This is our first powerboat. We have always had sailboats in the past. We wanted a PH design vs a helm in the salon. I really like the visibility from the PH. It is a very comfortable place, not only when underway, but it provides a nice spot to get away and read etc... when at anchor or at the dock. However, we are in the Salish Sea in Washington State. Like BobnDoc we find that we rarely use the flybridge. The PH is just such a great place to be. Out of the wind and chill (our water temps are always cold) and when it is hot and sunny we are out of the sun. In other parts of the country folks seem to use the flybridge almost exclusively so a PH may be redundant.
If you are looking at new boats, check out the North Pacific 45 Pilothouse. IMO it is the nicest layout for a 45’ PH design I’ve seen.
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