I just purchased this boat. It has a wheel and the traveler is mounted above the companionway hatch. It seems to me that a highish seat for this helmsman would be nice to have. The hatch cover over the fuel can is right there. Any advice on whether this is a good idea or feasibility would be appreciated.
98 hunter H26 - Add chair?
- Thread starter CaptainRan
- Start date
Here is one done by a past member.
hunter.sailboatowners.com
Hunter 260 Owner Modifications and Upgrades
Hunter 260 Owner Modifications and Upgrades
hunter.sailboatowners.com
The H26 and H260 are a little different. The H26 was designed for a tiller. If you put a seat in your H26, you would need to make it removable so you can still access the fuel compartment. That sould be doable. You would just need some sort of quick release for the pedistal mount.
The key is a backing plate and as Rob pointed , removable. Did that for a stroke patient on a 1998 Hunter 260 paralyzed on his left side
Thanks to all of you for taking the time to post great information. I'm glad there are no barriers to doing it. Backing plate - check. The only thing I would add is that I might consider moving the hinges on the fuel compartment so that the hatch will open towards the port side and adding a solid tiedown so it doesn't accidentally send the helmsman into the lake. Otherwise the seat would need to separate at the base and I don't know how I could easily do that.
Not familiar with your boat but added seat to mine. Some of this may apply to your installation. Mounted my seat pedestal on the hatch cover. Seat slips on and off as needed to access hatch. Secured hatch cover by adding two more hinges and also two over center latches to keep the cover closed. Over center latches are from McMaster Carr.
That is beautiful. The issue with my boat is that the aft section is at floor level. I will have to find a tall pedestal or build something to add height.
CaptainRan, You mentioned that you are looking for a tall seat at the helm. Hopefully you can find a tall pedestal suitable for your needs. Another consideration is your head sail configuration. I sail in areas infested with lobster pots. These ridiculous contraptions demand constant attention or you risk entanglement with your propeller or rudder. My head sail is cut high above the deck so that I can see the water surface ahead from my helm seat or standing. The slight loss in sail area is IMHO worth the trade off.
I will be sailing pretty much exclusively in Lake mead where the main hazard I've encountered thus far is depth. Fairly far from shore the depth can go from 7 ft to 250 feet in about 50 yards. I spend more time with eyes on depth sounder than on the horizon.