How much time do you spend on your flybridge?

[JohnRob]

Maybe what Hlb was saying was that if you find yourself in some very heavy seas (eg some overfalls, or large standing waves such as in the Swinge/Alderney Race) then you might get wet but you may choose not to engage neutral, descend the flybridge steps and pick up the drive from below. Put some wet weather gear on that you keep up there anyway and carry on regardless. My daughter would be grinning from ear to ear!

 

[hlb]

I must strongly disagree on this one.
As I said, you should blame the arrangement of your internal helm if it doesn't allow you to safely control the boat from there in any condition.There are good reasons why the boats designed to operate under the most extreme conditions have safety belts on the helm seats and self-righting capability!...

..................................................................................

Dunno about self righting, cant remember ever going upside down. The trouble is, it's all about degrees. We do go down stairs some times. Mainly if radar is needed. Yep it works fine at sea. I can drive from down stairs, but it's mostly off instruments, which is fine. The question is, do we like being down stairs, the answer is no. Yep Ive been into Falmouth on instruments only and parked up in the marina, without seeing anything. Could I do it yes. Did I like it. No.

 

[hlb]

Maybe what Hlb was saying was that if you find yourself in some very heavy seas (eg some overfalls, or large standing waves such as in the Swinge/Alderney Race) then you might get wet but you may choose not to engage neutral, descend the flybridge steps and pick up the drive from below. Put some wet weather gear on that you keep up there anyway and carry on regardless. My daughter would be grinning from ear to ear!

Thats more or less exactly what I'm saying, the boats going well, doing 20 knots. Ok it's a bit big dipper weather. Mostly the boat just copes. Theres the odd time, when you have to come down to 8 knots, but still twice as fast as the compitition. Mainly prefer to come down when things are going well and just bumbaling along. Else when it's that ****. OK if driven down to 8 knots, go down stairs, keep the power on, but not to much. You can go through alot of **** at 8 knots that a sail boat cant. In twenty odd years I've nver seen a wave come over the stern, only the bow, then it was just bumparound a bit.

 

[MapisM]

Ive been into Falmouth on instruments only and parked up in the marina, without seeing anything. Could I do it yes. Did I like it. No.

That's exactly what I meant. Of course if you can't see anything, you don't like helming from downstair. But it's the helm arrangement of your boat that you should blame, not the downstair position per se.
Though unfortunately, a good visibility from the cabin helm is rather the exception than the norm, on modern pleasure boats.
Peofessional BoatBuilder in this article (page 30) says that the influence of Italian design on boats (even those built in the US) have made helm stations worse than they used to be 30 years ago...

 

[Hurricane]

Here's an example of why you should drive from the lower helm.
It would be miserable up top but comfortable and safe below.

I think it was about a F7 at the time and I think from behind (from memory)

Anyone on the flybridge would have been soaked.

Video clip

 

[mainshiptom]

100% flybridge

since I do not have any controls down below but my FB is enclosed and warm, find it great to be on FB when in locks ,so easy to pass lines?


Tom

 

[MYAG]

Hello to everyone, I have finally decided to join the forum after a couple of years of raping all the info! Time to contribute..... In 4 seasons of owning my boat, I have never driven it from the lower helm. I suppose its been a waste of money and space really, but there you are.... I guess it ultimately depends on where you do your boating.

 

[Renegade_Master]

Of course on a modern Broom with a protected heated outside helm, its arguably the best set up, outside but warm, easy peasy to get from helm to aft ropes too.

Lets ask Ocean Froggie

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

Of course on a modern Broom with a protected heated outside helm, its arguably the best set up, outside but warm, easy peasy to get from helm to aft ropes too.

Lets ask Ocean Froggie

I agree for N Europe boating particularly with Broom's latest quick release canopy system which means you can open or close up the helm v quickly and with one hand. But for Med boating, I don't think there's enough outside loafing space. Anyone ever seen a sunbed on a Broom?

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

Here's an example of why you should drive from the lower helm.
It would be miserable up top but comfortable and safe below.

I think it was about a F7 at the time and I think from behind (from memory)

Anyone on the flybridge would have been soaked.

