Wheel covering material

[hubenschlagen 0]

Aside from leather/elkhide, what good options are there for covering the wheel?

[slug zitski 576]

Leather is the  most practical 

 

Custom foam grip covers are available 

the wheel must be shipped for grip installation 

there might be do it yourself stuff available 

ask the wheel manufacturer 

https://velociwrap.co.uk/velociwrap-wheel-grip-installations/

[ProaSailor 674]

Handlebar tape?

https://www.competitivecyclist.com/handlebar-tape

 

[Sail4beer 3,414]

[chewey 7]

This is a job for Duct Tape!!

[Bristol-Cruiser 1,374]

26 minutes ago, Sail4beer said:

Done a couple of boats like this with paracord. Other than wear and tear on hands it is not hard. Put a layer of double-sided tape around the circumference to help it not slip. Pull really tight after each half hitch. Lots of colours.

[mal5033 44]

I did a leather cover and haven't been sorry. Good grip in wet or dry weather and worth the cost in my opinion.

[Parma 432]

yep, biggest "issue" is wear on the stitching from UV & etc., but after 15 years still going strong.

[Sail4beer 3,414]

The traditional leather wheel cover can last decades if it is properly covered after use and stored below in the off season

[Mulligan 49]

EVA Foam grip.  
 

 

[10thTonner 472]

3 hours ago, hubenschlagen said:

Aside from leather/elkhide, what good options are there for covering the wheel?

Yer GF's tits, newbie!

[10thTonner 472]

2 hours ago, ProaSailor said:

Handlebar tape?

https://www.competitivecyclist.com/handlebar-tape

 

Ok, seriously - this is the stuff. Look for the "cork" taoe by Cinelli that feels dry even when it's wet.

[slug zitski 576]

1 hour ago, Mulligan said:

EVA Foam grip.  
 

 

That’s contact cement as the adhesive and superglue for the joint ?

can 5200 be used as the adhesive ?

[ProaSailor 674]

11 minutes ago, 10thTonner said:

Ok, seriously - this is the stuff. Look for the "cork" taoe by Cinelli that feels dry even when it's wet.

https://www.competitivecyclist.com/handlebar-tape?p=Brand%3A100000695&nf=1

[Sail4beer 3,414]

Nope! 
Again

[Quickstep192 93]

I’d think Alcantara would be a nice choice. 

[ProaSailor 674]

1 hour ago, Fleetwood said:

Boatleather.com

Leather works well but the OP specifically said "Aside from leather/elkhide...".

 

1 hour ago, Quickstep192 said:

I’d think Alcantara would be a nice choice. 

Alcantara For Steering Wheels: 5 Benefits You Should Know
https://autointeriorspecialists.com/blogs/news/alcantara-for-steering-wheels-5-benefits-you-should-know

ALCANTARA VS LEATHER STEERING WHEEL: WHY ALCANTARA FABRIC IS BETTER
https://hydesleather.com/blogs/news/5-myths-about-alcantara-fabric-debunked
https://hydesleather.com/pages/alcantara

[gt-MTb 27]

OP may have said other than leather... but as others have said, there maybe no better choice.

I didn't like the cost of a kit from BoatLeather or alternative commercially available options... so I bought a hide, lacing punch, and did it from scratch.  Less than $70 total, including the tools... all in, about 8-hours for a 42-inch wheel.  The stitching was 6-hrs of that... but honestly one of the most satisfying boat projects I've done. 

[Remodel 838]

2 hours ago, gt-MTb said:

OP may have said other than leather... but as others have said, there maybe no better choice.

I didn't like the cost of a kit from BoatLeather or alternative commercially available options... so I bought a hide, lacing punch, and did it from scratch.  Less than $70 total, including the tools... all in, about 8-hours for a 42-inch wheel.  The stitching was 6-hrs of that... but honestly one of the most satisfying boat projects I've done. 

Congrats. Looks good. I like coxcombing on cruising boats and naval vessels. For big, stainless wheels on race boats, it's elk all the way.

