Do i need such a massive wheel?

[scoobert]

The steering wheel in my yacht has to be no less then 36"
The issue is, its too big to walk past without squeezing by.
Would a 24" wheel work just fine? or do i need it this large?

[Bash]

Scoob. Buddy. That is NOT a massive wheel.

On my boat, crew would laugh at such a wheel. Women would refuse to sleep with me, even my wife. I would be dropped from the roll of my yacht club, were I to sport such a tiny wheel.

If you can't squeeze by that wheel, it's time to shed a few pounds.

(And, judging by the picture, it's time to bleach your teak. Start with oxalic acid. If that doesn't work, you're screwed.)

((Is that a gas can behind the cockpit? DUDE!!))

[markpierce]

How long are your arms?

[scoobert]

Originally Posted by markpierce

How long are your arms?

30 inches or so. lol?

[Rakuflames]

Originally Posted by scoobert

The steering wheel in my yacht has to be no less then 36"
The issue is, its too big to walk past without squeezing by.
Would a 24" wheel work just fine? or do i need it this large?

Depends on the boat. Have you sailed her yet? If not, then you don't know if you need that big of a wheel. The wheel on my boat was also so big that it made it very hard to get in and out.

However, it was also attached to a very efficient steering system, and in fact was super-sensitive. I traded wheels with another club owner who had a bigger boat but smaller wheel. I still have sensitive steering and I can get around much easier.

If it were me (and it's not), I would sail her with that wheel before deciding to use a smaller one.

[scoobert]

Originally Posted by Rakuflames

Depends on the boat. Have you sailed her yet? If not, then you don't know if you need that big of a wheel. The wheel on my boat was also so big that it made it very hard to get in and out.

However, it was also attached to a very efficient steering system, and in fact was super-sensitive. I traded wheels with another club owner who had a bigger boat but smaller wheel. I still have sensitive steering and I can get around much easier.

If it were me (and it's not), I would sail her with that wheel before deciding to use a smaller one.

i have sailed it, mostly with my feet in the spokes, or with autopilot as i was single handing her. i could have held it with my pinky.

[Stu Jackson]

The larger wheel allows you to sit further outboard and still steer.

There's also the "just put one foot up on the cockpit seat" approach... I say that becauswe we have a T cockpit, but I still hop up and down around it, and consider it regular therapy instead of a chore.

[Celestialsailor]

Well Scoob...I have a 24"...You know what they say about guys with big wheels...they have little.......never mind

[AbaftAndBaffled]

You don't need a smaller wheel... you need a bigger cockpit.

[scoobert]

Originally Posted by AbaftAndBaffled

You don't need a smaller wheel... you need a bigger cockpit.

if i had a bigger cockpit i would not have 3 staterooms.

[markpierce]

Originally Posted by markpierce

How long are your arms?

Like Stu, I sit well to the side of the wheel. Gives me a better view of the sails' trim.

[rgscpat]

If you have money, you might be able to find a wheel that has a couple of folding segments.

[scoobert]

i was thinking something like this:
Edson Teak Rim Steering Wheel | eBay

[ozskipper]

Two points for a big wheel.

1 It gives you more leverage on the rudder
2 But more importantly , it allows you to stand or sit further to side when docking and sailing along. You will notice that large racers have two smaller wheels for this very reason

[scoobert]

Originally Posted by ozskipper

Two points for a big wheel.

1 It gives you more leverage on the rudder
2 But more importantly , it allows you to stand or sit further to side when docking and sailing along. You will notice that large racers have two smaller wheels for this very reason

i understand the first one, but with my cockpit i could reach a 6" wheel, lol.
only time i seem to need power is when backing at high speed. then even with the big wheel i have to be careful to make small corrections.