I have to admit I'm new to the boat. Had to motor 43 miles to Casco Bay a week ago and the wheel was great for that. Went sailing a few days ago with crew... (actually I was tailing the winches while my son, visiting from NC, was at the helm...) and was just noticing how difficult it would be to get around the wheel and all the way forward to sheet in. The "box" that the winches are currently mounted to (and in which things like winch handles are stowed) might be a structural element to take a couple of self-tailing winches but I'll have to see if they can be mounted far enough aft to do the trick. I will give a change of position a try. Maybe a slightly smaller diameter wheel?