Laying up for winter? Give your helm wheel a new leather grip

Autumn is here, and across the UK boats are coming out of the water for winter. For many owners lay-up is the time for the jobs there was never a free weekend for in summer – antifouling, servicing the engine, checking the rigging. The helm wheel is easy to forget, but it is the part of the boat you touch more than any other.

On the other side of the Atlantic the season is just getting going: the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show runs from 28 October to 1 November 2026, one of the biggest boat shows in the world. Wherever you keep your boat, it is a good moment to think about the details that make time at the helm more comfortable.

Why a leather grip on the helm?

A bare stainless or painted wheel gets cold, hot and slippery in turn. Sun, salt and spray wear down the original finish, and wet hands slip just when you need a firm hold. A real leather cover changes how the wheel feels: warmer in winter, cooler in summer, and much easier to hold with wet hands or sailing gloves.

Made to your wheel, not one-size-fits-all

Helm wheels come in every size, from small motorboat wheels to large wheels on cruising yachts. Our leather covers for helm wheels are made in sizes up to 160 cm, cut to the outer diameter of your wheel and hand-stitched in our workshop in Devon. You choose black smooth, black perforated or one of our colour leathers, and any stitching colour from our thread chart.

How to measure your helm wheel

1. Outer diameter – measure straight across the wheel, from outer edge to outer edge.

2. Grip circumference – wrap a soft tape (or a strip of paper) around the rim where you hold it and measure the length.

3. Note your boat's make and model.

With these three details we cut the cover to fit. If you are not sure, send us a photo of your wheel and we will check it before you order.

Fitting during lay-up

The cover arrives with its edges already finished, together with a needle, strong thread and step-by-step instructions. You place it around the rim and lace the two edges together – no glue and no special tools. A quiet day in the boatyard or a dry weekend at the marina is enough, and the wheel is ready for the first sail of spring.

Looking after the leather

Wipe off salt with a damp cloth after sailing and let the leather dry naturally. A little leather conditioner once or twice a season keeps it supple. During lay-up, a simple canvas cover over the wheel protects it from dust and winter sun.

Every cover is made to order and dispatched within 3 working days. If you would like advice on size or colour, get in touch – we are always happy to help a fellow boat owner get it right.

Colours shown are for reference only and may vary slightly depending on your screen settings and resolution.

Sources: Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show 2026 dates – IYC (https://iyc.com/fort-lauderdale-international-boat-show-2026/), Boating magazine (https://boatingmag.com/boats/2026-fort-lauderdale-international-boat-show-attendees/).

Image: Shades of Tuning.