Folding Helm Seat, lower station

[Max Simmons]

I know this has been covered before, but search does not come up with what I am looking for. I would like to build a folding helm seat for the lower station. As it is now, I either stand or sit on the gallley counter. I want to mount it on the end of the galley base cabinet and to fold down out of the way so we can still go in and out the side cabin door, but would like it substantial enough to be comfortable for operating below for hours. Anyone have pics of what they've done? Thanks

 

[rwidman]

I know this has been covered before, but search does not come up with what I am looking for. I would like to build a folding helm seat for the lower station. As it is now, I either stand or sit on the gallley counter. I want to mount it on the end of the galley base cabinet and to fold down out of the way so we can still go in and out the side cabin door, but would like it substantial enough to be comfortable for operating below for hours. Anyone have pics of what they've done? Thanks

I use a tall wooden director's chair that folds up. I can put it out of the way in the bilge when I don't need it. I've only used it a couple times because it's not very comfortable and it's not fastened down. I would stand up for rough seas.

I can't show you anything, but you might start out by looking at commercially available folding seats and trying to copy the design.

Remember to account not only for the weight of the person sitting in the chai, but the side to side forces you would encounter in rough water.

 

[Carolena]

I don't know the layout of your boat, but perhaps something like this would work (or at least give you some ideas). The link includes directions and several photos of the project in progress: http://www.nentoa.org/ideas/whj_helm_seat.html

Here are pics of the finished seat:

 

[Max Simmons]

Thanks Carolena, that gives me some ideas. I like that it folds down and out of the way. I am going down to the boat this weekend for some measuring and head scratching.

 

[Peter B]

I know this has been covered before, but search does not come up with what I am looking for. I would like to build a folding helm seat for the lower station. As it is now, I either stand or sit on the gallley counter. I want to mount it on the end of the galley base cabinet and to fold down out of the way so we can still go in and out the side cabin door, but would like it substantial enough to be comfortable for operating below for hours. Anyone have pics of what they've done? Thanks

Max, you could have been describing my set-up there, but I have never though to take pics of it, as it is a very functional, albeit not very sexy arrangement, but if I'm down at the boat this weekend, and I probably will be, I will take picss of it, because it does seem to be exactly the type of adaptation you are talking about. it is great to be able to sit down at the helm for longer stints, especially as we drive from there the bulk of the time, but no room to mount a really well-padded permanent helm seat, or access/egress in and out of the pilot door would be tricky, to say the least. Watch this space....

 

[BruceK]

My IG has exactly that, factory fitted. The backrest stays where it is, the hinged base can drop 90 degrees from horizontal, it has 2 support brackets, hinged on the vertical, which rotate in/out 90deg. for support, or not, like a "Pembroke" type antique table with drop down side extensions, if that helps. There is a footrest on the helm bulkhead. Helm door is adjacent.
Could well be copied from a GB.Like Peter, no pics, will try to get some.

 

[AusCan]

I'm interested in the folding design as well.
Mine is fixed in place but fairly small to allow standing room in front but there isn't quite enough room to either sit or stand comfortably.

I am also considering adding a seat belt for rough water. I haven't seen one on a boat before, but I'm not sure why. I would not want to be thrown out of position at a time when absolute control is required.

 

[Peter B]

I'm interested in the folding design as well.
Mine is fixed in place but fairly small to allow standing room in front but there isn't quite enough room to either sit or stand comfortably.

I am also considering adding a seat belt for rough water. I haven't seen one on a boat before, but I'm not sure why. I would not want to be thrown out of position at a time when absolute control is required.

The Dashew's vessel, Windhorse has seatbelts fitted, for exactly that reason. But they go open ocean all the time.
DashewOffshore.com - the serious cruising sailor's website

 

[Codger2]

My IG has exactly that, factory fitted.

My IG is also factory made. It sits atop the refrigerator and the whole seat is hinged so that it can rotate forward where the back of the seat rests on the helm. This creates more counter space when at anchor or in the slip.

