I'm looking to add a pedestal helm seat. Current configuration is a drop down seat for walk through transom. When cruising, and the seat is up, it is too low to see over the navpod/cabin top and we end up having to stand for long periods when not using the autopilot. Has anyone added something of this nature or does anyone have any suggestions. Responses/thoughts appreciated.
Pedestal Helm seat for Hunter 41 DS
- Thread starter AmasonHunter41
- Start date
I had one made for my boat, I've heard Al retired but his website is still up. I removed the center fiberglass section and had it made with long legs that extend to the cockpit deck. Everyone that sails with me seems to really like it.
http://www.helmseat.com/See_The_Helm_Seat.htm
He's made them for boats other than Catalina, because each boat is a little different each requires measurements and while he's kept records of all he's made they are almost all essentially custom built to fit.
http://www.helmseat.com/See_The_Helm_Seat.htm
He's made them for boats other than Catalina, because each boat is a little different each requires measurements and while he's kept records of all he's made they are almost all essentially custom built to fit.
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I added a seat at the helm and here some photo's.
The trick is to take the folding step apart and go to walmart and get aluminum plate
that is used for the pole in the photo and will need to grind away some of the inside of the folding step seat so that the plate sits flat against the upper part of the seat.
The seat pole and plate came from walmart or boat store and can't find the photo of the plate that goes in between and like I said get the aluminum cast one not the stainless because the first one I used was stainless and started rusting after a few days.
Nick
The trick is to take the folding step apart and go to walmart and get aluminum plate
that is used for the pole in the photo and will need to grind away some of the inside of the folding step seat so that the plate sits flat against the upper part of the seat.
The seat pole and plate came from walmart or boat store and can't find the photo of the plate that goes in between and like I said get the aluminum cast one not the stainless because the first one I used was stainless and started rusting after a few days.
Nick
Attachments
Drop the seat down and see how much clearance you have below the drop down/seat and the hull bellow it. That is the clearance that you will have to install a chair base on top of the seat and still be able to operate the walk through. You can install a pedestal base such as shown bellow by drilling holes in the top of the seat and using bolts and washer to attach after cutting the tube down to the desired length within the available clearance. The base usually comes in a 9" diameter. Then you can pick the chair of your choice and attach a locking seat base or slider to the chair. During operation the chair and base are inserted on the pedestal and locked with thumb wheels and when you need to drop down the seat just remove the chair and store in cabin. We installed the pedestal base around 10 years ago and we are still very happy with the installation. To cover the protruding bolts and nuts at what will be the top of the step we cut and glued in plastic locking tiles to step on. We are now on our second chair as the first one did not have arm rests but now we have a wider one with arm rests. The only negative is that when I seat fully back my feet dangle but I have found places to hang them or anchor myself. Visibility over the cabin top is excellent. It is still ranked as one of the best upgrades performed in the boat. It is so much comfortable in long trips. Sorry but surprisingly could not find a single photo of the chair and base as installed.
Yes I think Benny's would be way easy to install compared to my install and it was a little work putting the plate in between the swing down step.
My setup is less for storing and my seat is perfect for me and small to store in my cockpit
locker and the pole is easy to store for sure and I looked into better setup like Benny's but
my setup much cheaper and pretty much any type seat can be used but installing the plate is much more work and a little tricky but was well worth it.
I like the seat and pole for comfort and ease to fold and store.
Nick
My setup is less for storing and my seat is perfect for me and small to store in my cockpit
locker and the pole is easy to store for sure and I looked into better setup like Benny's but
my setup much cheaper and pretty much any type seat can be used but installing the plate is much more work and a little tricky but was well worth it.
I like the seat and pole for comfort and ease to fold and store.
Nick