[Raz'r 5,189]

3 hours ago, gt-MTb said:

OP may have said other than leather... but as others have said, there maybe no better choice.

I didn't like the cost of a kit from BoatLeather or alternative commercially available options... so I bought a hide, lacing punch, and did it from scratch.  Less than $70 total, including the tools... all in, about 8-hours for a 42-inch wheel.  The stitching was 6-hrs of that... but honestly one of the most satisfying boat projects I've done. 

We did the same, but over a 2mm closed cell foam. Grippy and soft. We do keep it covered.

[CriticalPath 165]

ColorWheelz from Scandia Marine - a dipped vinyl product works great, feels great, and lasts well.

https://scandiamarineproducts.com/colorwheelz/

Cheers!

[Sail4beer 3,414]

Looks like they dipped it in Flexseal!

[DrewR 69]

22 hours ago, 10thTonner said:

Ok, seriously - this is the stuff. Look for the "cork" taoe by Cinelli that feels dry even when it's wet.

Any idea how much I would need for a 40" wheel for a J/35?

I did the Edson kit but it took forever and did not last long on an uncovered wheel (~6 yrs). I tried tennis racket tape but it didn't take to the curved wheel very well. 

[Parma 432]

23 hours ago, Sail4beer said:

The traditional leather wheel cover can last decades if it is properly covered after use and stored below in the off season

Whatsa "offseason" and what kind of stick do I need for that?

[fastyacht 2,601]

3 minutes ago, Parma said:

Whatsa "offseason"

The antonym of onseason

[foamy1946 99]

Had my helm dipped and covered with vinyl nine years ago...holding up great, heat and cold do not seem to affect it.  Of course the helm and binnacle are covered when not in use.

[ProaSailor 674]

43 minutes ago, DrewR said:

Any idea how much I would need for a 40" wheel for a J/35?

circumference = 2πr

r = 40/2 = 20 inches so 2 * 3.14159 * 20 = 125.7 inches or 10.5 feet.

[Sail4beer 3,414]

1 hour ago, Parma said:

Whatsa "offseason" and what kind of stick do I need for that?

The off-season is the new term for the forward head. The term comes from the smell..

[European Bloke 861]

1 hour ago, DrewR said:

Any idea how much I would need for a 40" wheel for a J/35?

I did the Edson kit but it took forever and did not last long on an uncovered wheel (~6 yrs). I tried tennis racket tape but it didn't take to the curved wheel very well. 

I've taped a lot of bike bars, and that is nice stuff but I'm not sure how good it would be on a boat wheel. The issue will be dealing with the joins, you'll need a few rolls. I'm not sure how you avoid it being lumpy while doing a job that won't come apart where the rolls meet.

It'll certainly be the cheapest option.

[ProaSailor 674]

11 minutes ago, European Bloke said:

I've taped a lot of bike bars...

Oops!  I forgot we are talking about tape instead of Alcantara or leather.  Let's try again.

2 hours ago, DrewR said:

Any idea how much I would need for a 40" wheel for a J/35?

wheel circumference = D * π = 125.7 inches.

rim circumference = D * π = 7/8" * π = ~2.75 inches per wrap.

If the tape is 1.18  inches wide and overlapped by half then there are 125.7 / 0.59 = 213 wraps

213 wraps times 2.75"/wrap = 586 inches = 49 feet of tape!

One source says "Each roll bicycle handlebar tape is about 2350mm(Length) * 30mm(Width) * 2.5mm(Thickness)".  (that's 92.5 inches by 1.18" inches wide)

So 586 / 92.5 = 6.33 roles of tape?

[fastyacht 2,601]

I rhunk theclonger teem wconomy is elkhide. 8 x 20 bucks of bike bartape! Be shot after a seasom or less

[10thTonner 472]

14 hours ago, European Bloke said:

I've taped a lot of bike bars, and that is nice stuff but I'm not sure how good it would be on a boat wheel. The issue will be dealing with the joins, you'll need a few rolls. I'm not sure how you avoid it being lumpy while doing a job that won't come apart where the rolls meet.

