18" wheel

[kmclemore]

Yes, indeed.. check the Mac Mod's section under cockpit and you'll find this:

http://www.macgregorsailors.com/cgi-bin ... record=346

There's also a good discussion of wheels here if you're interested.

Some other wheel mods, FYI:

http://www.macgregorsailors.com/cgi-bin ... record=716

http://www.macgregorsailors.com/cgi-bin ... record=443

[James V]

The only reason that I changed it is to install the Raymarine S1 Wheelpilot.

[Catigale]

Ill come clean and confess I changed mine to look cool and more sailboaty...



It is easier for me to stand and helm with the big wheel - I think I did a 21 inch though...Im 6' 1" tall

[NautiMoments]

You know what they say....Big wheel Big cockpit....... I changed mine to the 18" and love it.

[R Rae]

Quote:
The only reason that I changed it is to install the Raymarine S1 Wheelpilot

Would appreciate any feedback on the performance of your S1

Thanks,

Ron

[kmclemore]

Quote:
The only reason that I changed it is to install the Raymarine S1 Wheelpilot

Would appreciate any feedback on the performance of your S1

Thanks,

Ron

Here's some links to relevant discussions on this, Ron:

http://macgregorsailors.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=5088

http://macgregorsailors.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=6933

http://macgregorsailors.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=5616

[James V]

Ron - there has been much discussion on this. Here is my thoughts on this.

I have never used an autopilot before. This was a big expenese for me and I had it put in by a pro. There is not really much of a choice and I thought that this was the best. So far I have been very happy with it. I have spend more than 80+ hrs on Auto pilot and it stears better than me. It cannot hold a course on plane or with boards up. I have used it in 20+ mph winds on the beam. When I look back at the wake it is not a straight line but better than I could do. In order to make it straighter I would have to take all the play out of the stearing. The S1 has many different settings and you have to adjust it to the correct one for your boat. The books are good on which ones to use. It took me a while to get get it adjusted so that I could be happy with it.

I just set it and do other things. It is great. God's give to the singlehander.

I have an unusal setup - The main controler is where the electrical pannel is and I had put in a breaker panel below. I use the remote to enguage and make adjustements. The 2 AAA batteries will last about 40 hours. The stear motor is on the same side as the Mercury throtal. It was to tight and the throtal had to be moved back about 2 inches for clearance. It might fit better if the motor was put on the other side.

[Night Sailor]

I haven't before had problems with the stock wheel because I almost always had crew to help with keeping an eye peeled for traffic or obstructions. Now that I'm doing more singlehanding, I realize for the first time that it's hard to go up and out far enough for good visibility forward, and still keep a steady course with a firm hand on the wheel. Most convenient solution I can think of for this dilemna is a much larger wheel, though it will deny foot and leg room to go forward around the pedestal for sail trimming. I'm 6'1.5" with a 36" reach, but I think 18" for a wheel won't suit my purposes as stated above. An 18" would also put the throttle directly behind the grip. It seems that 24" would serve my purpose at the lowest cost for the function.

[James V]

On the M it would be too big. You would have to walk on the seats to get by the wheel.

Also on the 21" wheel you may have to get a sleave for the shaft. The 16" and 18" are tapered, the 21" that I found was straight.

[Catigale]

If you have more money than a tort lawyer with 100 bad plastic surgery clients in LA, you can get a folding wheel from Lewmar for about $500 or so