Replacing leather wheel cover

[Wet Spreaders]

The leather on my steering wheel has worn out, cracked and flaked in a few places - 30 years, it did it's job. I want to replace and there are a bunch of companies out there with kits. Before I jump in with both feet, buy the kit and get started peeling off the remaining old leather, do you guys have any words of wisdom/warning?

One minor point - the wheel rim is not circular - Edson series with eliptical profile. A couple of companies that do the leather kits show standard sizes - 3.14" circumferance being closest to the 3.06" that I measured. How exact do I need to be? The next size down is 2.75", which would require a stretch to fit. Also, one company lists a bunch of Jboats (but not J105), and they recommend the 2.75 - which is concerning because I bet they use the same wheel. What am I missing?

 

[steele]

This company has a good reputation localy and has some custom options, https://boatleather.com/product/boatleather-wheel-covers/. I have not used their kits personaly but have seen the end results and they looked great. I have spoken to the owner at the boat show and he seems to be legit and is also a sailor.

 

[SloopJonB]

Have you measured a piece of your existing cover?

If you have an oddball shaped rim you may be stuck with dealing with Edson or getting one custom made.

 

[py26129]

I used Boatleather to over my wheel a d could not be happier. I followed their instructions for measuring my wheel and the cover was sized perfectly. The kit also came with double-sided tape to keep the cover in place while stitching.

 

[JC522]

I know 2 owners who had their wheels covered with vinyl and really liked it. I thought it looked nice and felt very comfortable. This is just the first company that showed up in a search. I'd guess there are others. The price seems competitive with a leather wrap.

ColorWheelz - Scandia Marine Products

ColorWheelz is a long-lasting vinyl steering wheel cover for sailboats. It will not absorb water and provides superior insulation from cold or hot...

scandiamarineproducts.com

 

[gt-MTb]

I thought the kits were overpriced... so bought a tanned hide and lacing punch... cut it to exactly the size, punched the holes, and killed 6-hours stitching a 42" wheel... was all-in for ~$38 and got the fit and colors I wanted. Good winter project. 3-seasons old so far... holding-up well, no concerns so far.

Didn't realize how hard and stiff the old cover got after so many years... fresh cover feels great in all conditions.

 

[sculpin]

If you buy the larger and it is too big can't you just cut the splice and shorten it a bit?

 

[DDW]

I think a circumference that is too large for the rim might be a problem. The edges meet, you can't get it any tighter and it is still loose. The length (wheel circumference) can be adjusted easily.

 

[longy]

Putting a 1/8" layer of neoprene under the wheel gives a much better feel. It's an Edson option, also

 

[Fleetwood]

I used Boatleather to over my wheel a d could not be happier. I followed their instructions for measuring my wheel and the cover was sized perfectly. The kit also came with double-sided tape to keep the cover in place while stitching.

+1 for Boatleather.com. Kit for my wheel fit perfectly and not hard to install.

 

[USA 007]

I did a J105 wheel with the Edson leather kit. Use the 2.75" because the leather has some stretch to it and will close the gap - too large will be too loose.
I built a jig - clamp, bolt to the table end, so that I could rotate the wheel as I sew. Set it a comfortable working height, you're going to be sitting in a chair sewing for 45mins- 1hr for each section between spokes. Tie off the line and start fresh at each spoke. Mix a rummy and settle in, it's going to take longer than you expected...

 

[Wet Spreaders]

I did a J105 wheel with the Edson leather kit. Use the 2.75" because the leather has some stretch to it and will close the gap - too large will be too loose.
I built a jig - clamp, bolt to the table end, so that I could rotate the wheel as I sew. Set it a comfortable working height, you're going to be sitting in a chair sewing for 45mins- 1hr for each section between spokes. Tie off the line and start fresh at each spoke. Mix a rummy and settle in, it's going to take longer than you expected...

Thanks - very, very helpful. Did you order the kit with the foam underlayment or just the leather by itself?

 

[slug zitski]

EVA foam sheet, contact cement , bit of super glue , razor blade and presto …no leather

buy long sheets..fewer butt joints

uv resistant , reasonably durable , cheap

 

[psycho tiller]

If you use leather save yourself some time and frustration and wet the leather as you're doing it.

I did one a few years ago and it was a struggle to pull and stretch it into place. After I was done and my fingers and hands were cramped & sore that's when I read that you're supposed to wet the leather to make it stretch easier. Another example of how I always do things right after exhausting all other possibilities.

 

[USA 007]

Thanks - very, very helpful. Did you order the kit with the foam underlayment or just the leather by itself?

Just the leather. I removed the foam from the previous installation, and that was a job all unto itself.

 

[Wet Spreaders]

Just the leather. I removed the foam from the previous installation, and that was a job all unto itself.

Yeah - The underlying foam is in good shape, and is glued on. I'm not looking forward to removing it. I'd prefer to leave it alone. This job is going to be a pain in the ass because I'm going to have to do it with the wheel on the boat. The stainless bolts are siezed into the boss of the wheel and I don't want to take the risk of really cranking on them - they face out from the binnacle so when they strip or the heads snap off, there's no way to get at them easily. Wheel-on means sitting in a hunched position for a few hours sewing. I could live without having to scrape off old foam also.

But if I don't remove it, I'll probably need the wider kit. I'm starting to like the idea of buying some hide, a sewing punch and making my own, using the existing foam. I'm surprised how cheap leather is online and there's plenty of variety. But a 48" wheel has a 13.5' circumference. You don't meet too many 14 ft long cows (scary!) so that means multiple seams. Can you cut a spiral in leather and stretch it straight?

 

[SloopJonB]

If you use leather save yourself some time and frustration and wet the leather as you're doing it.

I did one a few years ago and it was a struggle to pull and stretch it into place. After I was done and my fingers and hands were cramped & sore that's when I read that you're supposed to wet the leather to make it stretch easier. Another example of how I always do things right after exhausting all other possibilities.

I learned that as a child building model cars - when all else fails, read the directions.

 

[psycho tiller]

I learned that as a child building model cars - when all else fails, read the directions.

I draw the line at asking for directions though! I'll find it, maybe by accident, but I'll find it eventually.

 

[ROADKILL666]

A boat I sails on the guy used a s&m shop to wrap the wheels. They did a good job.

 

[SloopJonB]

If you're going that way there are other options.