A matter of scale: what size steering wheel?

[BruceS]

I'm building a 20' pointer style boat -- on hold the past two years because of other commitments -- and am working on a center console design. The boat is a shaft drive inboard, hence the style of the console.

I'm looking for comments/suggestions on the correct steering wheel size, given the size of the boat and size of the console. Leverage provided by a large wheel is not a consideration as the hydraulic steering is over sized for the boat and rudder. The attached images shows a 16+" and a 12+" wheel.

The advantage of the 12+" wheel is clearance to my knees while sitting, but does it look silly? Does anyone think the 16" wheel is too small?

Thoughts, suggestions!

[lazeyjack]

with all due respect, I think the spoked wheel looks way out of place on this type boat, if it was A steam pinnace, it would suit
16 is ok as is 14 , nice dwgs
also spokes really do get in the way

[BruceS]

Thanks Lazyjack:

All hardware on the boat is unpolished cast bronze with the exception of the engine controls -- Kobelt would not sell them unpolished-- the spoked wheel suits the look.

Attached is an image of the gauge and switch panel to give a feel.