still have to walk on the cockpit seats to get by the wheel because I have a mid cockpit traveler. Still, I would have this wheel on my next boat should that happen. One nice thing for me is that when I fold the wheel up, it is much easier for me to put on the pedestal cover. Little things like that turn me on.

Also, the wheel is beautifully made, the leather very nice to touch. I've done my own leather wheels--this one is better done.

One point I haven't seen made here--when you finally get around to selling your boat the wheel will be a selling point. "The wheel will reel them in."

 

[Dave602]

Nothing more to add. They are great