The helm, the captain’s chair, the driver’s seat, the cockpit—it’s all centered around one critical piece of equipment: the boat’s steering wheel. While you may not have given much thought to your boat’s current steering wheel (and in all likelihood, it’s probably the original wheel direct from the manufacturer), overtime it’s natural for it to endure a little wear-and-tear.

Learning how to remove a boat steering wheel is one thing, but before you can begin that process, you have to make the important decision of choosing a proper replacement. Before you make a quick decision, there are a few factors you’ll want to consider.

Familiarize Yourself with Your Current Steering Wheel

First, think about your current boat, your pride-and-joy. What does your boat steering wheel look like? What materials make up its construction—stainless steel, plastic, leather, foam, wood? Does it have a textured grip? Pay close attention to the details.

In addition to studying your current model’s wheel, you’ll also want to research similar boats in the same class. If you have a pontoon, look at the current pontoon boats on today’s market—same goes for runabouts, wake boats, fishing boats, sailboats, and so on. In most cases, you’ll notice a lot of similarities among the steering wheel designs across these models.

Once you have good understanding of what kind of steering wheel might be right for your boat, you can dive into the details.

Consider Your Options

From color to material type, grip options, and custom features, you’ll have plenty of options to choose from for your boat’s steering wheel replacement. In deciding what’s right for you, simply narrow down your options to see what you feel most comfortable with—and what will work best to enhance your boat’s performance.

In terms of materials, one of the most popular options on today’s market, particularly for saltwater vessels, is a stainless steel boat steering wheel. This type of wheel can be easily maintained, and it’s extremely durable to stand the test of time.

Another important factor to consider is the addition of a maneuvering knob, or what’s often referred to as a boat steering wheel knob. This is a feature that can be included in the original construction of the wheel, or a separate feature that you can attach as an afterthought.

Prioritize Functionality Over Style

While style and appearance will ultimately play a key role in your decision, remember to prioritize functionality over looks. For example, a boat steering wheel that is right for a sailboat with a larger, pirate-style appearance and possible wood construction will definitely not be right for most powerboats on today’s market. Likewise, a stainless-steel wheel with a maneuvering knob might be perfect for a center console fishing boat or sport fishing yacht, but a smaller, sport-style plastic wheel may be right for freshwater runabouts, pontoons or bass boats.

Final Considerations: Retailers & Installation

Finally, you’ll have some choices on where you purchase your wheel replacement. In some cases, you have the option of ordering manufacturer-direct, which ensures you will get original parts designed specifically to fit your boat directly from the OEM (original equipment manufacturer). On the other hand, many boat owners opt to order their boat steering wheel replacements from an aftermarket retailer, like Marine Depot Direct. While not specifically designed for your boat, aftermarket retailers offer high quality products at a much lower cost than OEMs.

You can browse all the available steering wheel options here at Marine Depot Direct.

Last but not least, don’t forget to consider installation. Sure, there’s always the DIY (Do-It-Yourself) option, but if you want to ensure your new steering wheel has been installed correctly, we always recommend seeking professional help—especially if you need assistance with the boat steering cable.

What kind of steering wheel do you have? Share with us in the comments below!

Visit MarineDepotDirect.com for a wide variety of cost-effective, top quality stainless steel marine hardware. You may also connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube for the latest updates or call 818-215-4211 to speak with a representative.