Want beautiful wood wheel too!

[tribologist]

So many of you guys have nice wood steering wheels!
I love to swap out the original wheel since it should give more room at the helm. Anyone seen any good deals or have one for sale?

Is the hub 3/4” on the original helm?
I just noted it was “Made in Sweden” but on their webpage they list the first application as controls for a radio in the Spitfire.

Ulf

[kerrye]

Personally I like the delusion of driving a 63 Falcon

[WillieC]

If I had the later plastic wheel, which is known for busting after lo, these many years, I'd want a swap, too. I thought I wanted to replace my simple chrome wheel for a more boaty-spoked wheel, but I've grown accustomed to her ways. Not having wood knobs knocking my knees is a good thing. The internal spokes provide plenty of leverage and even with the smooth rim, I can still drive with my feet when I sit on the roof in the open hatch.

Whatever it is, I am almost certain it is metric in the hub, but apparently not difficult to swap since most everybody has. With everything you are doing, you can adjust the seat/wheel distance when you upgrade the seat.

[dkirsop]

The long legged guy wants everyone to know he hates the old style wooden wheel. Knock, knock, knock - that was the spokes hitting my knees, not the engine. Got rid of that wheel two years ago and have never looked back.

[tribologist]

The long legged guy wants everyone to know he hates the old style wooden wheel. Knock, knock, knock - that was the spokes hitting my knees, not the engine. Got rid of that wheel two years ago and have never looked back.

??? I thought this was your boat... I'm all over that bench design too...

Chair Folded.jpg

[dkirsop]

The picture is about 2 years out of date. Here is a more current one.

P1040880.jpg

[WillieC]

You can tell the first picture is old because this was before Dkirsop initiated his semi-annual refinish and polishing of the underside of his seat.

Edit: "semi-annual refinish and polishing of the underside of his seat" FOR the storage of his shiny new phillips screwdriver.

[ssrig]

The picture is about 2 years out of date. Here is a more current one.

P1040880.jpg

Whats the Philips screwdriver for?

[DesertAlbin736]

That's the thing, each A25 has its own personality, customizations, small differences. Ours has a 'boaty' s/s 'destroyer' style wheel with teak handles. I can understand the "knee knock" issues, but I like those handles. I moved our seat back as far as possible, so that helps.

DSCN3638.JPG

[NickScheuer]

Helm.JPG

Helm.JPG

[NickScheuer]

Posted pic above before adding text. I wanted a circular rim with a knob, but also want4d to keep the original wooden wheel. The rim is laminated using 1/16" strips of hardwood bent around a cruse form and glued with WEST epoxy. I also made the wooden knobs on our Morse trans/throttle control.

[dkirsop]

Nicely done! Every Albin is as unique as its owner. I enjoy seeing how people have adapted these boats to their own needs and personal preferences. My boat has provided me with great pleasure for its adaptability, dependability and economy. I have had bigger boats and more expensive boats but this one takes top honours as the best boat! Long live the Society of Compulsive Aquatic Tinkerers (SCAT for short).

[DesertAlbin736]

I wanted a circular rim with a knob, but also want4d to keep the original wooden wheel.

I believe the vernacular term is "Suicide Knob".

...just wondering, why they are called suicide knobs? why are they illegal?
There are a few reasons: One, they will sometimes grab a shirt sleeve and get snagged up right in the middle of a turn. Two: in the case of bump steer, they'll just about knock your thumb off and shove it down your throat for ya. Three: They've been known to pick the worst possible moment to break off, like right in the middle of a hard turn. None of those scenarios is very pleasant. That said, I've had one on several different vehicles and still like them.

https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/thr ... so.321496/

[WillieC]

How could you every drive a 57 Shiv with manual steering without one, regardless of the downsides?

[tribologist]

Nice work!

Posted pic above before adding text. I wanted a circular rim with a knob, but also want4d to keep the original wooden wheel. The rim is laminated using 1/16" strips of hardwood bent around a cruse form and glued with WEST epoxy. I also made the wooden knobs on our Morse trans/throttle control.