After responding to the post of our friend with the beer belly I was thinking about the topic of helm chairs. It is my consideration that any boat other than daysailers and racers should have one. Anyone who spends more than a couple of hours at the helm of a boat will appreaciate having one. Besides comfort they can be adjusted to provide improved visibility above the cabin top. One with arm rests is a welcomed upgrade from one without them. I see a lot of boats without them and wonder what is holding the owners back. We have ours installed on the swivel seat/boarding ladder of the h320. It is removable so that the swivel seat is functional. How many of you have helm chairs and how do you like them? Any unusual installs or applications? Perhaps we may convince some of those that don't have them to upgrade.
Helm Chairs.
- Thread starter Benny17441
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Same here, very comfy.... I wouldn't want a permanently attached one, however. I prefer to move to the windward side with my inside arm resting on the tiller, cold drink in the other.. facing forward.
When I helm boats with wheels, I choose to steer from either side depending on what I want to see... so I would never install a permanently mounted helm seat. On my friends Island Packet, there is a smallish wheel with a raised, built in helm seat... I find it very inconvenient when sailing.... but, under power, cruising down the intercoastal, sitting behind the wheel on the seat seems perfectly normal.
My Seat
My 07 H-36 helm seat is so much better on those longer times at the helm and also good for day sailing that is easy to remove any time and easy to add when cruising on long trips relaxing while in Auto and really helps with good view over the chartplotter.
Nick
My 07 H-36 helm seat is so much better on those longer times at the helm and also good for day sailing that is easy to remove any time and easy to add when cruising on long trips relaxing while in Auto and really helps with good view over the chartplotter.
Nick
Attachments
I tend to run my autopilot a lot because the areas I sit when I steer are uncomfortable. I have also discovered that the way my backstay comes down would make it hard to put a helm seat on my boat. Oh well, the BOH works great (Battery Operated Helmsman).
I prefer standing when sailing and sail far more then motor so we don't need a regular helm seat. I use a coleman cooler as a seat The 1st mate uses it to wash cloths in and store cleaning supplies.
I got mine at Helmseat.com. They mainly make them for Catalinas, but I have a Hunt33, so we took some measurements, and had some e-mails back and forth. It's very well made it attaches to the back steel uprights has drink holder.
Nice thing is no drilling or alterations to your boat.
Go to their website to see prices, etc.
Nice thing is no drilling or alterations to your boat.
Go to their website to see prices, etc.
JohnB look at the Boat Info for h320 under owner modifications and you will find pictures and details of our installation. the seat you see in the pictures has since been replaced with a larger one with arm rests.
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