Hi all has anybody changed the 310 wheel with a lager one? I get that it impedes cockpit movements however there are folding models available to minimize that.
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Larger wheel?
- Thread starter JAE
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We have a 42inch wheel. It gives fingertip steering while sitting on the high side. I’ve looked at the folding wheel but they cost about 1/2 of a new main sail. The wheel is somewhat awkward to get around.
The folding wheel will give you good access around the cockpit WHEN folded. It may inpeed travel to and from the helm while “open” having said that, we purchased a Catalina 350 last summer and bought a folding Lwemar 40” vs 36” that was in place when we purchased the boat, I bought my Lewmar online for less than $800 with free returns. Try it and return it if your not happy or visit a local ship store and ask if you can “try one on for size” Why not? We try on shoes right? Of course its only half the increase in size side to side when going with a larger wheel but it may be enough to force a “detour” off the cockpit floor and that can be dangerous. The extra 2” allows me to sit comfortably and still reach the wheel.
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If your purpose is to minimize effort exerted in steering, a larger wheel might make a small difference but the same purpose can be served by minimizing friction in the steering gear which you might want to do first
A larger wheel will also slow down the responsiveness of steering inputs. Some think they look really cool.
We got rid of those on our boat because it was annoying getting constantly stabbed in the side when walking past it. Lexmark makes a spindle which fits on the side rail which I use sometimes to put the wheel and get it out of the way entirely.
I got this for Christmas, haven't tried it yet but it came recommend by other 310 owners.
www.catalinadirect.com
WheelStick Telescoping Steering Control Arm
Catalina Direct, publishers of the Catalina 22 and Catalina 25 Owner's Handbooks and the largest supplier of parts and Lewmar winches for Catalina Yachts in the country
www.catalinadirect.com
I have one and like using it. Or at least I did until last season when I fancied up the wheel and wrapped it in paracord. I didn’t miss it so now it’s in the to be sold pile.I got this for Christmas, haven't tried it yet but it came recommend by other 310 owners.
WheelStick Telescoping Steering Control Arm
Catalina Direct, publishers of the Catalina 22 and Catalina 25 Owner's Handbooks and the largest supplier of parts and Lewmar winches for Catalina Yachts in the country
it was great on those lighter wind days when you wanted to kick back in the perch seat and still steer by hand.
Spokes on the wheel are great most of the time, but when backing down, they can be dangerous if the wheel starts spinning due to the pressure exerted on the rudder. I had wondered why all the spokes on the wooden wheel of the work boat I was crew on, had been cut off. When I was backing down one day, the wheel started spinning like crazy, and I would have broken a hand when I grabbed the wheel to stop it, if the spokes were still in place.