Looking for a larger steering wheel...

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damoses1

damoses1

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Mar 25, 2010
64
Cal 29 Lake Saint Clair - SCS
My Cal 29 has a 24" steering wheel and I am interested in getting a larger 32" wheel. That is the biggest that will fit.

I would love to pick one up used. Anyone have any recommendations as to getting a good price on one?

Any brands or styles you would or would not recommend?
 
Ken13559

Ken13559

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Oct 29, 2005
2,366
Hunter Marine 326 303 Singapore
If you could, get a Lewmar Folding Steering Wheel. It folds away when you don't need it and free up space so making it easier for you to move about the cockpit area.
 
Warren Milberg

Warren Milberg

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Dec 1, 1999
2,391
Hunter 28.5 Chesapeake Bay
Try calling Bacon's in Annapolis, Md. 1-410-263-4880. They often have used wheels in stock. Might be pricey to ship, however.
 
Alex Dare

Alex Dare

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Apr 15, 2009
302
C&C 30 Annapolis
new wheel

Keep in mind, these are not a universal fit type thing. You'll need to make sure that the wheel you're looking at will fit your pedestal shaft. They come in different diameters and configurations. Some are straight and some are tapered. (Yours is probably a straight shaft Merriman or Edson but you'll need to verify and measure.)
 
C

COOL

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Feb 16, 2009
118
Islander 30 mkII Downtown Long Beach
Or you could convert the boat back to a tiller,
and it will be better all around.
 
rardiH36

rardiH36

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Jun 21, 2007
2,118
Hunter Cherubini 36_80-82 Sausalito / San Francisco Bay
One further thought: Your existing wheel/pedestal cover probably won't be large enough to fit over a larger wheel ... so you might need to budget a few extra $'s to the project.
 
FastOlson

FastOlson

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Apr 8, 2010
2,238
Ericson Yachts Olson 34 28400 Portland OR
COOL said:
Or you could convert the boat back to a tiller,
and it will be better all around.
Click to expand
Plus One on that idea.
That boat was designed as a tiller boat. Better a hiking stick and tiller to let you sit incomfort on either side.
Cost of an AP is quite a bit lower as well.

LB
 
damoses1

damoses1

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Mar 25, 2010
64
Cal 29 Lake Saint Clair - SCS
1. The wheel has a straight shaft and is not tapered.
2. My old boat was an O'day 22 and my wife never quite learned how to work the tiller (turn the tiller left to make the boat go right). There's no way she would let me switch the wheel out for a tiller.
3. I don't have a wheel/pedestal cover, so the larger wheel won't be a problem.
4. Ken, I'm not sure if a folding wheel is in my price range, but thanks for the suggestion.
5. Thanks for the phone number, Warren. I'll give them a try on my day off.

--Thanks for all the comments, everyone.
 
B

Benny17441

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May 24, 2004
7,215
CC 30 South Florida
A larger wheel provides more leverage making steering easier especially in strong seas. It also allows for more subtle steering adjusments without killing off much speed. Another advantage is to be able to sit to the low or high side and turn the wheel from there. On the down side you need hands like an ape to seat behind a large wheel and it is a pain in the butt to have to climb around it to move around the cockpit. They do look cool as they mimic an offshore racing yacht and some consider that a plus. I accompanied a life long sailor once to purchase a brand spanking new boat and the first thing he asked the salesperson was if he could have the model he was looking at with a smaller wheel.
 
damoses1

damoses1

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Mar 25, 2010
64
Cal 29 Lake Saint Clair - SCS
I was able to pick one up new on ebay for $195 shipped. Thanks for the comments everyone.
 
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