Helm Cushions

[jssailem]

HI. I am considering getting a helm cushion to add a bit of comfort and improve visibility when at the helm of my Cal35 Pilothouse styled cruiser. Any info and suggestions would be much appreciated. How tall is good - 7 8 or 9 inch foam? At what height is it to tall? Do you prefer the hump or saddle style? How do these cushions do when your heeled at 20 degrees?

My cockpit has plenty of room and I often find myself on the lee side when sailing. Every now and again it would be nice to see over the rail to see that tanker bearing down on my boat before it becomes an issue.

Thanks for your help and ideas.

John
S/V Hadley

 

[higgs]

If your cushion is going to be used outside, be sure it is closed cell.

 

[jssailem]

Thank you Higgs. I concur with the closed cell product. Do you have a seat that permits vision and reasonable support behind your helm?

 

[Rick486]

HI. I am considering getting a helm cushion to add a bit of comfort and improve visibility when at the helm of my Cal35 Pilothouse styled cruiser. Any info and suggestions would be much appreciated. How tall is good - 7 8 or 9 inch foam? At what height is it to tall? Do you prefer the hump or saddle style? How do these cushions do when your heeled at 20 degrees?

My cockpit has plenty of room and I often find myself on the lee side when sailing. Every now and again it would be nice to see over the rail to see that tanker bearing down on my boat before it becomes an issue.

Thanks for your help and ideas.

John
S/V Hadley

Look here
http://forums.hunter.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?p=730799&highlight=helm seat

 

[reworb]

We have a saddle style helm cushion, it's either by C-cushion or Bottom Sider; both are good products and last (I had both kinds on a prior boat).

As far as height I think it would depends on how tall both you and the cabin house are. You want something that you can sit on and see over/around the cabin top, but not so tall that your feet dangle in the air. Neither my wife or I and very tall (5' and 5'4") so we got the tallest available; we have to sit forward on the cushion to keep our feet on the deck. I determined the height by piling up books on the seat until I felt that we could see and still be comfortable. Measured that and ordered as close to that size as I could.

Never had a problem with the cushion sliding even when heeled.

 

[jssailem]

Thank you Rick486 and reworb. I am leaning to a 9 inch Saddle Seat. My cockpit has a bench on both sides and the transom, so there is a place to sit but the cabin is tall and you cannot see over it when sitting. I'll try the books and see what happens. Being short in the legs I want to be able to get to the deck with out feeling I'm falling off the chair.... Ha Ha...

I did buy two of the folding lounge seats by Sport-a-Seat. They are great.

Thanks for your help.