Rope Covered Wheels

There is not much pleasure in touching cold steel at sea.

A decorative rope covered wheel will feel more comfortable, and will give excellent control.

My wheels are covered in high quality polyester braid, so will retain it's tension when wet.

Natural cordage, such as cotton or hemp, could be used, but would require protection from the elements with varnish. This would change the appearance of the cordage, and may make the wheel slippery when wet.

The picture above shows a yachts wheel rim covered in five different variations. These coverings are the most time consuming to make, but are simply beautifull.

To have a really close look at the wheel, click on the picture, and when the picture opens, click on it again for a close up view.

The five spokes on the wheel, show a variety of Turk's-head knots that can be used to mark your King Spoke (the spoke that is uppermost when the wheel is amidships). The King Spoke can also be marked by covering in a decorative hitching, braid, sennit, or simply a Tee Junction knot.

The Spoke to Rim intersections have been covered with two 8 Lead 5 Bight knots, two 12 Lead 5 Bight knots, and a 6 Bight Tee Junction knot.

The photographs below show more variations.

French Hitching

Bannister Bar

Moku Hitching

Java Hitching

St Marys Hitching

6 Lead 5 Bight Turk's-head

8 Lead 5 Bight Turk's-Head

12 Lead 5 Bight Turk's-Head