Flybridge helm only ??

[Shrew]

I use both helms. Arriving and departing from a dock, I'm at the lower....but it's easier with a side-door with a flush step out to the side deck right at the mid-ship cleat. I operate from the lower when its cold or raining.

Any other time I operate from the upper helm. The view is better and it's more comfortable (no seat at my lower helm).

 

[Codger2]

Years ago, I owned a 42-sundeck motor yacht that had no lower helm and a traditional sumbrella enclosed bridge, also with lexan windows. On trip of distance I did was when I purchased her - 400 nms north from So California to San Francisco. As I recall, spray and fogged windows was a PITA,......

If you will be taking spray over the bow where salt deposits impair visibility in sunlight or if there is no adequate means to defog, could be a constant nuisance for longer runs.

I also have my nav station & helm on the enclosed flybridge but I can certainly see the value of a pilot house set up.(If I lived in an area that has frequent rainy conditions, my choice would be for a pilot house vessel, however I live in San Diego and the norm here is sunny and a few clouds.)

For those of you that have full enclosures on your fly bridge & encounter rain frequently (Fogging up your helm area) Try putting 2 removable vents in your venturi. The photo below is of my friend's 48' Ocean Alexander & clearly shows the vented venturi approach. Great in combatting fog but also in providing fresh air on days that it is too cold to unzip the front panel. I have copied the same approach to my Lexan fly bridge but have no photos yet.

Edit: Notice the view...that's polycarbonate! (Makrolon)

 

[jleonard]

I do. I only have a flybridge helm and I HATE the visibility in rain while docking. Even if your enclosure is mint and brand spanking new, you'll still lose a good portion of visibility.

But worst case scenario you could always just roll up a few portions. I've done that.

I don't really like the visibility, but it has never been an issue for me.
Now if it's really coming down cats and dogs and blowing 45 knots, I ain't docking. I'll find someplace to mill around until it lets up. done that more than once.

 

[ranger58sb]

I do. I only have a flybridge helm and I HATE the visibility in rain while docking. Even if your enclosure is mint and brand spanking new, you'll still lose a good portion of visibility.

I'd have guessed visibility aft from your helm would be more about boat configuration, rather than just the flybridge helm. With all that "aft cabin motor yacht" party deck in between you and the stern... I could see where visibility would be challenging.

In ours, "sportfish/convertible/whatever" with the helm at the rear of the bridge, overlooking the cockpit with no obstructions... I can see perfectly. Very easy to see when I'm just about to bounce our dinghy off a pile or some such.

-Chris

 

[Insequent]

The Riviera and Maritimo that I see with fully enclosed flybridge helms often have no windows, just fibreglass, where the lower helm would normally be. They end up looking top heavy and butt ugly. I suspect the 'design concept' arose from those boats usually having their dinghy on the foredeck, completely blocking any visibility from a potential lower helm. To each his own, but for me that is one design flaw leading to another.

I use both helms, but like many here would spend most time below. A raised pilothouse gives very good visibility, and it is more pleasant most of the time. I would not be interested in a boat with only an oxygen tent helm position.

 

[Mako]

There have been quite a few threads about upper versus lower helms, but I think mostly about the safety factor. When you're in deep ocean and the seas are monstrous, being up on that flybridge is very risky. Thinking about standing watch alone up there really makes me nervous. When we were at sea I never allowed anyone on deck alone, not to mention being up on the flybridge. No way in hell I would let my little teen daughter stand watch in the middle of the night out in the ocean by herself up there. I think I would have to tie her down with a harness if I even though about trying to get some sleep.

 

[ranger58sb]

The Riviera and Maritimo that I see with fully enclosed flybridge helms often have no windows, just fibreglass, where the lower helm would normally be. They end up looking top heavy and butt ugly. I suspect the 'design concept' arose from those boats usually having their dinghy on the foredeck, completely blocking any visibility from a potential lower helm. To each his own, but for me that is one design flaw leading to another.

I think that started in the sportfish world, where water over the bow isn't unexpected, and at a time when properly sealing forward windshields wasn't a perfect proposition. One solution was to simply 'glass all that. And then interiors can change accordingly; full-height galley fridges and cabinetry and so forth.

I wouldn't much care for the lack of forward view from inside the saloon either...

-Chris

 

[Ralsy]

Gosh, all these different opinions. I think people who have only a fb helm are ok with it but given a choice would like a main deck helm and others who have both still mostly use the fb but like the main deck helm if required for longer journeys or foul weather and then there's a few who not buy a boat without a main deck / pilot house helm. Most boats are a compromise to some extent. Is a only fb helm a deal breaker if the rest of the boat is exactly what you want. Hmmm, only you can make that decision. ��*��*��*

 

[Avalon36]

We have dual stations and are very glad we do. We spend the majority of our time up on the flybridge but when the weather turns or it is too hot or cold up top, we head below and cruise in the comfort of the the salon. It's great to have options and windshield wipers can be a wonderful thing!

 

[tdomenech]

I have a lower help and NEVER use it regardless of the weather (yes, I HAVE frozen up there before..lol). I know have it enclosed. Just can see much better there. In fact, I wouldn't entertain the idea of buying a boat without a flybridge...but I know some people feel otherwise.

 

[RossWilson]

My Mainship 34T is equipped with upper and lower helm stations, as well as both a bow and stern thruster. The thrusters are great. But what makes them even greater is the wireless remote control that I can wear on a lanyard around my neck. Whether I'm piloting from the upper or lower helm, docking or locking is a piece of cake.


