Lewmar folding wheel on B361

[bshock]

Hi all,

I'm the new owner of a 2000 B361 in Sandusky, Ohio. I'm seriously considering switching out the stock 42" wheel and putting in a Lewmar folding 42" wheel.

The reason is there is very little clearance around the wheel, so a person really has to step up on the seat to get around the wheel.

I've never owned a boat this size (still own a Catalina 25 that is for sale), and I've never had a wheel. Has anyone done this switch and how difficult is it? Will the wheel direct from WM work without modification, or are there other parts I have to purchase? This is what WM's catalog has to say about the wheel. "Dual hub fits 1" Morse taper shaft and 1" parallel shaft"

In my research I've read there will likely be a small modification required to hook the new wheel up to the St4000 autopilot, but otherwise I guess I'm wondering if the B361 has a 1" Morse taper shaft or a 1" parallel shaft.

Thanks any and all for any help?

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wc...&langId=-1&searchKeyword=lewmar+folding+wheel

 

[suttonski]

Hi Bshock,
I have replaced my 42" wheel by a Lewmar 40" folding wheel and I only had to drill small holes in my Raymarine wheel autopilot. Very happy with the new wheel. My hub is taper but when I bought my Lewmar folding wheel from Binnacle and it came with both adapter.
Very nice improvement in the cockpit.

My 361 is a 2 cabin and I would like to install a Webasto, forced air, heater but I haven't figure out how to run the duck on the port side. Do you have heating on your 361?
Georges

 

[bshock]

Hi Georges, thanks for the information, it was very helpful.

Unfortunately I can't return the favor with regards to your question. My B361 has neither heating nor air conditioning. Good luck in your efforts though.

 

[Randylb]

If we are at anchor for any length of time I simply remove the wheel

 

[bshock]

We're going to do that in the short term, Randy. But where do you keep it? I'd be afraid I would get it off the steering column, lose my grip and it rolls into the briny deep. We are, however, going to try that for a while and see how that works for us. Otherwise we'll likely be getting the folding wheel.

 

[Randylb]

If we are anchored for more than a day I put it in the v berth. We use the aft as our main cabin otherwise it goes there. You can buy a rail mount that goes on the pulpit but for around $120 I'll just store it below.

 

[Randylb]

The only drawback is that at some point you may turn on your engine and have that odd sensation that something is missing. Then while everyone giggles you head below to retrieve the wheel. Not that I'd know how that felt.

Randy

 

[knot smart]

If we are at anchor for any length of time I simply remove the wheel

that's a great idea.. im the proud new owner of a 352 and im find myself walking on the cockpit seats constantly.. I have been looking at the folding wheel as well but at $1200 that will wait till next year..

 

[JK_Boston_Catalina310]

I don't have a B361, I have a Catalina 310 with the same issue. I looked at removing the wheel and my two biggest concerns with that plan was either loosing the wheel or the key over board and where to store the wheel.

I ended up picking up a folding wheel at the defender store for $450 as opposed to the normal $800 I see for the 32 inch wheels. But it only came with the tapered hub, not both hubs as marked. That was part of the season for the discount. So if anyone needs a tapered hub, PM me. If anyone has an unused straight hub, please let me know.

I don't know what area you are in but I have seen a 40" folding wheel on the Boston Craigslist and at the Marine Consignment shops (I think the one in RI or Fall River). Used is always a cheaper cost. I saved a ton of money shopping the marine consignment stores.

Good luck

 

[bshock]

Thanks all. Randy, that's a pretty funny story about starting up the engine without the wheel. Sounds like something I would do.

 

[DougM]

My Beneteau 323 has the Goiot wheel/pedestal thet allows the wheel to be rotated parallel to the keel. Its good for easing passage through the transom. Howevwr, the overall diameter is too small for my liking. The Goiot Wheel is easily removed by taking out the bolts in the hub. I would like to change it for a larger diameter if I could find one at a reasonable price.

I take the wheel off for winter storage, and one year the marina guys (who are really reliable), put the boat back in the water. The lead guy started the engine, and told the others to drop the lines so that he could move it. They obediently shoved him off. He put it into reverse, slowly backed out of the launch well and into the open lake. Only then did he realize that there was no wheel. It was still laying in the v berth. In subsequent years he was never allowed to forget it.

 

[bshock]

Great story Doug! I notice you're in Manistee. I love that town. My family has a house on a lake not too far from there, in Irons. I'm a Buckeye, but I love Michigan.

 

[bshock]

Well I ordered one (42") from WM. It should arrive Thursday or Friday, in time for my trip up to the boat on Saturday. Hopefully it's an easy install.

 

[bshock]

Hello again all, I just thought I'd follow up with the results of the folding wheel install. The actual wheel went on in about two minutes, with a 30 second break in the middle. I unscrewed the hub cover, and then removed a single nut with a crescent wrench (might have been 1/2 inch nut or more), and simply pulled the wheel toward me and viola, the steering was revealed!

Like Sutton's, my B361 wheel post is tapered, so it fit the wheel perfectly without having to switch out the parrellel-configuration hub that came with the wheel. The hardest part was putting the Autopilot back on, which wasn't hard at all.

So thanks all for your advice.

 

[Philip_Oceanis 361]

Hello again all, I just thought I'd follow up with the results of the folding wheel install. The actual wheel went on in about two minutes, with a 30 second break in the middle. I unscrewed the hub cover, and then removed a single nut with a crescent wrench (might have been 1/2 inch nut or more), and simply pulled the wheel toward me and viola, the steering was revealed!

Like Sutton's, my B361 wheel post is tapered, so it fit the wheel perfectly without having to switch out the parrellel-configuration hub that came with the wheel. The hardest part was putting the Autopilot back on, which wasn't hard at all.

So thanks all for your advice.

What???? No photos of your new toy????? (!)

 

[bshock]

Oops...here it is.