How much time do you spend on your flybridge?

[Granthsmith]

As the title says, how much time do you spend on your flybridge? Do you wish you didn't have all that windage as you spend all the time at the indoor helm given the joyous british weather or do you live 'up top' with the wind in your hair all day long trying to top up your tan? (I'm assuming use as a coastal cruiser here)

A fun question with a serious purpose as I'm trying to determine whether at the same price, to go the sports cruiser or older flybridge cruiser route.

 

[hlb]

99.9%

 

[sunquest]

ditto 99.9% only the heaviest of rain forces me to retreat below

 

[Alrob]

most people I know move up from a sports cruiser to flybridge myself included - if that helps

 

[mikesyam]

100% when its warm and sunny then 100% downstairs when its cold and wet with the heating on.
The best of both Worlds, would never go back to a sports cruiser.

 

[Doghousekeeper]

Has to be pretty bad to force me down below

 

[jfm]

As the title says, how much time do you spend on your flybridge? Do you wish you didn't have all that windage as you spend all the time at the indoor helm given the joyous british weather or do you live 'up top' with the wind in your hair all day long trying to top up your tan? (I'm assuming use as a coastal cruiser here)

A fun question with a serious purpose as I'm trying to determine whether at the same price, to go the sports cruiser or older flybridge cruiser route.

Yup, 99.9%. Even when I was in the UK. Only drive downstairs if lashing rain

 

[SpottyDog5]

FBs are best for visibility, plus I hate canvas.

 

[tinkicker0]

As much time as possible, more so now I added an extra large beer fridge up there ya'll.

 

[volvopaul]

Always 100% unless its raining heavy, unless the wiper are good its hopeless trying to see whats out there, the busy solent isnt the place to helm downstairs, also mooring up and leaving your berth is a lot easier from up top.

Most people I know love the idea of a sports cruiser, its the canvas that spoils most sports boats, id love a V45 hardtop......now thats another story!!

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

Being a wuss, if its wet or cold I retreat downstairs but otherwise I drive from up top. Thats the beauty of a flybridge boat. You have the option to drive from below where it's dry and warm or when its sunny or you need the extra visibility, say for close quarters manouvering in a marina, you drive from the flybridge. The other advantage of driving from the flybridge is that it is much easier to guage the strength and direction of the wind when mooring

 

[JohnRob]

100% unless its really unpleasant. Wind in the hair (well, sort of), great viz, easier mooring. Even in the marina, it's a great place to lounge around, the elevated view is great.....unless there's a bigger f/bridge moored next door!

 

[admillington]

99.9% as well - you simply cannot beat the visability from the Flybridge.

 

[DAKA]

ditto-99%

Only hail storms force me below.

 

[Tremlett 15]

99.99%, as others say: great vis, wind on yur face, but we never get rain in Northern Ireland....!!!!

 

[hlb]

We might go down stairs for a while, if it's calm and were doing 100 miles or so, just to get some food and a cup of tea. Only tend to do it if miles from anywhere and nothing about. If it's rough we are upstairs to see whats going on, if it's sunny it's the best place.

Can you believe loads of folk go downstairs to go in the marina. Whats all that about??

 

[Divemaster1]

Simple really...

If nice ... upstairs
If not nice... downstairs

Best advise I can give is to make sure you can see & helm well from below as well as from the top... If you struggle from below, in any conditions something is wrong!!

Not disputing that on fly gives better visibility all around, but you should be able to manage any flybridge vessel from both helm positions..

Now, in respect to time at which helm position, I'll put down 50/50.... but then again I was rather selective when choosing a boat ....and The Solent is not my cruising ground..

 

[MapisM]

Can you believe loads of folk go downstairs to go in the marina. Whats all that about??

Simple, that's the most convenient place to help the crew with the lines when shorthanded, particularly if there's also a side door.

 

[MapisM]

Oh, and in answer to the OP: as Divemaster says, upstairs with nice weather and downstairs with rain, cold, or at night.
Therefore, the percentage depends on the cruising habits.
One thing is for sure: if the internal helm doesn't make you confident enough to helm the boat from there in any condition, then it's not a proper helm.

 

[longjohnsilver]

Simple really...

If nice ... upstairs
If not nice... downstairs

Best advise I can give is to make sure you can see & helm well from below as well as from the top... If you struggle from below, in any conditions something is wrong!!

Not disputing that on fly gives better visibility all around, but you should be able to manage any flybridge vessel from both helm positions..

Now, in respect to time at which helm position, I'll put down 50/50.... but then again I was rather selective when choosing a boat ....and The Solent is not my cruising ground..

I'd agree with all that, I spend as much time downstairs as up cos of weather conditions, why be wet and uncomfortable when you don't need to be. And visibility from downstairs is excellent so driving from there is pleasant, not a real pain.

However I would not be without the fb, nothing better on a lovely sunny day. But where it really comes into its own is when entertaining or relaxing, I love it up there.