Wooden Steering Wheel for small sailboat

[PyrateDog]

I am presently looking for a small wooden steering wheel for a homemade sailboat. It is a Puddle Duck Sailboat 8' in length with a 16' mast. It would be great if I could find a wheel that is 12" to 15". I am planning on bidding on one tonight on Ebay but it is sort of large. This would have to be a working wheel not a wall decoration. An antique one would be even better. Does anyone have one of these or know where I can find one?
Fairwinds me maties,
PyrateDog

[Ukeluthier]

Small spoked traditional wheels used to be common on launches and workboats, but the really small ones were usually bronze with wooden grips. I've never seen all-wood spoked wheels that small.

Assuming you'd want the grips to be 4" long or so, that doesn't leave much of a hub on a 12" wheel.

[Cheechako]

an 8 ft boat with a wheel? haha. How about one of those hot rod wood rimmed wheels? not the right style I suppose.

[PyrateDog]

Originally Posted by Ukeluthier

Small spoked traditional wheels used to be common on launches and workboats, but the really small ones were usually bronze with wooden grips. I've never seen all-wood spoked wheels that small.

Assuming you'd want the grips to be 4" long or so, that doesn't leave much of a hub on a 12" wheel.

I have seen the smaller ones on ebay and amazon, but they are always wall decorations. I am bidding on one tonight that is 22" so I can go bigger if necessary.

[PyrateDog]

Originally Posted by Cheechako

an 8 ft boat with a wheel? haha. How about one of those hot rod wood rimmed wheels? not the right style I suppose.

I know it is kind of crazy. But you know us pyrates. Ha Ha!!!. I used to have a 22" Catalina, sold her and built this small wooden could not stand being without a ship. When I had the Catalina I always dreamed of a wooden wheel. So now that I have actually built this one I want a wooden wheel on her. I know it will take some jury rigging, but think that it can be done.