 

[Anode]

^^^^^^ Pretty cool Walt! I like it.

 

[rwidman]

............I am also considering adding a seat belt for rough water. I haven't seen one on a boat before, but I'm not sure why. I would not want to be thrown out of position at a time when absolute control is required.

That's an interesting thought. I was going to suggest arms on the chair for the same reason.

In any event, a seat should take into account the lateral force that could happen in rough seas. A normal chair or seat intended for a home or business would only take into account vertical loads. Put a 250 lb. person on the top of a three foot post and send him out to sea and there could be quite a horizontal load on the seat.

My Camano came with a floor socket for a lower helm seat but I was never able to trace the manufacturer or seat. It had a 3" or so post. I removed it and filled the hole when I redid the floor.

 

[Carolena]

My IG is also factory made. It sits atop the refrigerator and the whole seat is hinged so that it can rotate forward where the back of the seat rests on the helm. This creates more counter space when at anchor or in the slip.

That is exactly the way the seat works on our Nordic Tug. The bench on the helm side slides back to give tons of standing room and room to go through the pilot house door, but it also slides forward so you can reach the wheel from the seat. My favorite position is with the seat back, feet up on the helm, and the autopilot remote in hand. The folding seat in the pictures I posted was made by the owner because even when slid forward the seat is still a bit of a distance from the wheel, and quite a bit higher. We do have fold down foot rests. The same seat is on the other side of the pilot house for passengers, but that one is fixed and doesn't adjust forward.

 

[AusCan]

Hmmm, I like it Walt; Looks like I've got another project on the list.

 

[CaptTom]

I am also considering adding a seat belt for rough water. I haven't seen one on a boat before, but I'm not sure why.

The small boats used by the Coast Guard and most other Law Enforcement and First Responders have seat belts. In heavy weather, the CG crews wear helmets, too. And need them.

Keep those ideas for helm seats coming, I'm looking at the same issues as the OP.

 

[Nomad Willy]

I thought of a seat belt too. Could be just an eye bolt fixed to the side of the cabin just left of the helm seat. When it gets rough it's hard to stay in the seat so I usually stand but that gets old after over an hour. I had the thought ther'e must be something unsafe about the idea.

 

[BruceK]

I am also considering adding a seat belt for rough water. I haven't seen one on a boat before, but I'm not sure why. I would not want to be thrown out of position at a time when absolute control is required.

In that weather you will almost certainly be standing not sitting, and won`t need a belt.

 

[markpierce]

The Coot has a folding-leaf bench seat (can sit two) for the helmsman and a cuddling assistant.

 

[dhmeissner]

Helm seat down:


Helm seat up. There is an identical folding seat on the port side.



And a bench behind:

 

[AusCan]

In that weather you will almost certainly be standing not sitting, and won`t need a belt.

Standing for hours on end gets a bit trying. What I currently do after a while is sit at 45 degrees with my foot stretched out against the bulkhead, wedging myself into the corner. Not the most comfortable but it keeps me in my place.

 

[Nomad Willy]

Dave,
I like your seat a lot ..... and the fact that it seats two .... and the rest of the layout that I can see. Great boats those Roughrider's. We had an Albin 25 that had a bench seat for two and have missed it ever since. I love your glossy white overhead too. Never seen a FG boat that had an overhead looking that good ... and nautical too. I'm going to get my adobe flash player installed so I can look at your other pics as well. Thanks for posting.

 

[Codger2]

What I currently do after a while is sit at 45 degrees with my foot stretched out against the bulkhead, wedging myself into the corner.

My brother use to do that in an angry sea & it not only kept him in place, he said that it helped with sea sickness as well.

 

[dhmeissner]

Thanks Eric. Roughwater switched from all wood, to FG hull and wood from the deck up sometime in the early 70's, so what you are seeing is painted wood. Roughwaters have an interesting story and are solid boats.

