Getting Taller

[Gary Wyngarden]

My wife who is 5'8" has difficulty seeing over the top of our dodger and has to stoop to see through the vinyl windshield. When the wind is relatively calm, she'll stand on a throw cushion for added height, but when the boat is heeled very much, the throw cushion slides around. Has anybody come up with a good method to increase the viewing height of a vertically challenged helmsperson? Thanks.Gary WyngardenS/V Shibumi H335

 

[Bruce Hill]

Helmsman's blocks

My buddy's Morris 38 came with helmsman's blocks in the cockpit floor. Picture (think hard) a solid block of teak about a foot long and oh, maybe 5 inches wide. It is beveled on all 4 sides (like a pyramid with the top cut off flat). The top surface should be of sufficient area to be comfortable to stand on. There are 2 of these mounted by the wheel where your feet would be when you stand. Also very helpful when heeling.

 

[Jay Kent]

We had a special cushion made

for my co-captain. It is made of the same thing as our regular cockpit cushions. It is a 12 x 12 square cushion, but is 8 inches thick. If you have something similar made, make sure that the high density foam is used so that the 8 inches does not become 3 inches when someone sits on it. The overall "lift" has worked wonders for the 5' 4" Admiral. We had this done about 3 years ago, now there are at least six others that have done the same.

 

[Steve Dion]

Bottom sider cushion.

Gary:I thought that Bottom Siders mades booster seats. Do not know how they would work with a raised helm seat. I'd talk to Bly and see what they have or what they can do.

 

[Richard Weaver]

Gary,A few years ago I purchased a seat for that very reason. I bought it from BOAT/US, it's in their catalog. It's made from a material like bottom siders are made from.I believe they have 2 or 3 sizes depending on the height you need. Good luck.

 

[Gary Wyngarden]

Thanks for the Ideas!

nm