Wheel Swap?

[windlipper]

I have a Lewmar 1 metre wheel (as new) on my 2005 Bavaria 30. I want to downsize to give me more room in the cockpit, I suppose about an 800mm would be ideal.
Easy enough to buy a new one, apart from the expense!
It would be ideal if I could find anyone who wants to "upsize" so we could do a swap.
Anyone interested?

 

[WindermereColvic]

Might be very interested, but i think our exsisting wheel is smaller than 800mm, will mesure up next week and let you know, if you wouldnt mind pm ing me your email adress, otherwise will post back here. Just to make absolutly sure, are you refering to diameter or radius? Matt

 

[ADLS]

What about boss size?

I changed my steering system from a chain/wire to hydraulic and the old wheel didn't fit the tapered boss, so had to fork out for a new wheel as well.

 

[windlipper]

I understand (not taken it off to look) it's 1" tapered.
Cheers

 

[sarabande]

don't forget you will be reducing your applied power on the steering system by 20%. Is the gearing going to be changed as well ?

 

[windlipper]

Hadn't considered that reduction in applied power may be an issue for the sort of sailing that I do. Bavaria didn't seem too concerned when I discussed the possibility of size reduction with them. Need to consider the effect on the Auto helm though.

 

[lenseman]

A straight wheel change with no change in anything to the gearing will not effect the auto-steering as it acts, or should act, on the steering gear 'after' the wheel.

This reduction should only effect the applied power (torque) required manually when helming at the conn.

You will get stronger muscles though. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[windlipper]

Thanks I didn't think it would be a major issue and the exercise will do me good!

 

[Norman_E]

If you only need the extra room when in harbour, why not just detach the wheel and stow it on the pushpit when not sailing? If you are tall and steer standing up, you might find a smaller wheel a bit low for comfort.

 

[windlipper]

It's a bit of a pain when sailing as well because you have to climb to get behind the wheel!

 

[Norman_E]

That is a price you pay for having wheel steering on a boat that size. There is probably no ideal solution, but you could investigate the idea of having your wheel modified by an engineer so that part of the rim can be folded, with provision to lock it in the normal extended position. The Lewmar folding wheels are pretty expensive. I am not convinced that both sides of a wheel need to fold, after all you only go past it on one side at a time.

 

[Ceejay]

I hadn't realised how expensive Lewmar wheels were until now. Mine is a year old and the welds on one of the spokes have given way, also the locking boss thread is bent so it screws in wonky.
Not worth the money in my opinion, certainly not a quality product.
CJ

 

[William_H]

This question reminds me of a boat type I very much admired at the end of the Sydney to Hobert race 2 years ago. Called the Sydney 38 a very nice looking boat. About 4 in the race. However the wheel was huge.It must have been near 1.8 metres in diameter such that the cockpit seats needed a slot in them to allow the wheel space sideways. And yes it would be difficult to move from in front to behind. It would be very nice to sail with however being easy to steer from windward or leeward side.
Everyone to their own taste olewill