ranger58sb
Guru
So how does that become smart when the designer puts on a FB?
After about the third time you wrap a crab pot warp around your shaft. Especially if one of those times happens to pull the shaft out of the boat.
-Chris
So how does that become smart when the designer puts on a FB?
Opinions Opinions,
But I'm glad some PO whacked the FB off Willy. Considered it a positive feature when I bought the boat. A good boat will have an excellent lower helm. But there are some that don't. The weight aloft is very objectionable IMO and can do w/o the windage too.
Think about it. If you were designing the best boat you could and someone came along and said "naw that's not best .. Lets raise the CG and put a sail up to challenge the skipper when maneurving around harbors". "And lets put the people where rolling motion is severe at times and at least maximum"
Clearly a stupid thing to do. So how does that become smart when the designer puts on a FB?
After about the third time you wrap a crab pot warp around your shaft. Especially if one of those times happens to pull the shaft out of the boat.
-Chris
Mark, believe it or not, I prefer the ladder over molded in steps (the ladder is easier for the wife & me) & the "deck view can't compare with the fly bridge view!
But a FB boat is an inferior boat.
It is, however a better toy.
Come on, Don! A lot of fly bridge boats have protection from the sun & weather! (Not to mention great visibility when in close quarters.)
i share your thoughts entirely. When we found the boat we wanted that had 90% of everything we wanted, molded in stairs were missing! This concerned me at first (I'm 75) but after climbing the ladder a few times (The hand rails & hand holds were precisely placed) the worry disappeared. Another benefit of the ladder is that when in the salon, we have a much greater view out the back of the boat....no molded stairs wiping out about 30% of the view. (On most boats.) Molded in stairs are nice (IMO) but finding the boat with the most desired features was priceless!I'm generally stairs over ladders, but not when it comes to your ladder. It's really quite nice and is better than most stairs.
Eric, thanks for the very negative comment.Clearly a stupid thing to do. So how does that become smart when the designer puts on a FB?
Thanks, Craig! I really appreciate that comment as most owners really love their boats. There are some, however, that have never owned a fly bridge boat that have no actual knowledge as to the benefits! (The negatives are obvious.)Walt the picture with your wife at the helm says it all. Glad you two have your boating mojo firmly intact.
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Another excellent post as we get closer to our next boat and one which I'll keep in mind. This month I'll turn 60, and while I stay in pretty good shape I do get concerned about the active boating window closing. That you're 75 is very encouraging. Your ladder has a better angle than most and definitely better tread size. As mentioned above the handrails are nice!i share your thoughts entirely. When we found the boat we wanted that had 90% of everything we wanted, molded in stairs were missing! This concerned me at first (I'm 75) but after climbing the ladder a few times (The hand rails & hand holds were precisely placed) the worry disappeared. Another benefit of the ladder is that when in the salon, we have a much greater view out the back of the boat....no molded stairs wiping out about 30% of the view. (On most boats.) Molded in stairs are nice (IMO) but finding the boat with the most desired features was priceless!
What a great thread you all made! The responses have been excellent and very helpful. Reading through every post allowed me to say, 'yes, me too' or 'no, that's not me.' In the end, it seems the lower helm or pilothouse is a matter of preference rather than necessity.
Again, to all who posted and who might post, from me and all who read this thread, thank you very much for your contributions.
But a FB boat is an inferior boat.
It is, however a better toy.
How can you not love the thoroughness of a BandB reply?There's a factor you may be overlooking as your original post said "other than weather." Well we can't exclude weather. In upper helms you have two choices-either an open bridge or hard top and enclosed bridge, whether walls or canvas enclosure. Completely open brings the weather into play and isn't very good for bad weather conditions or even moderate cold. That is what chases us inside. Or if you got the enclosed route, there are issues. First, full enclosure is a bit contrary to the openness and pleasure of a bridge. However, the bigger issue is air draft. For coastal cruising not an issue although does mean waiting for some bridge openings. If a Loop is in your plans then it becomes a major issue as 19'1" is the limit. Some hard tops clear and some don't. Even for those that do, they often put electronics on the top and they won't clear.
Erie Canal in May would be a great example. It was too cold to enjoy an open bridge. Yet, air draft is a big issue in the 20-22' range depending on water levels. We do have a hard top with full enclosure. However, we couldn't do it with the standard hard top and most would not want to go through what we did which required a custom hard top and enclosure and a major modification to the arch and mast so the electronics and mast could be lowered. 19'1" becomes a big challenge on a hard top fly bridge boat.
This is the second time in this thread the subject of age has come up and both times it has really helped me out. I'm going on 60, and I don't know many boaters much older than I am. Makes me think the window is closing. Among other things, I do 60-80 leg presses every day for just this reason. Posts like yours do me a lot of good.We have a nicely angled ladder up to a huge fly bridge. We climb that ladder at least 10 times a day. You need to look at it as exercise. The fly bridge is a joy, the exercise is priceless. I'm 74 and climbing that ladder is easy. I'm still looking for that next bigger boat.
My good buddy is still living aboard with his wife and climbing to the fly bridge every day. BTW, he's 87. If you want to stay in shape this is one helpful way. The view from the top is amazing.