It'll certainly be the cheapest option.

I think if you can lead it around the brake/shift levers of a road bikes handlebar, it should go around the spokes of a typical wheel easily. Joining the rolls, however… yea, there will be a lump where the tape is doubled. 

[bgytr 505]

On 12/26/2021 at 12:59 PM, Mulligan said:

EVA Foam grip.  
 

 

This.  Windsurfer boom grip.

[DELETED 208]

I can definitely advise AGAINST ever using Bird shit... In an emergency I had to move a boat once that had broke its mooring only to find the wheel and surroundings liberally coated with Gull shit.. It provides absolutely no traction and the smell was less than idea too! But i think once its on there and dry it is reasonably long lasting.

[ROADKILL666 533]

We had a S&M shop cover the wheels on a boat I raced on in Miami 

[Sail4beer 3,414]

Sounds kinky!

 

[Elegua 1,844]

Good resistance to fluids and chafe. 

[Mulligan 49]

8 hours ago, bgytr said:

This.  Windsurfer boom grip.

Yup!  but i have founds some other alternatives.  My supplier of the blue grip no longer can get it.  I haven't found a new source, yet.  I've just done several wheels in Black, and have a couple lined up for Red grip.  

On 12/26/2021 at 11:04 AM, slug zitski said:

That’s contact cement as the adhesive and superglue for the joint ?

can 5200 be used as the adhesive ?

Any adhesive can be used.  It's just a matter if you want, or need, to ever remove it!  Unfortunately, it sometimes get's damaged.  

[Sail4beer 3,414]

You could go organic

[Parma 432]

cut up some bicycle tires, or use the inner tubes.

[Go Left 203]

On 12/26/2021 at 11:04 AM, slug zitski said:

That’s contact cement as the adhesive and superglue for the joint ?

can 5200 be used as the adhesive ?

Use 5200 everywhere.  Never any worries with that stuff!  The fast cure is the most fun.  

[Mulligan 49]

Some detail of a recent grip job.

[Oh Sheet 9]

Tillers with varnish .

[gt-MTb 27]

9 hours ago, Fleetwood said:

Leather's organic.

Scientifically Carbon Fiber is mostly organic... just not in the yuppie-grocery store meaning...

[Sail4beer 3,414]

This^^^

[Israel Hands 1,242]

17 hours ago, Sail4beer said:

You could go organic

Truthfully the wood on Passport wheels look damn good and have plenty of grip. One more varnish point but would be worth the effort. But I'm sure they would be ridiculously priced.

[Sail4beer 3,414]

That one on eBay is used and $850…

[gt-MTb 27]

37 minutes ago, Fleetwood said:

For a chemist, 'organic' means C-H bonds, not a lot of them in carbon fibre.....

Agree to disagree...

Organic: "Although there are many definitions of "organic," in the scientific disciplines, the basic definition comes from chemistry. In chemistry, organic means chemical compounds with carbon in them."

As for Organic Compounds... 'most' contain C-H, but not all.

[JohnMB 560]

27 minutes ago, gt-MTb said:

Agree to disagree...

Organic: "Although there are many definitions of "organic," in the scientific disciplines, the basic definition comes from chemistry. In chemistry, organic means chemical compounds with carbon in them."

As for Organic Compounds... 'most' contain C-H, but not all.

if we are getting picky:

<nitpick> carbon itself (in the form of graphite diamond etc.) is generally not considered an organic compound because is it not a compound.  </nitpick>

I would generally say that carbon fibers are made from organic precursors, but are not themselves organic. Of course when most people talk about carbon fiber, they are generally referring to carbon fiber reinforced polymers, so we are right back to organic chemistry.

I always have to resist the urge to be picky when people talk about their carbon fiber masts etc; without the polymer it wouldn't be a particularly useful mast . And a 'carbon fiber' wheel is a lot less usable than a carbon-epoxy wheel .

[Go Left 203]

Since we are talking organic...

 

[Howler 29]

I used to  crew on a boat that had a conventional Edson type wheel with metal spokes, but with a wooden rim. It looked great and was easy on the hands in almost any weather.

