Larger Wheel at the Helm

[FLembo18]

I've been thinking about replacing my current stock wheel with a 18" SS Destroyer wheel, please advise. I'm quite sure that some have you have done this mod, I'd really like to see pic's of your MAC cockpit area (HELM) w/ 18 " WHEEL and FULL pic's of your beautiful MAC too . i'd like to get a good visual of what a 18 " larger wheel looks like....20" wheel photo's would be great to look at also. I can't begin to tell all of you nice people how much I enjoy looking at the photo's of your MAC'S and this informative forum. It makes my day especially through these dreary winter months in Northeastern Pennsylvania. YOU MAY SEND your MAC PHOTO'S/VIDEO's TO MY EMAIL: Thanks to all whom reply !!

[kmclemore]

Flembo, I encourage you to search both the forum and the Mods area for 'larger wheel'... you'll find plenty of hits.

Here's one from the Mods area:

http://www.macgregorsailors.com/modt/index.php?view=443

and here are several previous conversations...

http://www.macgregorsailors.com/forum/v ... 39&start=0

http://www.macgregorsailors.com/forum/v ... 42&start=0

http://www.macgregorsailors.com/forum/v ... 26&start=0

[Matt19020]

Flembo18,
I put a 28" wheel on but If I were to do it again I would use a 26" for better tank clearence and walk around room... check the below link, mid page for pictures
http://macgregorsailors.com/forum/viewt ... eel#p78824

[c130king]

I put a 28" wheel on but If I were to do it again I would use a 26" for better tank clearence and walk around room

Matt,

I was searching YouTube last night and found this video.

This is you isn't it? I think it is kind of spooky that I was just looking at this last night and wondering how large your wheel was. And when you heeled over I thought you were knocked down at first...but then your Mac was right back up.

Cheers,
Jim

[Matt19020]

JIm that is me.. people are always asking what happens when it goes over too far. I was sheeted in tight with about 16 knots of wind. I tried to let it round up on on its own just to shoot what I could with the video. Look for more this summer. I picked up a new camera that may make it a little easier to shoot.

[c130king]

That's my next goal. Got some pics this past Christmas. Now I want to get some good video of my Mac in action...from onboard...and from a chase boat.

But back to subject. I have almost pulled the trigger a few times on the 18" wheel from KH but I held off. I am a little put-off by the $80 plus $25 for shipping. If I am going to spend that much I may go even bigger. Since I predominantly single-hand a big wheel is not a big problem to me.

Jim

[kmclemore]

[covet]
I want Ranier's wheel...
[/covet]



Discussion here...

http://www.macgregorsailors.com/forum/v ... 56#p144856

[Night Sailor]

A year or so ago I thought about a larger wheel also, as an aid to single handing and watching for traffic. I cut out a piece of carboard in a 20" circle, put a hole in the middle the size of the Xs hub and placed it over the existing wheel. Yes I could reach the wheel easily while leaning out to windward for forward visibility, but I realized I would have to get up and down over the seats to go forward from the helm. No room to pass by the larger size wheel. Hmmm. I cut the card board down to 18". Damn. Same thing. Not enough room to stand upright and still move forward. So I left it with the original wheel for ease of movement and safety. Getting up and down the seats in a small boat is not the safest, quickest method of going forward for someone my size, age.

[delevi]

I would recommend a 20" for the That's the largest size without blocking the fuel tank openings yet still provides ample room to walk around. I used to have an 18" but got the 20. Still have the 18" If anyone is interested, I would sell it really cheap.

20" with autopilot:

[John Christian]

I upgraded to the 18" and wish I would have gone with the 20". The difference in the 18 is hardly noticeable.

[FLembo18]

Yo Matt !!
I happened across the video that c130King mentioned too. Jeez... I thought you were done in for, that was a close one indeed.

Getting back to original post: I'm gonna keep the stock wheel for now. Thanks to all for great pic's & posts.

Frank L.

[J.Teixeira]

I have a 18 Edson

It's the perfect size



Jose

[DaveB]

Delevi, I just bought a S1 Raymarine autopilot. Is yours the same? and if so did you have a problem with instilation? I just received it yesterday and looks like the lower unit connecting to the pedistall is centered right on my RMP gauge and the connectin is for a round Edison pedistall. How did you get around the installation?
I also will need a larger wheel and thought about the 18 inch but may be to small for the unit to fit on the wheel and able to get fingers around it. I have a X.
Thanks, Dave

I would recommend a 20" for the That's the largest size without blocking the fuel tank openings yet still provides ample room to walk around. I used to have an 18" but got the 20. Still have the 18" If anyone is interested, I would sell it really cheap.

20" with autopilot:

[Boblee]

Should have read all the threads before posting, put this on the autopilot thread.

I left the standard wheel there and really don't have a problem or at least enough that I don't think about it while using.
Unless you have a real issue I would leave the original wheel and try before buying a bigger one which further impedes movement in the cockpit.

I thought it would be a problem but am really glad I left it now, it looks tight for fingers and would be easier for reaching wheel from all directions with a bigger wheel but IMHO not worth losing access past.

[MSN-Travelers]

...

But back to subject. I have almost pulled the trigger a few times on the 18" wheel from KH but I held off. I am a little put-off by the $80 plus $25 for shipping. If I am going to spend that much I may go even bigger. Since I predominantly single-hand a big wheel is not a big problem to me.

Jim

Col, I single-hand quite a bit too. I put on the 18" wheel wish I had gone with the 20".

Paul