Modify flybridge helm seating ...?

[Sticky Fingers]

After 10 hours seated at the flybridge helm of my boat this week I have formed a close and uncomfortable relationship with the fly helm seat. It’s an instrument of torture. See pic below, not my boat but identical.

The seat consists of a moulded base with two seat pads and a hoop backrest. I’m wondering how feasible it might be to remove or modify the whole thing and install a pair of comfortable adjustable seats. The helm seat base lifts up to allow standing at the helm which I use when berthing, so I'd not want to lose that capability. Having looked at marine Recaro seats, something like that but maybe 1/10th of the cost...

If anyone has done something similar I'd welcome any input.

 

[stelican]

What about an autopilot?

 

[Sticky Fingers]

Yes got that, works fine, but I need to sit somewhere too!

 

[PCUK]

What makes it uncomfortable that you need to change?
The base look substantial so shouldn't be difficult to rework the whole seat using the base as the foundation.
In fact you could cut off all the upstands and make the base flat and then fit any suitable bench seat.

 

[rafiki_]

After 10 hours seated at the flybridge helm of my boat this week I have formed a close and uncomfortable relationship with the fly helm seat. It’s an instrument of torture. See pic below, not my boat but identical.

The seat consists of a moulded base with two seat pads and a hoop backrest. I’m wondering how feasible it might be to remove or modify the whole thing and install a pair of comfortable adjustable seats. The helm seat base lifts up to allow standing at the helm which I use when berthing, so I'd not want to lose that capability. Having looked at marine Recaro seats, something like that but maybe 1/10th of the cost...

If anyone has done something similar I'd welcome any input.



View attachment 192857

Have a look at what Elessar did on Maia?

 

[PowerYachtBlog]

Probably the only thing I would change is to make a retractable forward lower section, so to have more space in stand up manoeuvring operations.
You can probably change the back rest of the seats a bit by making it more boxy, and more substantial to the beam.

I would not make it any higher as to go over the coamings and looking like a peace of furniture from the outside, an eye sore to what is still a nice looking boat i.e the Princess 460.

 

[Sticky Fingers]

It definitely doesn’t want to be higher. The backrest is terrible. The cushions are very thin. Making the seat more like a car seat would be a major step up. Changing the backrest might be a good start.

@rafiki_ yes I remember that, good suggestion.

 

[Dacha]

sports car bucket seats works well

 

[simonfraser]

Something like this in blue ?

 

[Elessar]

It definitely doesn’t want to be higher. The backrest is terrible. The cushions are very thin. Making the seat more like a car seat would be a major step up. Changing the backrest might be a good start.

@rafiki_ yes I remember that, good suggestion.

A reminder for you.

The standard T46 seats were too low, had no storage and didn’t swivel.

The box is custom made, the seals are ex fairline and recovered.

The raising bolster as noted by PYB is a benefit.

Laterally I moved it too. It is about 8” from the port side when facing forward so the passenger can get in and out whilst the helm is seated.

The swivel has a KISS mechanism. A single bolt to port and when facing forward two stainless bolts with thumbscrews go down into the stainless plate you can see to hold it in place.

 

[Sticky Fingers]

Did the original seat base moulding unbolt to leave the white piece that’s visible? Or was that a mod too? I don’t know exact;y what I’ve got, need to look at it properly.

 

[benjenbav]

After 10 hours seated at the flybridge helm of my boat this week I have formed a close and uncomfortable relationship with the fly helm seat. It’s an instrument of torture. See pic below, not my boat but identical.

The seat consists of a moulded base with two seat pads and a hoop backrest. I’m wondering how feasible it might be to remove or modify the whole thing and install a pair of comfortable adjustable seats. The helm seat base lifts up to allow standing at the helm which I use when berthing, so I'd not want to lose that capability. Having looked at marine Recaro seats, something like that but maybe 1/10th of the cost...

If anyone has done something similar I'd welcome any input.



View attachment 192857

Looks to me like there’s a lack of lumbar support. An alternative to replacing the whole arrangement might be to remodel the hoop to address this.

I don’t think the absence of lateral support is likely to be much of an issue in a substantial f/b cruiser.

 

[Sticky Fingers]

Yes agree, and the seat pad could benefit from re-upholstering and new padding. I need to have a proper look at it.

 

[Elessar]

Did the original seat base moulding unbolt to leave the white piece that’s visible? Or was that a mod too? I don’t know exact;y what I’ve got, need to look at it properly.

The white base is factory. I wish it wasn’t there but it was a lot of extra work to remove.

 

[colhel]

After 10 hours seated at the flybridge helm of my boat this week I have formed a close and uncomfortable relationship with the fly helm seat.

Of more interest to me, where are you that took 10 hours? I'm guessing, Falmouth? Jersey? Thames?

 

[Sticky Fingers]

Of more interest to me, where are you that took 10 hours? I'm guessing, Falmouth? Jersey? Thames?

Swanwick to Weymouth planing most of the way there, then Weymouth to Swanwick at tickover, with the tide assisting both ways.

 

[Mr Googler]

Swanwick to Weymouth planing most of the way there, then Weymouth to Swanwick at tickover, with the tide assisting both ways.

https://www.agbaltic.lt/boat-seats/

Drop there’s guys a Mail. I bought from them about 6 years ago the prices then were super low (Lithuanian company). You might be able to fit a couple of seats on the current base as is or do some modifications and glassing…..which would then be covered by new seat/s anyway

 

[Sticky Fingers]

https://www.agbaltic.lt/boat-seats/

Drop there’s guys a Mail. I bought from them about 6 years ago the prices then were super low (Lithuanian company). You might be able to fit a couple of seats on the current base as is or do some modifications and glassing…..which would then be covered by new seat/s anyway

Wow that's incredible, what a choice! Thanks.

 

[colhel]

Swanwick to Weymouth planing most of the way there, then Weymouth to Swanwick at tickover, with the tide assisting both ways.

This was Thursday morning just after 10am. My friends in his very nice Triana Tanterella just going out of shot (he was back on his berth at East Cowes at 12.30) and me just coming into view.

 

[Elessar]

Swanwick to Weymouth planing most of the way there, then Weymouth to Swanwick at tickover, with the tide assisting both ways.

When at d speed for any distance I rarely sit n the helm seat.
Usually feet up in the fly dinette with drinks and snacks!