Hi all, I need your ideas. I have an 81 Catalina with the flat rear seat across the stern. I want to put a seat of some kind there so I can see over the hatch when I'm behind the wheel. I have seen everthing from a 2 step plastic ladder to a pile of seat cushions used in boats of my vintage. I know there are some after market seats available but they all seem pretty $$$$. I'm looking for ideas that have worked for you guys. If you have purchased an after market seat that really works, I'd like to know about it also. Thanks for any help. Ron SV Seascape
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One Suggestion -- But Still Looking
I'm looking for the same thing -- doubly so as my instrument cluster is mounted high on the pedestal guard. I've seen at least one C30 with the "traditional" type humped seat. I've seen various plans to make these (I haven't found anyone who sells a finished one) but I'm not sure I'm handy enough to make one. In the interim I purchased an inexpensive Rubbermaid stepstool -- cost about $6 at my local hardware store. It's tall enough for my purposes, light enough to move to different corners of the cockpit when heeled, and also serves as an assist to getting into the V-berth. FYI one of the cockpit cushion manufacturers (C-Cushion or Bottomsiders) makdes two models of cockpit seats -- one a "hump" and one a "saddle." Neither was tall enough for my purposes but might suit yours. I'll be watching this space for other answers. Thanks for raising the question. Mike Turner S/V Amity (C30) Long Beach
I'm looking for the same thing -- doubly so as my instrument cluster is mounted high on the pedestal guard. I've seen at least one C30 with the "traditional" type humped seat. I've seen various plans to make these (I haven't found anyone who sells a finished one) but I'm not sure I'm handy enough to make one. In the interim I purchased an inexpensive Rubbermaid stepstool -- cost about $6 at my local hardware store. It's tall enough for my purposes, light enough to move to different corners of the cockpit when heeled, and also serves as an assist to getting into the V-berth. FYI one of the cockpit cushion manufacturers (C-Cushion or Bottomsiders) makdes two models of cockpit seats -- one a "hump" and one a "saddle." Neither was tall enough for my purposes but might suit yours. I'll be watching this space for other answers. Thanks for raising the question. Mike Turner S/V Amity (C30) Long Beach
Seat
I purchased a hump cushion from Catalina for my 87 C30, it's high enough and matches the rest of my cockpit cushions. I'm not sure however if Catalina still sells them but it's worth a try.
I purchased a hump cushion from Catalina for my 87 C30, it's high enough and matches the rest of my cockpit cushions. I'm not sure however if Catalina still sells them but it's worth a try.
Ditto on the rubbermaid
I use the cheapo plastic ribbermaid stepstool. Put a cushion behind that, sit back
I use the cheapo plastic ribbermaid stepstool. Put a cushion behind that, sit back
The hump helm seat
...is a BottomSiders cushion and is available in the chandlery of this web site. ph.
...is a BottomSiders cushion and is available in the chandlery of this web site. ph.
pedestal chair
Here's a clever idea I found browsing the web. This C30 owner added a swivel pedestal chair! http://localsonly.wilmington.net/~jt/catalina.html
Here's a clever idea I found browsing the web. This C30 owner added a swivel pedestal chair! http://localsonly.wilmington.net/~jt/catalina.html
Cockpit seat
Ron; Here's the hot set-up: A child's bean bag chair. Kid sizes are big enough to work, not so big they take up too much room. In addition, you can plop it down on the coaming next to the rail and wriggle your butt down into it to make a custom-fitted seat. Remove about a third of the beans to make them even more comfortable. I like to steer with one foot from the leeward side while under sail and the bean bag chair works great for this because it puts you high enough to see to windward but you can also see under the genoa to leeward. Try it, you'll like it.
Ron; Here's the hot set-up: A child's bean bag chair. Kid sizes are big enough to work, not so big they take up too much room. In addition, you can plop it down on the coaming next to the rail and wriggle your butt down into it to make a custom-fitted seat. Remove about a third of the beans to make them even more comfortable. I like to steer with one foot from the leeward side while under sail and the bean bag chair works great for this because it puts you high enough to see to windward but you can also see under the genoa to leeward. Try it, you'll like it.
The seat
I had the same problem, and just purchased a igloo cooler at west marine 72 was the size. It has a white snap on seat for the top and it works perfect. make sure you get some tie downs. It also doubles as a cooler, and a table for barbaqueing.
I had the same problem, and just purchased a igloo cooler at west marine 72 was the size. It has a white snap on seat for the top and it works perfect. make sure you get some tie downs. It also doubles as a cooler, and a table for barbaqueing.
Ice chest works fine
I found that a mid-size ice chest works fine as a helm seat on the 30. I tie a line from the stern cleats to each handle to hold the chest in position. This serves a dual purpose by providing a convenient out-of-the-way place to store cold drinks in the cockpit. It also makes a firm place to lean back on when standing.
I found that a mid-size ice chest works fine as a helm seat on the 30. I tie a line from the stern cleats to each handle to hold the chest in position. This serves a dual purpose by providing a convenient out-of-the-way place to store cold drinks in the cockpit. It also makes a firm place to lean back on when standing.
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