[gn4478 82]

I like paracord. I did my 42” wheel last winter. Much cheaper than leather. 

[Je Prefere 7]

So stainless steel, an iron compound with added carbon, counts as organic?

 

[Alex W 342]

I had a boat done with a soft hand 1 or 1.5mm cord instead of 3mm paracord. It took someone a long time, but was really comfortable and held up for at least a decade.  I’ve sailed with Paracorded wheels and this one was much more comfortable  

This photo is of a stove gimbal that I made, but you can see the wheel too:

[gn4478 82]

3 hours ago, Je Prefere said:

So stainless steel, an iron compound with added carbon, counts as organic?

 

Definitely not. Steel is a mixture of elements. Organic molecules have carbon atoms covalently bonded to other atoms like hydrogen and nitrogen. 

[Grizz 155]

9 hours ago, gn4478 said:

Definitely not. Steel is a mixture of elements. Organic molecules have carbon atoms covalently bonded to other atoms like hydrogen and nitrogen. 

Agreed- most current definitions include the requirement for a covalent bond between carbon and another element.

[fastyacht 2,601]

On 12/29/2021 at 6:48 PM, Fleetwood said:

Agree, definitions only exist to be useful, and generally get a bit messy around the edges.

Hard to think of a (useful) organic molecule tho' that doesn't contain H (maybe carbon tetrafluoride?), but then I am (was) a physicist, not a chemist.....

Carbon tetrachloride. Very useful.

[Mulligan 49]

I just finished up the red grips.  The material is a little less dense than the windsurfer boom grip.  I warned the boat nanny that I wasn’t as confident in the material as I was in the boom grip, but the owner was adamant about wanting red.  We’ll see how it holds up, but I wouldn’t recommend it to others!  

[Go Left 203]

On 12/26/2021 at 9:59 AM, Mulligan said:

EVA Foam grip.  
 

 

There's no need to cover a carbon wheel.  They are warm to the touch, aren't particularly slippery and the whole point is light weight.  I've got two wheels just like that one and live in a cold. damp climate.  Never even thought about a rim cover. 

Wheel cover - absolutely.

[Go Left 203]

On 1/5/2022 at 6:35 PM, Alex W said:

I had a boat done with a soft hand 1 or 1.5mm cord instead of 3mm paracord. It took someone a long time, but was really comfortable and held up for at least a decade.  I’ve sailed with Paracorded wheels and this one was much more comfortable  

This photo is of a stove gimbal that I made, but you can see the wheel too:

You can buy a very sturdy stove gimbal for a jet boil out of England for not a lot of $.  Well made and all-axis gimbal.

www.safire.uk.com

[Mulligan 49]

47 minutes ago, Go Left said:

There's no need to cover a carbon wheel.  They are warm to the touch, aren't particularly slippery and the whole point is light weight.  I've got two wheels just like that one and live in a cold. damp climate.  Never even thought about a rim cover. 

Wheel cover - absolutely.

I’ve been on boats with all sorts of carbon wheels.  Clear coat, glossy AwlGrip, matte AwlGrip, spiral peel ply finish, non-skid stripes, and many others.  The grip does help a lot when the conditions are WET!  It doesn’t matter what kind of finish is on the wheel, it get’s slippery!  Most of the boats that I do the grips on race on the offshore races in SoCal.  They’re commonly doing Mexico and Hawaii races, where it’s commonly wet and cold at night.  As for the weight, the foam is mostly air.  The red covers maybe added a pound between the two, not a factor!  

[sam_crocker 73]

38 minutes ago, Mulligan said:

I’ve been on boats with all sorts of carbon wheels.  Clear coat, glossy AwlGrip, matte AwlGrip, spiral peel ply finish, non-skid stripes, and many others.  The grip does help a lot when the conditions are WET!  It doesn’t matter what kind of finish is on the wheel, it get’s slippery!  Most of the boats that I do the grips on race on the offshore races in SoCal.  They’re commonly doing Mexico and Hawaii races, where it’s commonly wet and cold at night.  As for the weight, the foam is mostly air.  The red covers maybe added a pound between the two, not a factor!  

