helm positions

[Renegade_Master]

I was looking at an Azimut 39 yesterday and was disappointed to note that the fly helm was to port including the controls. I like to have my controls in my right hand, possibly because a) thats what I am used to or b) I'm right handed, probably a bit of both.

One could adapt I am sure but seems to me most boats have their controls on the right maybe because the vast majority of peeps are right handed .....maybe?......

The other point which was apparant from this lay out is that I prefer my helm position as its in the middle. This makes it equal when coming alongside port or starboard..

The Azimut is obviously better coming along port side too, but starboard side too must be a little more difficult especially as the controls are to the port of the helm.

Can any Azimut or other boat owners with off set helms, give their opinion.


p.s. talking flys here obviously
(sorry must be Sunday boredom setting in)


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[hlb]

Hmm. My wheel is in the middle, but I always sit on the right behind the big sticks. Both hands on them so left and right makes no difference, cept of course if I crossed hands, then maybe!! So I suppose it's the same for me. Have you thought of standing up when berthing, Then you can see over both sides. Hope this helps.

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Haydn

 

[Renegade_Master]

Of course I stand up when berthing and I use one hand, dont need two (old ground here Haydn) so I have flexibility to lean over and look down the steps to the port aft.
However if one was standing looking back between seat and helm as per Azimut, with the controls as they are RIGHT over on the port side, it must be difficult to stretch over to see tut stb side no?.

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[hlb]

Duno. I always moor starboard to. Thats why tuther sde is always shit up!! You want to book a place on my sea skool, it does get quite full but I feel you need help!!.../forums/images/icons/laugh.gif

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Haydn

 

[boatone]

If you like the boat you'll get used to the helm/controls position. I guess if you dont like the helm/controls position you won't like the boat?




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[jfm]

Imho that layout is not good for med berthing stern to. I would want the sticks to stbd of the wheel, and some space to stbd of the helm so I can stand and face aft with sticks still in right hand

The hattan 56 is exactly the same as the Azi 39. incidentally

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[sailorman]

[http://sc.groups.msn.com/tn/1D/80/brianssailingpictures/2/a.jpg]

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[Deleted User YDKXO]

The helm and the controls on my AZ46 are on the port side like the AZ39. I dont know if it was deliberate design feature or not but the helm being on the port side allows you to look down the flybridge steps and see the stern which is obviously useful for stern to mooring. I agree that the operation of the throttles with your left hand is not natural if you're right handed especially with electronic controls which need quite delicate movements. FWIW, when I moor my boat stern to, I face backwards and operate the controls with my right hand. This puts me more in the centre of the boat so its easier to take a step to either side to check the boat position and still allows me to see down the flybridge steps to the stern

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[Renegade_Master]

Spot on my thoughts entirely

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[Renegade_Master]

thats exactly how I imagined one would do it, I too would use my right hand facing backwards. Its good you can see aft of boat down the stairs

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[longjohnsilver]

Get yourself a bow thruster! Doesn't matter then which hand!!!

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[Renegade_Master]

A thrusters not gonna guide it backwards into the hole or help rearward vision is it. Anyways what you cant mention them things in front of Haydn you'll upset him

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[Chris771]

Never mind Haydn, I love my bowthruster, though he hates them. With a single screw it has transformed manoeuvring in tight spots when there is a stiff breeze.

It is easier to condemn them when you have twin screws on shafts and you can drive it just like a bulldozer.

Chris

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[Lozzer]

Clive I would have thought that the accomplished guitarist that you are would be able to control both hands. In fact I know you can....

If the controls are on the port side use that as the side of referrence...

That Fleming I taught on had dual Throttle and gear levers and zero visibility to starboard so all we did was use the port side for measuring.

You know it makes sense.......

Talk later ref dates...

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[Renegade_Master]

Of ccoursee I ccan conttrol my hhands Loz.

The point I was making really is that a) most people I believe would prefer controls to the right mainly cos most peeps are right handed. b) helm int middle makes a lot more sense. IMHO

p.s. not so easy to use port side for measuring when coming alongside stb side too with helm right over to port is it. Just have to use more mental judgement of vessel width/forums/images/icons/smile.gif



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[Lozzer]

You know I have seen sailing boats with twin steering positions ie, one port one starboard... do you think the sailors have got the right idea???????????????


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[hlb]

Dont matter much where wheel is. Or even if one is supplied, Though it might be an added extra, long as there was auot pilot as standard. But the big sticks in the middle would make good sence, or even body width apart would be ok. And yes Bow thrusters are crap. Less you very measly and only have one engine anyway../forums/images/icons/laugh.gif

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Haydn

 

[boatone]

I only have one engine.........I suppose by your standards that means I am measly? You are probably right but do you really need to say so?

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[Lozzer]

TOSH

Doesnt matter where wheel is... interesting,

So on these super tankers controls in middle thats useful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You would need a motorbike to go and check the sides to see how you are doing..

Bow thrusters are not crap.

They are a useful tool.

It is like say traction control or ABS brakes are crap in a car.

Get real... People make decisions based on this forum, if you say stuff is crap and they listen to you, you potentially reduce the aids that are available to them.

Do you use GPS??? That's crap after all the hand bearing compass and Sextant have been around for years....

await response, might be a while before I reply, playing golf for the next few days whilst we still have 20+ degrees on the costa DS.

Hasta Luego




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[hlb]

1/ dont have a super tanker or motor bike.
2/If two engines Bow thrusters are crap.
3/Abs is crap if
you can drive. Usefull if you cant. But totaly crap whatever in snow!!

Golf!!! A bloke wacking a ball about a field!! No. No comment about that!!



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Haydn