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Author	Topic:   Steering wheel diameter
frontier	posted 05-03-2010 02:11 PM ET (US)         I noticed many steering systems have a maximum steering wheel diameter of 16". Why?
rslsail	posted 05-03-2010 02:21 PM ET (US)             Just a guess, but I would think a larger diameter wheel might make you able to turn the engine quicker in an emergency situation which could lead to unsafe maneuvers or capsizing because of the higher gear ratio.
Tohsgib	posted 05-03-2010 02:59 PM ET (US)             Actually the smaller the wheel the faster it turns.
rslsail	posted 05-03-2010 03:12 PM ET (US)             Ha ha yeah I guess it is...second try...too much torque with the bigger wheel, you might tear the controls right off the motor?
jimh	posted 05-03-2010 03:25 PM ET (US)             Perhaps it is related to strength of the bearing in the helm pump that has to support the wheel.
frontier	posted 05-04-2010 11:30 AM ET (US)             I just talked with Teleflex. They said the steering wheel diameter maximum is mainly because of the 'cantilever effect'. Damage to the bearing if the wheel is suddenly used as a hand hold. jimh is correct. They also said the free play is greater with a larger diameter wheel.

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