I wonder if soft touch paint would do the trick for that.  It's the stuff you find on higher end computer mice, has sort of a rubbery feel and relatively durable.  This stuff says it's got UV resistance.

[Mulligan 49]

$380 a Quart, $80 for Hardener, $80 for Thinner!  How much more to prep and spray?  Mine aren’t cheap, but it’s a proven system.
 

One company that I’ve seen does a Plasti-Dip type coating, but I’ve never seen it in real life.  But it seems like it has a glossy finish. The windsurfer boom grip has suede feel of finish.  I’ve had the boom grip wheels last almost 10 years without a cover on them. 

[Go Left 203]

1 hour ago, Mulligan said:

I’ve been on boats with all sorts of carbon wheels.  Clear coat, glossy AwlGrip, matte AwlGrip, spiral peel ply finish, non-skid stripes, and many others.  The grip does help a lot when the conditions are WET!  It doesn’t matter what kind of finish is on the wheel, it get’s slippery!  Most of the boats that I do the grips on race on the offshore races in SoCal.  They’re commonly doing Mexico and Hawaii races, where it’s commonly wet and cold at night.  As for the weight, the foam is mostly air.  The red covers maybe added a pound between the two, not a factor!  

It is not cold at night on a Mexico or Hawaii race.  Nor is it particularly wet.  I've worn the required single layer of poly and goretex jacket.  

Come a bit further north and we can show you cold at night if you bring enough fleece.  And we can show you wet.  Very wet.  The bare carbon wheels are just fine.

Good point about the weight of the foam, but a red pound or two on the rim of the wheel?  I'd rather not have it.

[Mulligan 49]

Suum cuique pulchrum est; To each their own.  I just give my customers what they want.  I’ve done wheels for some of the top sleds, that have had some of the top helmsmen (and women), and I’ve never had a complaint.  Jason Carrington was very proud of super lightweight wheels that he made for the Volvo 60, until w wave washed another crewmember into the wheel, breaking it.  They had to tack the remaining wheel for the rest of the leg.  After that, he went back to aluminum wheels, as they could be bent back into shape.  

[DrewR 69]

13 hours ago, Mulligan said:

Suum cuique pulchrum est; To each their own.  I just give my customers what they want.  I’ve done wheels for some of the top sleds, that have had some of the top helmsmen (and women), and I’ve never had a complaint.  Jason Carrington was very proud of super lightweight wheels that he made for the Volvo 60, until w wave washed another crewmember into the wheel, breaking it.  They had to tack the remaining wheel for the rest of the leg.  After that, he went back to aluminum wheels, as they could be bent back into shape.  

So what is your source for the EVA foam?

[T sailor 90]

yeah, Mulligan, where do you get this stuff?  how much do you charge to cover a wheel?  I am east coast so shipping could be a problem.  

[bgytr 505]

16 hours ago, Mulligan said:

$380 a Quart, $80 for Hardener, $80 for Thinner!  How much more to prep and spray?  Mine aren’t cheap, but it’s a proven system.
 

One company that I’ve seen does a Plasti-Dip type coating, but I’ve never seen it in real life.  But it seems like it has a glossy finish. The windsurfer boom grip has suede feel of finish.  I’ve had the boom grip wheels last almost 10 years without a cover on them. 

Plastidip is an interesting idea.  I use it for my mast boot and it has worked extremely well.  When I had my mast pulled a couple months ago to get shrouds replaced, the guys at the yard wanted to know who did the mast boot, how it was done, etc.  I might consider that for my wheel after the eva foam I have on there now gets beat in a few years.

[bgytr 505]

Wonder if this stuff is any good...

https://www.amazon.com/Flooring-Decking-Self-Adhesive-Motorboat-Outdoor/dp/B0962VYL1Q/ref=asc_df_B0962VYL1Q/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=507647892471&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=17766911861880788936&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=t&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9009156&hvtargid=pla-1366020021497&th=1&psc=1

[Mulligan 49]

On 2/20/2022 at 5:50 AM, T sailor said:

yeah, Mulligan, where do you get this stuff?  how much do you charge to cover a wheel?  I am east coast so shipping could be a problem.  

