Fly bridges in the UK

[Switch]

Many here extol the virtues of fly bridge boats in the med for obvious reasons but I'd like to hear from folks who run fly bridge boats in the UK. I used to have an open sports cruiser (canvas covers) but there were few occasions when the weather was so good that I'd remove all of them - and even then, it was still chilly when we were going fast, even with a big windscreen to shelter behind. I imagine that a fly bridge must be a pretty cold place to be even on a warm day. As skippers, we'd soldier on and just put a coat on but what about partners and guests? If they get cold they'd want to go below leaving the skipper on his own wouldn't they? I'm not trying to re-ignite the sports cruiser/Fly bridge debate as both have their pros and cons, I'm just interested in other peoples experiences in the UK with them,

 

[EugeneR]

We prefer the flybridge unless the weather is poor i.e. raining or very windy. Yes it can be windy if doing 20 knots into 20 knots wind, but that is cancelled out by the times the wind and waves are from behind. Most of our guests seem to prefer the flybridge as well.

But it's not just about cruising, it's a great place to relax when at anchor, watching the sunset / bird live / seals etc. It's like an extra room away from the kids, their friends and their xboxes.

And when the weather is bad, I prefer to be in a quiet and solid saloon rather than a flappy canvas tent.

 

[Somerset Jim]

In the summer we drive from up top as much as we can unless it’s raining.

In the winter we rarely use the flybridge other than sometimes for close quarter manoeuvring into and out of the lock because it is just easier speaking to crew and also being able to keep shoes on. It’s also lovely being able to drive from down below with the heating on in the winter months and staying warm.

For the U.K. I think the flybridge gives the best of both worlds.

 

[Nauti Fox]

As others, spend most of the time on the flybridge unless the weather is rubbish, so do the guests, also it's a much better place to be when manouvering and for seeing elusive pot markers, especially the home made type!
And of course, on those balmy days you can always take it easy and enjoy the sunshine...

And the dogs just love it up there......

 

[Greg2]

We have previously had sports cruisers and aft cabin boats so always had a windscreen and canopy that can be removed when it is nice. We avoided flybridges because they can be cold, wet, miserable places in the U.K. and many boats dont have particularly good lower helms - shallow windscreens with a restricted view are a personal dislike.

Our current boat is a departure and we have a flybridge which, it turns out, is absolutely great when the weather is good. An all round view and good lines of sight when manoeuvring and looking for pots etc and all the benefits of being outside. Crucially, for us at least, we have a ‘proper’ wheelhouse that is very usable with good views forward and each side. Nor so good aft but installing a camera will sort that.

So, as Jim says, the best of both worlds and no canopies to phaff around with!
.

 

[markc]

I used to have flybridge boats in the UK and like everything, they are a compromise. I used the boat all year round and nearly always helmed from the flybridge, just needed to wrap up. It was hardly ever warm enough to wear shorts & t shirt! I found the biggest benefit of a flybridge was that the salon & cockpit were a really nice place to be in port, rather than being either down below or in a chilly canvas enclosed cockpit. It felt more home from home than camping, if that makes sense. Considering the amount of time spent in the marina rather than underway, that compromise worked for me. The last boat I had in the UK was a sports boat (Sealine s41), and it did reinforce my preference for a flybridge. In the med where we are now the flybridge makes even more sense.

 

[Solent Sailor]

Love the flybridge, seldom leave it unless its raining.

Most flybridge boats have a counter-angled screen around the forward section - this creates a venturi effect for the air passing over it, ensuring that the wind rises above the helm position at the very least. On our boat, it is noticeable that the helm and those seating at the front experience far less wind than those sat at the back of the fly bridge.

 

[Dino]

My preference is an aft bridge layout like Brooms, Haines and Atlantic’s. A lot of flybridges are very exposed and quite small. The newer Brooms like the 39KL, 42 and 450 have the Trend Marine Pram hood over the front section of the aft deck. This only needs two clips opened and pull the handle.
This layout allows the crew to be together in an enclosed space that is easy to open up in good weather. A lot have heater outlets on the aft deck also.

