Curious, where do you sit/stand while at the helm?

WellerH · Nov 21, 2011

iSailor said:
Just curious how people are piloting thier boats. I have only had my boat out a couple of times and found myself struggling a little for good visibility (especially for crab pots, etc..) while at the helm, with the dodger up. It basically seems impossible to sit behind the wheel and have good visibility, even with those raised up cushions. I prefer to sit than stand because it is easier on my back.

The previous owner installed a hicking stick to the wheel so you can actually site in the stern rail seat and steer (a little).

Advise / suggestions?

thanks,
Matt

Matt,

I'm on Middle River as well (MD Marina). I had a custom "J-Cushion" made that hangs over the swim ladder (in the upright position) to form a seat back while sitting. Much more comfortable than without. I don't have pictures, but you can see in person on the river next summer.

Tom J · Nov 21, 2011

helm seat

I found a seat at a yard sale that fits perfectly behind the wheel. I can sit on a cushion and see under the navpod. My wife needs 2 or 3 cushions. The seat folds up and is moved easily when we are using the walk-through. I sometimes sit to one side or the other to look down the side deck. I have a bad back, and the seat helps immensely. Often, I'll stand when we are in the harbor, or while sailing.
Watching for crab pots is a challenge, though. Usuallly my wife can spot them from the stern quarter seats, but when they get thick, she'll stand next to the dodger for a better view.
A friend of ours is so tall, with such long arms, that he removes the walk-through and steers from the top step on the transom. Really something to see.

rpwillia · Nov 21, 2011

Jump Seats

I usually pop the auto pilot on and sit on the jump seats to either side. I am planning on replacing my dodger soon and am planning on cutting it down 1-3" so I can see over it when standing; not the greatest design for a one size fits all :cussing:. I can also sit down and look through the dodger. When racing I am dead behind the wheel standing and moving around.

Barnacle Bill · Nov 21, 2011

Some boats are designed so the helms person can sit behind the wheel and have good visibility over the cabin top and some aren't. Often a good position is to straddle the wheel with your legs and sit aside it. So, the wheel is between your legs and you are on the high side where you can see pretty well. You can sit on the low side to better see the jib trim, but usually someone else watches that and you might not want to be down there in heavy air.

gpdno · Nov 21, 2011

It depends. When I'm motoring in the intercostal I generally will stand behind the wheel. Out sailing in the gulf, I sit on the windward side of the wheel.

eliems · Nov 21, 2011

I take my remote control to the Bean Bag chair on the bow and steer the boat from there.

Long Story · Nov 22, 2011

Re: Jump Seats

RP - if you do the cut down let me know how it works. I have been saying all summer that we should lose 3"-4" of height so you can see over the dodger. My feeling is that it won't effect the protection it offers at all. Being almost new, I have been trying to figure out how it can be altered without a total replacement. Russ

Stu Jackson · Nov 22, 2011

I agree with Ray. I rarely go behind the wheel, except for leaving and returning to the dock. Our autopilot control unit is mounted on the side coaming so I can use it either from in front of or behind the wheel (http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,5445.0.html, picture in Reply #1).

Our dodger is very low compared to many. It is 'cuz our PO was very, very short, but it makes all the difference in the world to me to NOT have to ALWAYS look through plastic when I'm out sailing. I love the clean look and I can lean on the dodger from the cockpit and look forward, too. Most all other dodgers I've seen have been way too high for my liking. One quickly learns to duck when going down below or coming back up.

shipwreck66 · Nov 22, 2011

I actually sit forward of the helm while cruising> I found that after I get a good course heading and trim set from forward of helm I can walk forward into cabin or deck without throwing the boat off course>

Imbbeamer · Nov 23, 2011

Sit beside while under sail. Standing behind wheel while docking

rpwillia · Nov 24, 2011

Will post a new thread when I do.

Long Story said:
RP - if you do the cut down let me know how it works. I have been saying all summer that we should lose 3"-4" of height so you can see over the dodger. My feeling is that it won't effect the protection it offers at all. Being almost new, I have been trying to figure out how it can be altered without a total replacement. Russ

... and to avoid the dreaded PaulJ admonition of

ix:
I will post pictures.

bobgelb@gmail.com · Nov 25, 2011

Guys..I use. Blue Herron helm seat. Check out helmseat.com. Al makes a quality seat to order
Bob

gpd955 · Nov 28, 2011

bobgelb@gmail.com said:
Guys..I use. Blue Herron helm seat.

I love mine. After I bought my boat the PO called and said, "oh by the way, I have this seat that I forgot to give you..."

Very comfortable and gives me perfect height. For the most part, though, I'm standing behind the wheel and leaning on the helm seat. I have short arms and it's uncomfortable for me to be constantly steering while seated. If conditions are nice i'll set the AP and kick back in the stern rail seats or wander the cockpit.

rpwillia · Nov 28, 2011

You all need the PaulJ Mod

It is somewhere here in the forums.

Curious, where do you sit/stand while at the helm?

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