18" Destroyer Wheel

[Langg]

Does anyone know a good place to find an 18" destroyer wheel
on the net for a great price???

[bscott]

Try KellyHanson Marine, they advertise here.

Bob

[TAM]

That's where got mine. Decent price.

Just a word of warning, the stock wheel may be stuck or corroded on. I had to use a puller and even then barely got it off. The point on the puller screw damaged the steering shaft, so protect it, or expect to replace it.

BTW, the nut must have been tightened by the Hulk. Had a heck of a time just getting that off.

[Langg]

I didnt realize they would be so difficult to remove.
I heard they were easy to instal. My boat is a 2003M
so im sure it will take some prying to remove it as well

Thanks

[Boblee]

A suggestion would be don't overtighten the nut as it WILL lock up and make it hard to remove, just enough.

[bscott]

Use anti-seize whenever you torque stainless steel, especially with a dissimilar metal.

Bob

[Terry]

For those who have upsized to a larger wheel, how easy/difficult is it to maneuver around them now that you have less room. I find it difficult enough to get around the little 15" oem wheel never mind making it harder with a bigger wheel, or is it just a mis-perception on my part. Does the larger diameter get in the way?

[Andy26M]

I had the same problem as TAM - I had to use a puller to get the old wheel off and in distorted the end of the steering shaft, requiring me to do some delicate and painstaking sculpture work to get the threads to accept the nut again.

As far as maneuverability, I just step up on the seat most of the time and go around the wheel that way. I did the same thing with the original wheel, also, so adding the bigger one made no real difference.

I think I bought my wheel from Defender Marine (another highly recommended retailer, not Mac-centric though).

- Andy

[atzserv]

I replaced my wheel and had to get a puller. I didn't damage the bolt thank goodness. You may want to tighten the puller pretty tight and see if it POPS. Wait for it I mean. I had to get the puller tight and tapped it with an adjustabe wrench or something i had there the first time. The last time as I was getting ready to do the same if had enough pressure and popped about 15 seconds later on it's own. When I say pop it is a loud pop.

Gary

[tangentair]

A spray of light penatrating oil helps also

[TAM]

I used a 3 prong puller. Tried the 2 prong, but couldn't keep it from slipping off. I'll probably replace the pinion shaft at some point. "Now that I've had the wheel off, I can get the wheel off to replace the shaft I damaged getting the wheel off" Sometimes the most expensive projects started out with the best intentions.

I just climb on the seats to get around. Had to do that with the 15 too. Just the 3" makes a big difference. I like to lay on the windward seat when not in a high traffic area. Much easier to reach when feeling lazy. Also seems to give a better feel for what the boat is doing, but I might just be making that up.

[delevi]

I got the 20" destroyer wheel from Kelly Hanson. Very nice. No problem getting around it and the seats still lift up to access the gas tanks. I would go for the 20 vs 18. Almost the same price.

on edit: yes the wheel is a major pain to remove. The nut comes off with no problem but the wheel is wedged so hard on the shaft, you do need a puller. I used the two-prong type and it worked fine.

Leon

[Retcoastie]

We have he 20" and I just swivel hip around it. I thought it would be more problem that it has turned out to be. Go for it!!!!!

[John Christian]

I bought the 18" wheel from Kelley Hanson last season. I was thinking about the 20" but decided against it based on the website claim that 100% of the sales for the M are the 18". That claim is still on the site although obviously there are many satisfied M owners who went with the 20".

JC

[Sloop John B]

I've got a brand new 24" destroyer wheel (Schmitt Marine Steering Wheel) under my bed. Anyone game enough to try and get around this sucker can PM me for a terrific deal.