Wheel upgrade??

[thekeip]

I have an Ericson 35 and sail regularly on SF bay. I had always thought (for no good reason) that the original wheel, at 28", just looked too small, though the boat handles well even when the wind pipes up.
One of the folks I work with gave me a really nice 40" wheel that just happens to fit the pedestal hardware perfectly....and it looks right. So, given that the rudder apparatus is robust enough to handle the strain, are there any pitfalls I should be aware of?
Howard Keiper
Berkeley

[Faster]

Go for it... the only issue should be any possible difficulty getting around the wheel. What model E35? The early version has a split cockpit anyway, the later versions have a T shaped cockpit. As long as you're happy stepping up and around the wheel you'll be fine.

Plenty of people use a quick release nut on the wheel and remove it to the rail at anchor or while entertaining/lounging in the cockpit too, so that would eliminate that problem at times.

You'll find the reach to the wheel much easier from the coaming too, with better sightlines to the headsail telltales.