Video clip

Maybe it's my eyes but is that water dripping from above the windscreen? Boat is going well though

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

That's exactly what I meant. Of course if you can't see anything, you don't like helming from downstair. But it's the helm arrangement of your boat that you should blame, not the downstair position per se.
Though unfortunately, a good visibility from the cabin helm is rather the exception than the norm, on modern pleasure boats.
Peofessional BoatBuilder in this article (page 30) says that the influence of Italian design on boats (even those built in the US) have made helm stations worse than they used to be 30 years ago...

I don't know about worse than 30 yrs ago but certainly most modern flybridge lower helms are inadequate IMHO. It starts with the helm seat which in many cases is a flat non adjustable bench. I wouldn't necessarily blame this on the Italians but certainly they do not seem to focus much attention on this area. You wouldn't accept that in a £10k car let alone a £500k boat. Perhaps it's asking too much but every flybridge boat bigger than say 35ft should have 2 proper helm seats at the lower helm, adjustable for height and reach and with arm rests or side bolsters to hold you in. In this respect, US boats do tend to be better. Sea Rays always seem to have at least one decent helm seat.
Then there's the controls. At the very least you should be able to reach the wheel, throttles, autopilot and wipers from a seated position but on many boats you cannot. The radar and plotter should be visible from both seats and operable by the navigator from his seated position but again many boats have these units too far away.
Visibility is another big issue and this is where maybe the Italians are better because they have been using one piece bonded windscreens for some years whereas the Brit builders seem to stick with split screens with large mullions that do obstruct visibility. It should go without saying that the helmsman should be able to find a comfortable seated position from where he can easily see over the bow and have a good view to both sides of the boat, even when it is heeled over in a turn, and some sort of view astern. Too often helm seats seem to be set too low in order not to dominate the saloon for styling reasons. Wipers is another bugbear of mine. Is it too much to ask for a range of intermittent speeds or a proper screen wash system? Also, how many boats have good sized vents for demisting the screen or fresh air vents for helmsman and navigator. Not many. You'd be pretty pissed off if a modern car didn't have any air vents on the dashboard or demisted it's screen quickly and efficiently.
I think some flybridge boat builders do now put some effort into lower helm ergonomics but to many, the lower helm is a necessary evil that has to be designed in such a way that it impinges as little as possible on the designers styling concept for the saloon

 

[DAKA]

Here's an example of why you should drive from the lower helm.
It would be miserable up top but comfortable and safe below.


Anyone on the flybridge would have been soaked.

Video clip

Your video is a perfect example of why a flybridge has best of both worlds.
Agreed some would enjoy the comfort below but when I look at the video I just see the amount of water splashing on the lower deck/windows and I would be pleased to be on the flybridge above it-almost dry

There is room for three/four at our front seats which are dry, you have your own ducking space for the odd one that comes over the top, this has to be agreed so you dont all duck into the same space and head butt each other.

The waves land below on your screens that are soaked, spray is sent to the sides.

We have had sea weed hanging from the radar before and stayed dry on the upper front seats.

 

[mjf]

Your video is a perfect example of why a flybridge has best of both worlds.
Agreed some would enjoy the comfort below but when I look at the video I just see the amount of water splashing on the lower deck/windows and I would be pleased to be on the flybridge above it-almost dry

There is room for three/four at our front seats which are dry, you have your own ducking space for the odd one that comes over the top, this has to be agreed so you dont all duck into the same space and head butt each other.

The waves land below on your screens that are soaked, spray is sent to the sides.

We have had sea weed hanging from the radar before and stayed dry on the upper front seats.

I'm with you on this. I spend 99.9% coning from the F/B - in rough wx it affords much better vis and any rough sea can be seen coming and ducked away from. Only if its heavy rain or bitter cold do I abandon upstairs.

 

[Portland Billy]

non at all --- now !

I've had two fly bridge boats, but then realised the fair sex doesn't climb too well on boats - I was left up there doing the nav thingy and everyone else was below in the cockpit with the wine and goodies.
So ten years ago I went the sports cruiser route with a nice big socialble cockpit - for me its the only way to go.

 

[oceanfroggie]

Of course on a modern Broom with a protected heated outside helm, its arguably the best set up, outside but warm, easy peasy to get from helm to aft ropes too.

