Help with Pearson 35

[jimsavenir]

Guys, finishing up a complete rebuild of the cockpit sole and its bullet proof. The original Edson wheel is cast and small so I want to upgrade.

Two questions, does anyone know what the spindle and nut sizes are?

The wheel had a bar and a geared wheel for a self steering system and not a Edson nut.

Second what is a good size? 32 inches that will not hit the sides but also be large enough to really use from both sides?

She is a 1968 Pearson 35 Hull 24

Thanks
Jim

[Stu Jackson]

Have you considered asking Edson?

Our Catalina 34 Mark I has a 32 inch wheel and it's just fine. The Mark II Catalina 34s went to a 42 inch wheel, not much difference.

Good luck, nice boat.

[jimsavenir]

Yeah, great idea. I've been surfing the web to get a new wheel!

TKS!!!!
Jim

[roverhi]

Before I dumped the wheel and went to tiller steering tried a variety of wheel sizes. Boat came with a 36" wheel. Nice to sit on the rail and steer and but made getting at anything in front of the wheel impossible without getting out of the cockpit and going at it from the front. A particular pain for raising the center board. Went from there to a 28" wheel. Access forward was great but long term steering was a pain with the very high forces needed to steer at higher sailing speeds. Ended up with a 32" wheel as a compromise. Gave better but not ideal access with better leverage to steer. Ultimate wheel size was no wheel at all and way way better.