Leather wheel cover

[stephen_h]

Thinking about adding a leather or suede cover to our wheel but was wondering if they hold water
and if so are they uncomfortable in the wet?

Also would I need a canvas cover to protect it from the elements or do they last well?

 

[Pavalijo]

Ours is more than 6 years old (suspect around 9), has no canvas cover and is still in good nick. It doesn’t go slimy in the wet if that’s what you were thinking. I will replace it if it does ever deteriorate. The boat was in Scotland until we left to head South 3 years ago - reaching North Spain last year. I am not sure how they would fare in a Mediterranean sun but we will have a Bimini by then!

 

[All_at_Sea]

A boon to long distance sailing if helming for long periods. Great grip in both dry and wet. Always dries out quickly and looks good. Ours was in the med for most of its life and apart form the stitching going the leather has held up a treat. No need to cover it.

 

[pvb]

They don't hold water particularly, but they add a nice feel to the wheel and make it warmer to handle and give better grip. Suede is better in my opinion. If you add a cover, put a layer of closed-cell foam under it; this will enhance the feel and warmth. You don't need to put a canvas cover on the wheel, just treat it periodically with Boracol to keep algae and mould at bay. Some people use 303 Aerospace Protectant to guard against UV, but this might be overkill. You can buy DIY leather cover kits - it's a fairly quick and easy job, and quite satisfying to do it yourself.

 

[Graham376]

Ours was already on the boat when purchased around 16 years ago, 12 years exposure to hot sun with no cover. Suede is fine but stitching starting to fail.

 

[stephen_h]

Thanks for the info.

Will have a look at kits...

 

[Old Harry]

Thanks for the info.

Will have a look at kits...

My previous Pro done cover lasted 16 years the new one was a kit i fitted from a chap in Cornwall ( will find details later ) easy to fit, mine is 4ft dia took a morning

 

[Mr Cassandra]

24 years on my First ,a few stitches open that's all.

 

[duncan99210]

These people do good covers (they also make our gig club oar leathers....) https://www.boatleather.co.uk/buy-online. The leather is not suede leather (that’d be too tender and prone to rot and deterioration) but it feels like suede to the hand. We’ve got a cover that been on the boat since it was new (19 years old now) and in the Med for the last 10 years. The leather shows no sign so deterioration but we’ve replaced the stitching once about 5 years ago. Lovely feel in comparison to bare metal and much kinder on the hands.

 

[Norman_E]

My boat in Turkey has suede leather wheel covers, which are excellent both for grip and preventing the stainless wheel burning your hands when the sun is low enough to shine on the wheels despite the bimini. Make sure that UV safe thread is used to stitch the covers otherwise it will fail long before the leather. When I leave the boat for long periods I remove the wheels and put them below. If the boat needs to be moved in the marina either the marineros can push it around with their ribs or they can use the emergency tiller.

 

[prv]

Some kits include a thin layer of closed-cell foam to apply under the leather. I have this and think the result is nicer than the plain leather I've used on other boats, which itself is obviously much nicer than plain steel.

Pete

 

[stephen_h]

Some kits include a thin layer of closed-cell foam to apply under the leather. I have this and think the result is nicer than the plain leather I've used on other boats, which itself is obviously much nicer than plain steel.

Pete

Haven't found any kits with the closed-cell foam so any pointers to who supplys these appreciated

 

[prv]

Haven't found any kits with the closed-cell foam so any pointers to who supplys these appreciated

I've searched my old emails and apparently in 2013 I bought http://boatleather.com/product/boatleather-wheel-covers/ , 4-5oz blue-grey suede, with the pre-sewn and foam options. I also got one of their leather centre-markers in blue to match the boat's canvaswork. Sewing the cover in place took a couple of evenings at home and it still looks pretty much as-new today.

Pete

 

[Graham376]

...... we’ve replaced the stitching once about 5 years ago. Lovely feel in comparison to bare metal and much kinder on the hands.

Obviously UV protected but, any tips as to suitable thread?

 

[tudorsailor]

I bought a kit from SeaDogs who's website is https://www.boatleather.co.uk/

Came complete with thread and needles

Looks lovely

TudorSailor

 

[tross]

Hi
Regarding the ongoing care ' I used something like this :

https://www.redpostequestrian.co.uk...onditioner-suedenubuck-care-spray--150ml.aspx

to keep the leather on mine waterproofed and supple

 

[Rafiki]

We got ours from:

http://www.clydemarineleather.co.uk/products/wheel-covers/
But didn't use their reccomended sewing stitch instead found a nicer looking stitch ( in my opinion) on the internet. Took an afternoon to do. There was a bit left over so used that to do the top few inches of the spoke which should be at the top when the rudder is dead centre.
Well worth doing in my view.

 

[Old Harry]

I bought a kit from SeaDogs who's website is https://www.boatleather.co.uk/

Came complete with thread and needles

Looks lovely

TudorSailor

Yes thats where i got mine from

 

[pvb]

Haven't found any kits with the closed-cell foam so any pointers to who supplys these appreciated

I bought my kit from boatleather.com in the States. Excellent kit, closed cell foam inner layer, easy to fit, great sewing instructions.

 

[Quandary]

I wus told (by someone selling me a new boat) that the best wheel leather for durability and toughness was elkhide, in Finland they get it by skinning reindeer which must be bad news for Rudolph. It was grey and rough textured but did seem very tough but I only kept the boat for 9 years so not able to comment on longevity.
Because I had rejected the offer of a carbon wheel which I thought too pretentious for an old duffer who was mainly cruising they managed to send the boat without the wheel, I was lent a 4' Lewmar (Bainbridge?) one for a month while the correct size wheel came from Jefa, the grey reversed elkhide on the 5' Jefa wheel looked a lot tougher than the brown suede like stuff on the temporary one.