All, I saw a very strange ships wheel today on a newer Hunter 30 or 31. The best way to describe it would be to sat that it looks like a stainless tubing X with a normal radius curve on the top and bottom of the X. Then there are two large diameter stubs coming out from the hub at 3 o'clock and 9 o' clock. I swear I'm not making this up and will try to go to the boat tomorrow with my camera so you all can see it. Now here's my question. Does anyone know just what in the heck I'm looking at? Regards, Glyn E31 #55, Marina del Rey CA
I saw an odd wheel today.
- Thread starter Glyn Judson
- Start date
Annapolis E-27
Member III
Glyn,
I think you are looking at a Lewmar folding wheel in the folded position.
I think you are looking at a Lewmar folding wheel in the folded position.
bigtyme805
Member III
Ah, it helps to watch Bob Bithin's Lats & Ats TV show because he talks about this wheel. It is made by Edson and is the newest thing going into the new boat sector. It can be adjusted, so at any time so you can have the oblong shape on top so you can always see. I guess it works but sure does look funny.
Lewmar folding wheel
Mark, Right you are and sure enough when I Googled Lewmar, I saw their folding wheel right away. For your effort you've won a free day sail on the great Ericson 31, Emerald located not far from lovely downtown Annapolis, Maryland. Please contact the owner directly for details. Thanks, Glyn
Mark, Right you are and sure enough when I Googled Lewmar, I saw their folding wheel right away. For your effort you've won a free day sail on the great Ericson 31, Emerald located not far from lovely downtown Annapolis, Maryland. Please contact the owner directly for details. Thanks, Glyn
Think that was bizarre?
Check out "twheel" or "willer" on the ETAP series from Europe!!
Taken from ETAP website:
"EVS®-ETAP Vertical Steering system :
Instead of the standard tiller steering the ETAP 28s can be fitted with the revolutionary ETAP Vertical Steering (EVS®) system. The boat is steered via an ergonomically-shaped control, which moves in the vertical plane athwartships. The EVS® system combines the advantages of tiller and wheel steering, while eliminating the typical disadvantages of both.It is supplied with two teak seats mounted on each side of the split pushpit and an emergency tiller.The optional mainsheet rail is then mounted in the cockpit forward of the EVS so that it easy for the helmsman to use. "
I could not find any pics, but have seen them-looks a bit like the control yoke on a WW II Spitfire fighter plane, and works about the same way...very odd!
S
Check out "twheel" or "willer" on the ETAP series from Europe!!
Taken from ETAP website:
"EVS®-ETAP Vertical Steering system :
Instead of the standard tiller steering the ETAP 28s can be fitted with the revolutionary ETAP Vertical Steering (EVS®) system. The boat is steered via an ergonomically-shaped control, which moves in the vertical plane athwartships. The EVS® system combines the advantages of tiller and wheel steering, while eliminating the typical disadvantages of both.It is supplied with two teak seats mounted on each side of the split pushpit and an emergency tiller.The optional mainsheet rail is then mounted in the cockpit forward of the EVS so that it easy for the helmsman to use. "
I could not find any pics, but have seen them-looks a bit like the control yoke on a WW II Spitfire fighter plane, and works about the same way...very odd!
S
bigtyme805
Member III
I have attached a link to Edson for that crazy looking wheel.
http://www.edsonmarine.com/newproducts/accesswheel.html
http://www.edsonmarine.com/newproducts/accesswheel.html
Annapolis E-27
Member III
The ETAP EVS wheel
Here is a picture of the ETAP vertical steering system. I think I will stick to a wheel or tiller. This design must have come from Battlestar Gallactica.
Here is a picture of the ETAP vertical steering system. I think I will stick to a wheel or tiller. This design must have come from Battlestar Gallactica.
Attachments
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EVS_34s.jpe
"Guidance Systems"
Warning: Steering "Rant."
Interesting how each company selling $teering $ystems keeps coming up with new ways to overcome some of the built-in shortcomings of their devices.
In wanting to: 1) move the "manual guidance" part of sailing deck gear away from the drinking/lounging part of the cockpit, and 2) provide a car-familiar steering sensation to clueless newbies who have never sailed any small boat, the builders have to continually improve the compromised result.
The obvious (!) answer would be to make tiller steering standard again, but that would adversely impact their bottom line at Edson, et al.
Anyone one want to guess what the OEM price is on Edson steering gear? (Hint: there will be little resemblence to the retail prices we see. Kind of like Volvo darned near giving away their diesels to OEM's over the decades and charging a fortune for parts and replacements to make it up...)
And, it's more complicated, even, than that --- To boost sales, since the slump in the 80's, sail boats mostly have hull forms like power boats to greatly increase interior accomodations. This squaring off of the stern causes steering problems that would be glaring to any potential buyer, whether experienced or just starting out. The solution is to put in steering systems, like wheels, that greatly multiply driver input force and negate the feedback.
