Wheel Size

[Sailorman375]

What are the disadvantages of going with a smaller diameter wheel to allow easier movement going forward. Current wheel is difficult to get around. Boat is O'day 28.

[daddle]

One cannot steer while seated on the gunnels.

[callmecrazy]

A smaller wheel is more "work", the bigger it is the less movement it needs for the same results. It's probably not a big deal on a 28 footer though.

If you can afford it, you might be interested on of these folding wheels.

[callmecrazy]

Originally Posted by daddle

One cannot steer while seated on the gunnels.

thats true... I can't reach my wheel from there as it is, and it seems pretty important to me. It's one of the main reasons I'm considering reverting the boat back to a tiller.

[CDunc]

When designing I try to keep the wheel sized so that:
1. it fits in the area designated for it,
2. you can get around it when moving from the helm seat forward,
3. the amount of force required to turn it is below 60 pounds in normal sailing conditions.
My personal boat is a 34 ft Tartan with a Tiller and I would not trade to a wheel for anything. I love the feedback, and the simplicity of it.

[MarkJ]

Its a good idea. I'd like one thats about 100mm smaller in diameter.
You could always keep the big wheel for racing.

[ozskipper]

Hmm, My bugbear is that they are made of the smallest possible diameter tubes. it would be nice if the top quadrent of sailboat wheels where thicker. I always seem to end up with cramps in the fingers after long hours at the helm. Just my on but off topic rant of the day.

As far as a 28footer with a wheel is concerned, dont get me started lol.

Cheers
Oz

[CDunc]

Oz,

I wonder if you couldnt make a custom wrap out of leather or suede with the portion a the top made to accommodate a pad wrap around the wheel tubes?

[ozskipper]

Originally Posted by CDunc

Oz,

I wonder if you couldnt make a custom wrap out of leather or suede with the portion a the top made to accommodate a pad wrap around the wheel tubes?

A 4mm racing braid seems to help somewhat- but its ugly of course.


Cheers
Oz