 

[PlanB]

We had a Princess 435 in the UK for three years before heading to the Med and always used the fly - in the immortal words of (allegedly) Billy Connolly, there is no such thing as bad weather, just inappropriate clothing.

 

[BruceK]

I'm not trying to re-ignite the sports cruiser/Fly bridge debate as both have their pros and cons, I'm just interested in other peoples experiences in the UK with them,

The argument that canvas is cold to justify flybridge is so at odds with my experience. Flybridge+ UK is cold make no mistake, I have never seen anyone on in a t-shirt and shorts except in the very rarest of cases, not so in a sports boat. In my canvas canopy you can set the temp to where you want it by opening and closing various flaps. A well designed canopy can provide so many options it is remarkable. The extra space a flybridge gives goes without question, however what people often miss is that in the sub 40 foot boats it only makes up for the loss of space given to shaft drive engine placement and the resulting salon is also not particularly spacious. IMO unless you are in a 40 foot plus boat a flybridge does not bring much except for lazing about at anchor when the sun is out. In that I am envious at times.

 

[fred247]

Plenty of sub 40 footers with flybridge and outdrives about.

 

[BruceK]

Plenty of sub 40 footers with flybridge and outdrives about.

Noted. Not that it particularly alters the layout much and I have always found that comparatively speaking the salon is narrow and cramped until the boat is large enough to support a 4m beam. Purely opinion but comparitively they just feel pokey and cramped.

 

[Sticky Fingers]

Noted. Not that it particularly alters the layout much and I have always found that comparatively speaking the salon is narrow and cramped until the boat is large enough to support a 4m beam. Purely opinion but comparitively they just feel pokey and cramped.

I agree, I went for a hardtop 40'er with a big sunroof rather than a fly, for all the reasons stated. The saloon on my boat is small and a bit dark, we used the cockpit exclusively last year. Having cockpit heating extends the usage a lot.

 

[IDAMAY]

We very rarely use the Flybridge when on the move but we are based in Scotland at present! We do use it at anchor or in harbour when conditions allow. We have excellent forward and side visibility from the lower helm so I rarely nee to use the upper helm even when docking. I agree with Dino that the Broom, etc aft deck helm, etc makes a very good compromise and has the added benefit of low air draft.

 

[Momac]

I rarely use the lower helm. Simply wear appropriate clothing at the flybridge .
If retreating to the lower helm due to rain this has to be done before getting too wet otherwise the windscreen at the lower helm steams up.
The view out from the saloon beats any view from a sports cruiser saloon.

Can't say I would never return to a sport cruiser as it might suit to fit under certain bridges that I cant presently do. But for now I am a flybridge convert.

 

[Solent Sailor]

I am still slightly mystified by all those saying that you can't enjoy a flybridge in a t-shirt and shorts in UK weather? We seem to manage it perfectly well every summer.

Sure, we get plenty of days when the kids tuck themselves under their sleeping bags on the flybridge to stay out of the wind, and of course we'd like more warm sunny days, but we've even been talking about adding a bimini to keep the sun off on particularly hot days! Perhaps its an age thing. Our kids certainly don't complain and can't wait to get back to some swimming.

 

[Nauti Fox]

I agree, many a happy voyage in shorts and tee shirt.

 

[BruceK]

I am still slightly mystified by all those saying that you can't enjoy a flybridge in a t-shirt and shorts in UK weather? We seem to manage it perfectly well every summer.

See those Blue Skies in the pic. One shouldn't tell fibs on the forum when it's so easy to catch you out. UK weather indeed.

 

[BruceK]

Of course if you only ever use your boat when it's blue skies and sunny then yes, go for a flybridge.

 

[fred247]

I use mine all year round, but it can be fully enclosed with a canopy