[C320-list] Folding Steering Wheel

[JJ Morrison]

I have the 40" Lewmar folding wheel on my boat. I would have gone with the 42" but Lewmar was having problems with it. I can just reach the 40" wheel from the side seats.JohnM1999#574

> Date: Sun, 21 Jun 2015 09:36:58 -0400
> From: schwartz781 at optonline.net
> To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Folding Steering Wheel
> 
> Ahoy.....Having an autopilot is great! This is my first boat to have 
> one, in retrospect, I should have had one on all my previous ones......I 
> had thought of myself as an old time sailor, trimming sails to hold 
> heading to leave the helm for short times, or troubling my mate to put 
> her book down and take helm. I still use paper charts without a moving 
> map display....(Ive been looking, shopping for,them though )...I still 
> think the 36 in wheel would be ok.....sorry I thought they made a 
> 38....Joe    
> 
> 
> On Sat, Jun 20, 2015 at 07:01 AM, swampcreek42 wrote:
> 
> >
> >      Think I like the idea of a smaller wheel but the closest  size 
> > down is a 36" which might be too small. We don't have an autopilot yet 
> > but that's a possibility in the future so I imagine the 40" might be 
> > the only option. 
> > Bruce Hunter Nauti Time #719 
> >
> > Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4G LTE smartphone
> >
> > -------- Original message --------
> > From: Elizabeth Schwartz  Date: 06/19/2015  1:03 PM  (GMT-05:00) To: 
> > C320-List at Catalina320.com Cc: "C320-List at Catalina320.com"  Subject: 
> > Re: [C320-list] Folding Steering Wheel
> > Ahoy.....40 inch folding wheel was the first upgrade I made to the 
> > boat. We back into a slip.....move around the wheel alot....in 
> > retrospect....I would get the 38 inch wheel.....I have no trouble 
> > reaching an inch beyond the 40 when sitting on the coaming...an extra 
> > inch less to move around would be nice....when folded...usually one 
> > side..we leave the top of the wheel outboard a wee bit. Initially with 
> > it straight, we would hit the lower hinge with our legs.....Joe n 
> > Beth...#245
> >
> >
> > On Fri, Jun 19, 2015 at 10:04 AM, Brian/Carol McLamb wrote:
> >
> >> I also made this improvement.  Have had it for two years now and 
> >> still love
> >> it!  Agree with Dean about the convenience and steering 
> >> possibilities. My
> >> autopilot connection adapted very well from the standard to the 
> >> folding.  I
> >> believe it is an Raymarine 4000, but have had it so long I am not 
> >> certain
> >> without reading the brochure!  Hope you enjoy the upgrade despite the
> >> price.  After a few times of "lazerette diving" with the wheel folded 
> >> you
> >> will wonder why you waited so long.
> >> Brian; s/v Serenity #1075
> >>
> >> On Fri, Jun 19, 2015 at 9:38 AM, Dean Vermeire  wrote:
> >>
> >>> Hi Bruce,
> >>>
> >>> I recently upgraded to the Lewmar 40" folding wheel.  The upgrade is 
> >>> easy,
> >>> but you need to make sure you have the straight/parallel hub on the 
> >>> wheel.
> >>> You can order the wheel with both hubs (the Morris taper hub comes
> >>> standard).
> >>>
> >>> On Moonstruck II (#847) the stock wheel, which was leather-wrapped, 
> >>> was
> >>> getting nicked by the port settee whenever it was opened or closed. 
> >>> The
> >>> Lewmar wheel is swept back enough that that is no longer an issue. 
> >>> It is
> >>> easier to get around, even when not folded.
> >>>
> >>> The only problem that I ran into was with the mounting of the 
> >>> autohelm
> >>> (Raymarine ST4000).  The spokes on the Lewmar wheel are thicker 
> >>> (larger
> >>> diameter) than the spokes on the standard wheel. Also, as mentioned 
> >>> before,
> >>> they are swept back a bit.  So, if you have the wheel autopilot, you 
> >>> need a
> >>> different set of mounting brackets that are larger diameter and 
> >>> deeper.
> >>> Defender sells sets of mounting brackets of all sizes.  However, one 
> >>> set is
> >>> actually a set of all sizes for one spoke.  So, I needed three sets. 
> >>> That
> >>> adds up a bit, and you are buying a bunch of brackets when you can 
> >>> only use
> >>> one from each set.  You may be able to find brackets elsewhere, such 
> >>> as
> >>> eBay, for less.
> >>>
> >>> That having been said, the wheel is great!  The 40" is what you 
> >>> want,
> >>> especially if you like to sit on the high or low side, rather than 
> >>> behind
> >>> the wheel.  It has a great feel to it.
> >>>
> >>> Dean Vermeire
> >>> Moonstruck II (#847)
> >>>
> >>> On 6/19/2015 8:24 AM, swampcreek42 wrote:
> >>>
> >>>> I am REALLY interested in getting a folding steering wheel. I'm 
> >>>> wondering
> >>>> if I should stay with the 40" diameter or maybe get something a 
> >>>> little
> >>>> smaller to make even more walk around clearance. What about offset 
> >>>> as
> >>>> opposed to flat like the stock wheel? This is a pricey upgrade so I 
> >>>> think
> >>>> it best to ask those of you who have pulled the trigger. Any advice 
> >>>> or
> >>>> pointers would be greatly appreciated!
> >>>> Thanks,Bruce Hunter Nauti Time #719
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>
> >>
> >