Larger Steering Wheel

Anonymous 121765 · Jul 31, 2011

John,

In your question lies the answer. The boat was designed for the smaller wheel. The cockpit's ergonomics, and clearances was for the original diameter wheel to maximize clearance space in a limited sized cockpit.

Years ago I thought about a larger wheel but abandoned the idea when I ran into a similar interference with the bench seat opening.

Look at the interference area, take a few photos and discuss it with local people who have knowledge. Let them help you to decide pal........

CR

mortyd · Jul 31, 2011

my boat came with a 36 inch destroyer wheel and has a cutout in the lazarette so it can be opened. i think the large wheel is great since i can sit on the side deck, steer with one hand on the wheel, see the jenny teltales and have almost total forward vision.

LuzSD · Jul 31, 2011

John, we have a '88 30Catalina and we did go the folding wheel route and LOVE IT!! I would not go back; it has made so much difference. Yes, expensive but one of those upgrades that not only makes a huge difference in sailing but it also looks great! I drive for the most part, seated on the port deck and with the larger wheel I can comfortably steer and see what’s going on. It really has made a huge difference in our enjoyment behind the wheel. I would encourage you to save your pennies and invest in this, it will be one you'll not regret.

mortyd · Aug 1, 2011

sorry, i don't have a photo of the cutout, but i isn't large - just a deep corner - and shouldn't be hard do get done by a skilled person with the proper tools, and the large wheel does make it a little harder to go aft, but this is small potatoes. as another poster has mentioned the wheel changes the whole concept of how to handle boat, plus of course you can always stand behind the wheel like for mooring.

mortyd · Aug 1, 2011

by the way, i think the destroyer wheel was a not uncommon factory option so you might ask catalina or edson for advice.

Barnacle Bill · Aug 1, 2011

Just put the largest wheel on that you can and yet allows you to open the cockpit lockers. You might also not be able to go around the helm (wheel) without stepping up on the cockpit seat, but that is something you will have to decide on. If you are looking for used wheels, I have a few.

LuzSD · Aug 1, 2011

Folding give you larger size +room to move

you can see in this picture that though we have a large wheel, there is tons of space in the stern and fairly easy walking back and forth from behind wheel.. and in this picture, the wheel got turned sideways when cover was removed. You can almost not even see the wheel there while it is folded.

Windy City · Aug 1, 2011

John in Edmonds said:
On my 1989 C-30, I want to replace my 28 inch diameter steering wheel with a larger one, perhaps a 36 inch diameter. However the port locker lid cannot be raised up/opened if there is a larger wheel in place. Has anyone upgraded their steering wheel and solved the locker lid problem? I have considered a folding wheel but too expensive.

I upgraded to a 34" wheel. I shimmed the wheel towards the stern by ~1/4" and it barely clears. It does rub on my cockpit cushions which I plan to have a slot added soon. Love the bigger wheel for reach and leverage. Got the wheel at Go2 Marine I believe. It was a deal at half the Edson price and has performed well.

rbmcintire · Aug 2, 2011

I saw a new product in Sail Magazine from Forespar:
http://www.forespar.com/products/boat-steering-arm.shtml
Kind of a "why didn't somebody think of this before" thing that's a quick connect tiller extension for a wheel. It gets you steering outboard relatively cheaply, it seems.

mortyd · Aug 2, 2011

notice that the boat shown already has a large wheel. my guess is this device would be somewhat more unwieldly on a small wheel.

LuzSD · Aug 2, 2011

mortyd said:
notice that the boat shown already has a large wheel. my guess is this device would be somewhat more unwieldly on a small wheel.

Boy, I agree, that looks just weird. I need the feel of what's going on when I am holding the wheel and this just would not cut it for me. Although there are times when I can just remove my hands all together and she just sails straight and happy....... so, I guess under light air and very casual circumstances one could use this but I still think it is too weird. Would not be interested at all. And, good point, on a small wheel, it would need be completely different right?

Stu Jackson · Aug 2, 2011

Seems to me that if you're sitting on the coaming to the side with a small wheel it would be helpful. The picture with the guy sitting behind the wheel makes no sense, but that's only me thinking sailboat builders have not come a long way when figuring out cockpit ergonomics. First they took out the hump in the helmsman's seat and made it flat. Then they added high binnacle guards so thoughtless yachtsmen could mount huge radar displays so they'd need a step ladder to see over...maybe that's why they made the seats flat...

mortyd · Aug 3, 2011

well trimmed sails should let the boat just about steer hands off. what happens when you take your hands off this device and it just drops? do you then go groping to pick it up?

Larger Steering Wheel

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