Both the benches are fixed to the wall then swing up and a single post installed for support. There are two hatch doors that swing open in the pilot house floor for good access to the engine room. The port side seat would have to be in the down position for this. It takes all of 10-15 seconds to lower the seats.

(btw, that's not me in the picture, it's a good friend and crew member)

 

[Peter B]

I know this has been covered before, but search does not come up with what I am looking for. I would like to build a folding helm seat for the lower station. As it is now, I either stand or sit on the galley counter. I want to mount it on the end of the galley base cabinet and to fold down out of the way so we can still go in and out the side cabin door, but would like it substantial enough to be comfortable for operating below for hours. Anyone have pics of what they've done? Thanks

Max, as promised, pics of my folding helm set-up. From what you describe, this sort of arrangement might be what you are looking for. I don't feel the need for a seat belt, but you can get tossed around a bit, and like someone else mentioned, I sort of wedge myself in against the door and seatback if it's rough, and it is quite a stable position. I beefed up the seat after it worked loose after some open ocean stuff over new year, especially as it only has one supporting bracket, albeit a stout bronze one, which swings out horizontally from a position back against the bulkhead to which the seat is attached. It then supports the middle of the seat, where it sits under a wooden fitting which prevents if swinging out past mid way. I think you can see this in the view looking up from below. The other pics are self-explanatory. Sorry the state of my woodwork is not quite so elegant as most, she is a 1975 vintage, and has been well-used.

 

[Alemao]

Before starting my cruise, I saw many helms and did not know of its importance. I now know, after sitting for more than 12 hours. is very important to be comfortable and not simply that of seating.

Sergio "Alemao" Sztancsa, Sent from my iPhone using Trawler

 

[Tangler]

Great ideas- I have no helm seat lower station due to mods made by previous owners who were in FLA. and always drove from the upper station. Here on the wet coast I cant always do that. I have some drawings done but will probably modify them now that I have seen this thread....someone mentioned another project...like I dont have enuf boat projects already!!

 

[aronhk_md]

Another idea leaves a traditional seat or bench behind. Not only do they take up considerable space even when folded, but the design has a bit of complexity. Its doable obviously. But on some boats I have seen even folded down you have to squeeze past them to get through your companionway.

But the other thought is what's called a "leaning post". Its a bolster that props up under your derriere. Heck, you could make the same out of the top of a small padded stool. I have had leaning posts on center console boats in the past, and if I had to guess I can place almost 100% of my weight on it if its the right height, but feet still contact the cockpit sole to steady you. It could be made to hinge back against whatever you have aft of your wheel...kind of like a folding dinner tray does on X legs. Then just drill a hole in those legs to put a pin though in the folded and open positions so it doesn't go anywhere.

Heck, a dinner tray might work if the legs were remade to actually support weight, though I would probably narrow it down. If not there are plenty of commercially available leaning posts of all sizes.

I find that I never actually use the back of a bench or seat anyway if my hands are on the wheel, and honestly being strapped in a seat in bad weather isn't a pleasing thought unless my feet were actually planted too. Never know when you may have to reach for something.

I know when I get around to redoing my lower helm its getting a leaning post that folds out of the way.

 

[Conrad]

On large commercial vessels I've seen bicycle seats mounted on a sturdy post used by the helmsman. Don't know how useful they are, but their footprint would be relatively small. A variation on aronhk's leaning post idea I think.

 

[aronhk_md]

Exactly Conrad, that would be the simplest version, but quite useful when you think about standing for hours. One of my thoughts was a barstool padded seat about 10" across. It could be mounted to 2" aluminum tubing to either swing back against a solid structure behind it or insert into sockets mounted on that same structure behind. If just mounted into sockets the whole thing could use pins or wing nuts to hold together....disassemble and store in a compartment. The sockets are often used in making railings, and party tents, as well as stainless versions for bathroom use for the elderly or disabled