Your Ericsons, as the general rule, will steer with minimal force due to hull shapes designed for sailing efficiency. If it were not for the need to sell boats to inexperienced beginners in the 80's, they would likely have kept tillers as standard up through the 34 or 35 footers. Note that the Holland designs and the Olsons all had tillers standard with wheels as an option.
Rant mode off. Grumble grumble.
The oblong wheel was on display at Strictly Sail this April at Oakland, BTW.
And, as a counterpoint, in the water there, was a new Hanse 34 with the (optional in the USA) tiller! I do not like everything about the interior layout of that boat, but the cockpit and deck was definitely sailing-influenced, even to having a traveler choice of cockpit-spanning or housetop.
I would love to have seen the later Ericsons with these choices on deck and cockpit...
Oh well.... life moves on.
For the two that read this far, thank you. Time for my morning coffee.
See you at the next rendezvous!
Loren
Warning: Steering "Rant."
Interesting how each company selling $teering $ystems keeps coming up with new ways to overcome some of the built-in shortcomings of their devices.
In wanting to: 1) move the "manual guidance" part of sailing deck gear away from the drinking/lounging part of the cockpit, and 2) provide a car-familiar steering sensation to clueless newbies who have never sailed any small boat, the builders have to continually improve the compromised result.
The obvious (!) answer would be to make tiller steering standard again, but that would adversely impact their bottom line at Edson, et al.
Anyone one want to guess what the OEM price is on Edson steering gear? (Hint: there will be little resemblence to the retail prices we see. Kind of like Volvo darned near giving away their diesels to OEM's over the decades and charging a fortune for parts and replacements to make it up...)
And, it's more complicated, even, than that --- To boost sales, since the slump in the 80's, sail boats mostly have hull forms like power boats to greatly increase interior accomodations. This squaring off of the stern causes steering problems that would be glaring to any potential buyer, whether experienced or just starting out. The solution is to put in steering systems, like wheels, that greatly multiply driver input force and negate the feedback.
Your Ericsons, as the general rule, will steer with minimal force due to hull shapes designed for sailing efficiency. If it were not for the need to sell boats to inexperienced beginners in the 80's, they would likely have kept tillers as standard up through the 34 or 35 footers. Note that the Holland designs and the Olsons all had tillers standard with wheels as an option.
Rant mode off. Grumble grumble.
The oblong wheel was on display at Strictly Sail this April at Oakland, BTW.
And, as a counterpoint, in the water there, was a new Hanse 34 with the (optional in the USA) tiller! I do not like everything about the interior layout of that boat, but the cockpit and deck was definitely sailing-influenced, even to having a traveler choice of cockpit-spanning or housetop.
I would love to have seen the later Ericsons with these choices on deck and cockpit...
Oh well.... life moves on.
For the two that read this far, thank you. Time for my morning coffee.
See you at the next rendezvous!
Loren
Last edited:
driving sideways
I recently saw some new Beneteau 373's with a pivoting helm. You pull a release and the wheel pivots 90 degrees to one side so that it's more out of the way when entertaining. The linkage still works when it's locked sideways.
I recently saw some new Beneteau 373's with a pivoting helm. You pull a release and the wheel pivots 90 degrees to one side so that it's more out of the way when entertaining. The linkage still works when it's locked sideways.
Kim Schoedel
Member III
Hear is my 2 bits worth. I purchased the Lewmar folding wheel 1 year ago. As far as I am concerned, this is one of the greatest inventions ever made for a sail boat. I am the main cook onboard when BBQing. And the extra room getting back and forth from the stern to the cabin is just great when tied up or anchored out. Or just having a whole gagle of folks in the cockpit for a visit, it works just fine and dandy.
That's the good news, yep they cost a bunch (the bad news) but I feel it is definately worth it. There may be other brands out there now but I am not sure.
That's the good news, yep they cost a bunch (the bad news) but I feel it is definately worth it. There may be other brands out there now but I am not sure.
I can't speak to the sailing qualities of modern designs as I haven't sailed them.... However, there is no way I would EVER even consider going back to a tiller after using a wheel. If the boat is big enough is the obvious issue. You can step away from a wheel to tend to other duties and the boat will continue on course, generally. Can't to that with a tiller. Going to weather I can trim the E38 and it will just stay on course indefinitely. Can't do that with a tiller. I understand that there are mechanisims and tiller pilots to allow this with a tiller setup but that is more stuff to deal with. I'm tiller-free from now on on my big boats. RT
Kim Schoedel
Member III
Rob, kind of off the subject but don't you just love the "balance" our Ericson's have. Kind of fun to get "unfamiliar with Ericson's Sailors" behind the wheel and watch them oversteer for awhile. Then just tell them to "take your hands off the wheel and watch the look on their faces when the boat just gracefully works it's way ever so slightly port and starboard to stay in it's Sweet Spot. People just don't get it until they experience an Ericson. I have never been on an Ericson with a tiller but I bet its a sweet ride as well.