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Steering wheel size

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Interlude View Drop Down
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    Posted: 03 January 2018 at 22:24
My 2004 vintage 342 has wheel steering, with a 40" diameter wheel. As the crew's and my knees age, dashing around the boat is becoming more interesting, and I am looking at twin wheel instalations with envy (but don't like the associated beam at the stern), and wondering why I didn't go with a tiller (I imagine Johan might have something to say here).

A folding wheel is expensive and not useful when underway, so not an option for this problem.

An option is so fit a smaller wheel - a lot cheaper than changing the boat.  I am thinking the 32" Lewmar wheel will give about 7" clearance compared to the current 3" clearance at the side, allowing me to move around without getting up to the cockpit seat.  The additional force needed to steer the boat should not be a problem, as the current wheel size is more than adequate.

Any thoughts or experience from members would be welcome.

Does anyone know of a second hand market for Lewmar parts - the current wheel is in perfect condition, having been covered for its entire life?
Interlude 342#241
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iemand View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote iemand Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 January 2018 at 07:21
Hello,
have you thought about the jefa swinging pedestal? Just an idea but maybe quite expensive!

http://www.jefa.com/steering/products/cable/WP900/wp900.htm

You could also think about a small wheel with a tiller extension to sail comfortable on the windward side.

A regular tiller is of course perfect for steering and in the harbour but you have to have in mind that the autopilots are not very good (depending on what you have now!

BR Thomas
Hanse 312 MJ 2004 - Hanse 370e MJ 2007
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samuel View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote samuel Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 January 2018 at 09:33
Think laterally
Get a local engineer to cut a flat section on one side of the wheel  & weld a piece of 25mm stainless steel tube back in place so that it is the full diameter top and bottom but flat on the sides. When you want to go forward you just steer straight for a second or two &  pass by. When you stand up it is the same height as before. If you decide you do not like it get him to weld the two arcs back into place again
Alternatively you could get him to cut the flat on the bottom of the wheel & when you want to go forward then you quickly flip the wheel 90 degrees , pass through then flip it back again. That way you can cut a bit more & have more room. but keep the offcut in case you want to sell the boat & put it back
In port you can tie a short line to it & walk freely back & forth. in effect you have something like a 3/4 circle


Edited by samuel - 04 January 2018 at 09:43
Daydream Believer- Hanse 311- No GBR9917T- Bradwell Essex
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Johan Hackman Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 January 2018 at 14:17
Originally posted by Interlude Interlude wrote:

...and wondering why I didn't go with a tiller (I imagine Johan might have something to say here).



My experience with a wheel-steered boat is from my friend's Dufour 34. Although in some situations standing behind the wheel is comfortable for the actual steering, and likewise in some situations sitting on the coaming, in order to do other things than just steering a tiller is a great option in my opinion. From where I sit I can reach the tiller with one hand and both the main and jib sheets with the other. On my friend's boat I felt a bit stuck behind the wheel. I think that manifasted itself when we were racing and he raced with a crew while I was sailing single-handed!

I think converting a wheel-steered boat into tiller-steered would require a longer rudder shaft.

Johan

Edited by Johan Hackman - 04 January 2018 at 14:18
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Interlude View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Interlude Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 October 2018 at 03:17
To complete the story, I finally purchased a 80 cm diameter from Jefa, and can report that the hub is identical to the Lewmar wheel originally fitted to the boat.  I believe the key phrase is "1inch Morse taper". Now have 7" clearance, which allows this 71 year old to move easily around the wheel without having to step up to the cockpit seats. The smaller wheel is fine for steering, looking at a lot of similar size yachts in the marina, many have comparable wheel sizes.

The 60ish year old crew members are amused, but their day will come. 

I was unable to source the 32" wheel from Lewmar, but as usual Jefa were very responsive. If anyone wants a 40" diameter wheel, I have one for a good price :-)
Interlude 342#241
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Fendant Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 October 2018 at 09:48
"The 60ish year old crew members are amused, but their day will come. " SmileThumbs Up

Frank
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