I can’t give up my source at this time.  I’m having a hard time getting it, myself.  I’m charging about $500 a wheel for the smaller wheels, up to over $1000 for the big wheels.  There’s  fair amount of prep work to be done, then applying it, treating the seam, and trimming out the spokes.  Along with running around for all the supplies.  It takes me a full day to do the small wheels. 
 

[slug zitski 576]

Looks good 

when it fails… what was the failure mode ?

 Chafe , UV , sunblock cream , oils from you hands …

[Mulligan 49]

Usually they just little chunks taken out by wear and tear and nervous helmspersons with sharp fingernails.  One of Pyewacket’s wheels was taken out by Grand Illusion a few years ago.  I had just redone them.  the red grips have a nice cover going over them!  
 

 

 

[slug zitski 576]

2 minutes ago, Mulligan said:

Usually they just little chunks taken out by wear and tear and nervous helmspersons with sharp fingernails.  One of Pyewacket’s wheels was taken out by Grand Illusion a few years ago.  I had just redone them.  the red grips have a nice cover going over them!  
 

 

 

The wheel I saw in the workshop for re skinning had physical damage …rope burn 

[Mulligan 49]

3 minutes ago, slug zitski said:

The wheel I saw in the workshop for re skinning had physical damage …rope burn 

It happens.  When the cover is fresh, I can scarf in patches. 

[slug zitski 576]

3 minutes ago, Mulligan said:

It happens.  When the cover is fresh, I can scarf in patches. 

that yacht was in for a paint job

Seems that when a new clear coat  on the carbon is needed it’s time to repair the skin 

Evidently the skin was a few seasons old …seems  durable 

[Irrational 14 416]

On 2/19/2022 at 11:32 AM, Mulligan said:

I just finished up the red grips.  The material is a little less dense than the windsurfer boom grip.  I warned the boat nanny that I wasn’t as confident in the material as I was in the boom grip, but the owner was adamant about wanting red.  We’ll see how it holds up, but I wouldn’t recommend it to others!  

Nice job. Yup - that RED will be Pink after about 2 months of use even with a cover.

[Mulligan 49]

1 hour ago, Irrational 14 said:

Nice job. Yup - that RED will be Pink after about 2 months of use even with a cover.

Bolt!  I tried to talk him out of it, but Sam said the owner wanted it!  A light sanding with 150 brings back the original surface color and texture!  It’s already pink!  

[gkny 26]

I redid the grip on a few windsurfing booms back in the day and it wasn't to hard and they held up pretty well.  I would think that the wear and tear on windsurfing booms would be significantly worse than on a wheel.  There are quite a few videos on how to do a windsurfing boom.

[bgytr 505]

3 hours ago, gkny said:

I redid the grip on a few windsurfing booms back in the day and it wasn't to hard and they held up pretty well.  I would think that the wear and tear on windsurfing booms would be significantly worse than on a wheel.  There are quite a few videos on how to do a windsurfing boom.

Agreed.  I did a wheel back in 1990 and it lasted about 7 years.  But back then I could go to my local board shop and get the boom grip from a huge selection.  Now I can't find the stuff anymore in lengths and colors and density I want.  I did my wheel 2 years ago with some eva foam I had to scrape online to find in a color I didn't want, that is not as dense as the boom grip I used to get, and took about a month to ship.  

[SailAnotherDay 0]

On 2/21/2022 at 2:48 PM, Mulligan said:

I can’t give up my source at this time.  I’m having a hard time getting it, myself.  I’m charging about $500 a wheel for the smaller wheels, up to over $1000 for the big wheels.  There’s  fair amount of prep work to be done, then applying it, treating the seam, and trimming out the spokes.  Along with running around for all the supplies.  It takes me a full day to do the small wheels. 
 

That is some pretty work right there! I don’t care who you are.