15 1/2" steering wheel vs. 13 1/2"

sea sea rider

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I'm currently running the OEM 15 1/2" dia. steering wheel on my 1999 222 fisherman w/225 honda 4 stroke---going to changing wheels----does anyone have a feeling about changing to a 13 1/2" dia. wheel? Or, how many more revolutions would it take to turn the engine the same distance as the 15 1/2?
 

seasick

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This reminds me of the ladder over the side and the number of rungs exposed as the tide comes in:)

The number of turns will be exactly the same..
The amount of force (torque) neede to turn the wheel will be greater. If you have hydrauic steering, you probably won't notice anything. If you have manual steering, you mose certainly will notice
 

Bob's Cay

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Just try steering the boat with your hands down about 2" on the spokes. That should give you a feel for what the 13 1/2" wheel would be like.
 

sea sea rider

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Come spring, I'll give it a try, boats laid up for winter. Maybe find a way of mounting the suicide knob down a little on one of the spokes. Thanx for the tip.
 

Tucker

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A huge improvement! A small wheel with a ball is the only way to go. Now, that was with cable steering. I plan on installing the same wheel on this boat, soon as I get all the freakin' air out of my steering.
 

seasick

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Tucker said:
I installed a 13-1/2" Edson knock-off from China and it was great. You have more room at the helm also.

I assume you don't have adjustable tilt.
 

Fishtales

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Schmidt makes the 15.5" stock wheel and they have one 13.5" as well. Both sizes are offered without and with a ball. I think it is better than the bolt on balls. Do a search, a little over a $100 or so.
 

Fishtales

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They are made in China, but are SS.
 

sea sea rider

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Just purchased a 13 1/2" SS wheel w/turn knob from Discountmarinesupplies.com Manufactured by Seachoice. $119.95 free shipping. The part # is SCP 28481 Not having seen other manufacturers wheels up close, I couldn't compare quality, but this wheel appears to be made well and I believe it is 316 SS.
 

Tucker

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Great price! Make sure you got the right size nut. I had to return mine for a smaller size. Had cable steering on the Escape. I believe hyd steering gets the big nut. Didn't know any of that when I bought the wheel. Once you go with a ball wheel you'll never go back to the Destroyer.