Lets ask Ocean Froggie

Agree with Deleted User, for northern european weather it's a good set up, warm sheltered one minute, two clips and it's a flybridge wind and sun in yer hair next minute. I don't think it suits warm spots like med though, too much like a green house. In med one needs less internal social space but more external accomodation (ie aft deck under fb and atop).

With our damp climate, I do like having a single helm though with quick access to deck, ropes, etc. Also leaves a lot more space in the saloon. Personally speaking we also like the large bright aft cabin layout with the big low windows. Not a fan of some of the step ladder forward master cabins berths.

This thread though really was about preference for FB or sheltered helms.

Like most here, our last boat was an FB, and I too spent 99% up there, rain hail or snow, and just put on the wet gear. BUT the problem was in N europe weather 70% of the time when I was on top, I on my own because family stayed snug inside below. Now I enjoy company when at the helm, rain, hail, snow or even when it's sunny and we take the lid off!

There is no right or wrong answer to this.

 

[oceanfroggie]

I agree for N Europe boating particularly with Broom's latest quick release canopy system which means you can open or close up the helm v quickly and with one hand. But for Med boating, I don't think there's enough outside loafing space. Anyone ever seen a sunbed on a Broom?

Agree. Some of the newer designs have large open aft decks. They've dispensed with the aft walk around deck coaming on models like the 395 which has made the "hanging" out space in the cockpit massive due to the space saving. Think the 425 has a similar mod pending. They've put outward facing moulded steps on each side of the bathing platform making berthing and boat access easier.

On our last boat I did enjoy driving from the fb helm, but I was more often on my own due exposure to our poor weather, which family didn't endur as much as I was prepared to. Jeepers I remember some heavy weather trips with savage rain and lightening that made me think I was mad being out their in full wet gear!

If we were based in the med though I think it would have to be an FB, but one with a bright full beam master cabin and large low windows.

SUMMARY: FB helm in med climate a sociable place, FB helm in uk climate anti social

 

[Hurricane]

Maybe it's my eyes but is that water dripping from above the windscreen? Boat is going well though

Nop - It must be a bit of an illusion - she's bone dry inside.

This video was taken during one of our long passages - I was in fact asleep below and the wind/sea picked up - even bent one of the wipers.
It was much rougher than appeared on the video.
Anyone on the FB would have been drenched.
Absolutely no point in getting wet if you dont have to.
Just go below and enjoy.

Perhaps you hardy lot like to stand in the garden when its raining rather than inside tucked up in front of the fire???

BTW
Unlike our old boat with Volvo EDC comtrols JW has a means of transferring helm positions without reducing speed. You simply go to the new helm position, push a button, and then set the throttles in the same position as the old helm. Its really easy to change helm positions (on the fly) so we do it more often.

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

Unlike our old boat with Volvo EDC comtrols JW has a means of transferring helm positions without reducing speed. You simply go to the new helm position, push a button, and then set the throttles in the same position as the old helm. Its really easy to change helm positions (on the fly) so we do it more often.

Weird, in the vid it looks like dripping water. I thought it couldn't be right. Yes, the ability to swap helms without slowing down is worth having. Strangely I had it on my last boat, an Azimut, which had Microcommander controls. I have exact same controls on my current boat but it doesn't do the same trick. I guess it must have been an option

 

[KevB]

Lots of high percentages say they are up on the flybridge most of the time. What they fail to say is they are up there on their own as everyone else is inside.

And unless your flybridge boat is bigger than about 50' they look ****.

 

[kashurst]

I had two flybridge boats and have recently changed to a targa/sports boat. the reasons are as follows:
passengers not happy going up and down steps/stairs at sea unless its flat calm
when passengers are moving about I couldn't see them and was always getting someone to check they are OK.
hired a f/bridge in med with barbeque on the flybridge. dangerous to cook on when anchored as every passing boat causes swell that is magnified by the height of the flybridge

I have found with the targa that mooring is really easy single handed as there is little windage and getting from helm to dock is easier too, as no steps to run down before boat blows away. I don't miss the bigger saloon either as we use the much bigger cockpit all the time instead. I have yet to try the new boat in bad weather but I suspect I won't notice the difference as we always sat on flybridge unless weather very bad (I'm a fair weather sailor/coward so we didnt go out then)
Another small plus point I can fiddle with engines etc without getting everyone out of the saloon either.