Are boat steering wheels universal? Can I change the one I have for something I buy at an autoparts store?

My steering wheel on my boat is completley rusted. It looks like a classic Grant 13" steering wheel (it's not a grant it just looks like one). First off the steering wheel is to small and hard to turn. Second it just doesn't look good. So I want to see if I just pick one up at an auto parts store or off the internet from a boating store.

Unless you intend on replacing your entire steering system, you need to get one that matches your helm. A Mustang steering wheel will not fit a Teleflex helm. There is a big difference between the steering column on a car and a helm on a boat. If you try to adapt one, you will be making a big mistake that you will realize when you least want to, like coming into a dock and finding that your turning the wheel and the boat isn't steering

Hot Rods and Custom Cars-Chasing Down Our Automotive Parts, part 2