Helm Seats...why don't dealers get them right!

Nautorius

Nautorius

Well-Known Member
Joined
24 Jun 2003
Messages
5,273
Location
Gibraltar, Small Boats Marina
Visit site
Helm Seats...why don\'t dealers get them right!

A recent report on Boattest reminded me of an observation I often make at Boatshows....the helm seats are rubbish. Apparently the helm seat issues are the number one niggle with owners. Given the relatively small cost of getting them right why are they not sorted out.

The worst seat at the boatshow was on the 35ft Catamaran from Fountaine Pajout...even the dealer admitted they would change it for all UK sales. On a £179k boat it cost £85! Other poor seats were found on the Sealine F34 (for me), Montecarlo 32, and V42!

What are your worst and best seats. Which work better for flybridges downstairs and up!

Cheers

Paul /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
Re: Helm Seats...why don\'t dealers get them right!

Loved the seats on the Windy 32 - really supportive and gave a great view. The other boat for high speed comfort was the Goldfish 30, which gave you the option of standing up with a adjustabvle back rest and side bolsters/

Style wise the Hydrolift look the dogs wotsits, but I didn't actually sit in them /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif
 
Re: Helm Seats...why don\'t dealers get them right!

This one is rated for 10 G vertical accelerations.
You could possibly break the back of your boat sooner than your own... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
tecnoG10.jpg
 
Re: Helm Seats...why don\'t dealers get them right!

The helm seat on the Elling E4 is in my view an example how it should be done.
 
Re: Helm Seats...why don\'t dealers get them right!

I dont know if anyone saw the last London Boat Show Azimut 62.
The flybridge helm position was IMO impossible to actually sit at - no room at all and for such an expensive boat it was rubbish.
I did notice that they have addressed the matter on the SIBS boat and made more room - at least you can use it now but it is still a bench seat.
 
Re: Helm Seats...why don\'t dealers get them right!

I just did some work on the police Botnia Targa so took it out for a test, they have mounted gas damped seats from a tractor in it and what a difference it makes, the Targa will take whatever you throw at it, but the driver can't, but with these seats you could drive into head seas no problem, you just rose and fell smoothly as the Targa headbutted its way through the waves, using the joystick on the armrest to steer.
 
Re: Helm Seats...why don\'t dealers get them right!

If you don't have thrusters then one handed operation is all you need. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
 
Re: Helm Seats...why don\'t dealers get them right!

Monterey 355 did it for me!! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

From the pictures I've seen I think a certain W34 might not be bad either!
 
Re: Helm Seats...why don\'t dealers get them right!

odd boat, the Goldfish.
Windy 32 just looks so damn muscular!
Mind you a 31 Tornado came up behind me into Lymington the other week, and I thought, holy cow, what the hell is that boat! Still looked amazing underway.
Anyone know someone with a Khamsin, by the way?
 
Re: Helm Seats...why don\'t dealers get them right!

Agree with that. It is my No1 complaint too. You get an ergonomically designed adjustable seat on the cheapest car but on a £500k boat you get a non-adjustable flat rubber foam cushion with an upright backrest. The Italian manufacturers are the worst culprits IMHO mostly offering lousy helm seats where style has triumphed over function. Frankly it's beyond my understanding how manufacturers can put so much effort into designing a boat and forget about the helmseat. Even so called proper sea boats like Grand Banks and Trader give you crappy fixed seats
You get decent seats on rufty tufty boats like Marlow, Fleming and AquaStar but 1st prize IMHO goes to Searay for offering decent adjustable helm seats on most if not all of their boats
 
Re: Helm Seats...why don\'t dealers get them right!

Good question and I think you're right about many. I've noticed several poor seats at shows but the No.1 bad helm seat for me was Benteau Swift Trawler 42 Flybridge seat.

More like a cross with something from bus shelter and a patio set! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
Re: Helm Seats...why don\'t dealers get them right!

I brought a Colvic 35 Flybridge version and it had been refitted. On my first trip out i came back with bad back ache. The flybidge bench seat was so far from the wheel that you had to sit on the edge of it to reach. Also downstairs the seat had been placed so high you had to duck down to see out of either side or where you was going and im only 5ft 7. Its all about looks now days not comfort.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top