22" Wheel How Luxurious!

[mike]

Having to replace my 18" wheel due to the previously mentioned problem of the wheel being slightly lopsided (and interfering with the operation of my autopilot), I decided to try a 22" wheel this time. Wow, what a difference! The 18" wheel is nice, but the 22" is just absolutely wonderful. I was a little hesitant, worried about whether or not it would obstruct the cockpit too much, but it's not a problem. Steering is nearly effortless, the wheel is easier to reach from around the cockpit, and it looks great.

--Mike

[richandlori]

Thanks for your feedback Mike, I gets me thinking about upsizing my standard wheel that came with my 26M.

Rich

[Moe]

Looking forward to pictures on the Mods page, especially one showing clearance around it.

--
Moe

[mike]

Looking forward to pictures on the Mods page, especially one showing clearance around it.

Will do. While, of course, clearance is much less than the stock wheel, I don't have any trouble getting past (and I'm not exactly petit).

--Mike

[26Xsam]

The 22" wheel has been about the best sailing Mod. I've made. What a differance. I don't seem to over correct as much. That small wheel is way to fast for me. It has also made it much eazer to reach when seated on the side seats.

Going around it is a small price to pay. I am now able to drive standing up with a smile Verry Nice! This Mod goes right along with removal of helm seat big smile

Sam

[Sloop John B]

An 22 inch wheel sounds grand but I can't get around the stock 15 without scraping my anatomy.

Someone suggested removal of the helm seat. I think I should cut away some of the cockpit benching which would surround such a good thing and put a bar stool (that swivels up and down) with a lower ring for the heel of my shoes to rest on, just behind this big wheel so that I can swivel it up to see where I'm going as the bow tilts up when I'm roaring across the sea.

Yes, where's my saw? Find my catalogs.

[Tripp Gal]

Just to be a smartie pants.
Now that's a wheel! I couldn't resist, sorry. It's my mom in the photos and there's at least 2.5 feet of the wheel submerged into the wheel well.

In all seriousness, you will notice a huge difference in the handling the larger the wheel is, and less fight when the winds are up and weather helm may occur.

[waternwaves]

Being in the "athletic" size department myself, and barely been able to reach the little wheel when I am leaning way off to the side. it doesnt seem to be the right size for either sitting or sailing.

there are times I wish for the larger wheel, ButI dont want to break anything else yet, SoI'll wait till the transom mods are complete for the larger wheel, rudder brackets and mounts.

I notice that Edson makes removeable wheels, and hangers for temporarily mounting their steering wheels out of the way on railings when moored or at the dock, and I will say, removing the factory wheel without a wheel puller was quite a task. And now a wheel puller is standard equipment in the boat tool bag.

[Dimitri-2000X-Tampa]

Just to be a smartie pants.
Now that's a wheel! I couldn't resist, sorry. It's my mom in the photos and there's at least 2.5 feet of the wheel submerged into the wheel well.

In all seriousness, you will notice a huge difference in the handling the larger the wheel is, and less fight when the winds are up and weather helm may occur.

Hey Tripp Gal, now its obvious why you know so much....you were bred to race!

Big wheels are nice on boats like that...but the wheel size should be proportional to rudder effort which should be proportional to boat size.

Our light little Macs don't really have much effort in the steering required....so, even the stock little wheel doesn't work too badly. But I'm sure the big wheel looks much cooler! Also, its possible that a smaller wheel may be more intuitive when our boats are skimming along at powerboat speeds...but I can't be sure about that one since I've never tried it.

[Tripp Gal]

while it's true you can get a wheel too big for the rudders, most boats benefit from the next size up in wheels. For most cruising boats they put smaller wheels in so that there is more cockpit room. That old timeless trade-off.

There is an old saying "It ain't a wheel til you have to cut 'glass" It always makes me smile.

[Tony D-26X_SusieQ]

That 22 inch wheel only makes a 2 inch difference in cockpit space. Shouldn't cause a lot of problems to get around even in the mac's cramped spaces.

[Chip Hindes]

That 22 inch wheel only makes a 2 inch difference in cockpit space. Shouldn't cause a lot of problems to get around even in the mac's cramped spaces.

Don't quite get the math. The 22" wheel is 7" larger than the stock 15", that's 3.5" clearance reduction per side.

That being said, I installed my new 22" wheel last week. Haven't had a chance to sail with it yet. I'm 6', 220 lbs, but in checking it out on the trailer, I find the reduction "significant but not prohibitive".

I believe the key to getting past is the grab bar. Grab it and swing around the wheel as you go past. You can't use the wheel to balance yourself; if you do you'll break something. If you don't have the grab bar you'll have to climb up on the seat to get past or sit down and slide past. I'll try to get some pictures but unfortunately with the reduction in daylight it's dark by the time I get home. Maybe Saturday or Sunday.

I had some question as to whether 22" would be too big, so I made a 22" mock up out of cardboard and taped it to the stock wheel. That's how I developed the "grab and swing" method of getting past, and it convinced me 22" would be OK. I recommend the same to anyone who is trying to decide.

Can't wait to try it sailing.

[norbert]

congrats to all who decided to go with the larger wheel. i have it since 4 years now and it is such a difference in handling and steering sensitivity. chip, you're probably right, the grab bar is very useful with lthe 22' wheel. i never thought about it, but i make it exactly as you describe to get around there.

[mike]

That 22 inch wheel only makes a 2 inch difference in cockpit space. Shouldn't cause a lot of problems to get around even in the mac's cramped spaces.

Don't quite get the math. The 22" wheel is 7" larger than the stock 15", that's 3.5" clearance reduction per side.

I think he was referring to my having gone from an 18" to a 22".

--Mike

[Chip Hindes]

Thanks, Norbert. You were the one who convinced me to check out the way larger wheel when everyone else seemed to be insisting that I wouldn't be able to get past anything larger than 18".