20" vs 18" wheel on the 26M

[popI]

I read somewhere that the 20" might not fit between the benches. It doesn't look that tight to me though. Anybody got a picture of either the 18 or 20 inch wheel mounted on the 26M. Anybody tried the 20? Thanks

[Divecoz]

You will find numerous threads on this subject and no doubt pictures too as I recall. The ability to "get around in the cockpit " is limited at best and your going to want to do just that.... sail your boat awhile before you decide to give up that small wheel

[delevi]

I love my 20" wheel. Never liked the small stock wheel. It fits just fine between the benches and you can open them to access the fuel tanks clearing the wheel completely with an inch or two to spare.

Leon

[RocketsCrew]

I installed a 20" wheel this year. I like the look and feel of it much better than the small one. It fits fine and I don't notice any big loss in moving around the cockpit and in fact it makes it a little easier to single hand when sitting forward of the pedestal, Ian

[Sloop John B]

Anyone looking for a good deal on a new unused 24 inch wheel, PM me. This sucker is just too big.

[Highlander]

20" wheel is just fine still lots of room unless you weigh in at #500 then it dont matter what size wheel you have here's a pic of mine during A/P installion so it is a bit messy with wiring & such
http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee20 ... 0013-1.jpg

J

[School House Steve]

Here is the finished install of my SmartPilot X-5 auto helm with the new 18 inch six spoke destroyer wheel. I was able to get it connected to the garmin GPS mounted on top of the pedestal. Sea trials were the week end before last and every thing worked. Kind of spooky using the GPS pointer to pick a way point then pushing a few buttons and the boat just starts steering to way point all by its self. While the wheel was off I removed the plexi-glass front of the pedestal and replaced it and the access cover with Aluminum Diamond Plate which greatly improved the looks. Only problem with the larger wheel is the throttle control can't be pulled back all the way, but a slight relocation should fix that.



Steve