Once forward movement has been arrested and I'm reasonably close to the dock or lock wall, I can calmly step down from the bridge or through the starboard cabin door to finesse the boat alongside. I can secure aft and if necessary, push her closer with the remote.


I've done this several times while operating single-handed, even in windy conditions.


Now, having said this, I much prefer to transit the locks from the lower helm where I'm a whole lot closer to the wall. Visibility has not proven to be a problem, though I typically do my best to avoid foul weather. But in the event it turns somewhat ugly, the 3 windshield wipers in the salon would no doubt help me steer clear of trouble.

 

[RickyD]

My 47' Lien Hwa had up and down helms. Twice I had to move to the lower helm because I was getting beaten up in the Fly Bridge on 8 hour cruises to Catalina Island from San Diego. The rest of the time our weather is normally so good as not to be an issue. My new to me Californian 55 has stabilizers and dual helms. I have yet to need to drive from the lower helm but it has only been ours for 15 months. Still, I would be reluctant to buy a 63' yacht without a lower helm.

 

[Ralsy]

63 Defever is off the cards. ??*

 

[grandbanksbayfield]

I have a Grand Banks 32, second year of ownership. The flybridge is open, but has a wonderful wind deflector. I love it for docking if I have a crew below to deal with the lines, otherwise I use the lower helm. The flybridge is wonderful in good weather and you can see other boats much better in high-traffic areas, but when seas are rough and it is weathering up, we operate downstairs. Another consideration: if you get hurt, or have any mobility impairments, your flybridge with be a PITA, or knees or hips. Older folks need to be able to steer close to the head and the coffee pot. GET BOTH if you can.

 

[BrianSmith]

We have dual helms. In over 4,000 nm of cruising from FL to Grenada, over 3 years, we've piloted from the lower helm twice, for a total of about 2 hours. Caveat: we try not to travel when the weather is going to be crappy. Even when we're traveling and we get hit by a squall, we stay up top. I sometimes think I should remove the lower wheel to make more room in the galley, as it's virtually never used.

 

[mvweebles]

Almost exactly one year ago, went fe San Francisco to Ensenada MX, 500 nms nonstop in 75 hours. It was only a half dozen way points so not a ton of "driving." At night, watch was stood down below. During the day, depended on (1) weather due to open flybridge, and (2) sea life, though the bow was a decent mustering point for sightseeing too. Saw dozens of whales and thousands of dolphin.

Much depends on the boat. Some flybridges are cozy and conducive to hanging out. Some feel detached from rest of boat. Some boats (classic tri cabin) have no other comfortable outdoor space so would be compromised without a flybridge. I personally like the chariot-style behind the PH roof on boats like KK42. Regardless, more to it than just thumps up/down.

 

[Bigsfish]

Boating in the Bahamas and south Florida all my boats had a fly bridge and I would say only a few times in 50 years have I ever needed to run the boat from the lower station. Visibility and just enjoying being in open air are important to me. One advantage having two stations is you have duplicate controls if you need them. For docking I have a remote “docking master “ that controls the FNR of both engines plus the thrusters and also the windless. Makes docking easy. This boat also has a lower station in the cockpit but I don’t use it.

 

[Ken E.]

I'm with Bruce, that upper vs lower is a personal preference. Mine is lower helm where it's warm and dry, especially on long passages in wet, chilly PNW weather. Less roll too at the lower helm. But....on bluebird days, the flybridge is hard to beat. Best situation is to have both.

 

[Captain Joe]

I brought a 28 footer from Long Island to Gloucester MA on a fly bridge. We hit 25 knot wind on the nose and I can say it was not fun. No lower helm.
Also brought my 33 Egg from Connecticut to Gloucester no lower helm. Again hit some weather with rain. Terrible visibility. So now I'm looking for a 2 station helm boat. My opinion upper and lower helm is a must but that is me.

 

[rgano]

I found that while running on the Tombigbee Waterway in October that morningorning fog, or any other time of day fog, deposited on the clear vinyl of my FB enclosure making them OPAQUE. Wiping off with a rag would only help for a very short time. Had I not had the lower station with its wipers and radar, we'd have been in a pickle a lot of days.

 

[rslifkin]

I found that while running on the Tombigbee Waterway in October that morningorning fog, or any other time of day fog, deposited on the clear vinyl of my FB enclosure making them OPAQUE. Wiping off with a rag would only help for a very short time. Had I not had the lower station with its wipers and radar, we'd have been in a pickle a lot of days.

I've had that issue as well on a cool, dewy morning even with glass windshields. Wipers work fine when the condensation is on the outside, but not so much when it's also on the inside. One day on my delivery trip this summer I had to just throw a warm sweatshirt on and run with the center windshield open until it got warm enough to keep the windows clear (at which point it was plenty warm to be fine with the windshield open anyway). Good thing I was only running about 7 kts at that point...

Maybe I should consider adding a fan or 2 to push air across the inside of the glass...

 

[markpierce]

Most of the time I'm shut in the pilothouse because the outside is cool and windy. Will open a pilothouse door when it warms up. Don't like long stairs or ladders and exaggerated boat movement, so a FB is unwanted.

 

[BruceK]

It may not be true of all boats but my understanding is, the FB helm gives a view of all extremities of the boat and is a big plus for docking. Which is nt to say the lower helm doesn`t provide adequate sight of the essential points you need to see for docking.
Unfortunately I saw the OP`s proposed FB helm only buy, is off. Still useful, I don`t recall this depth of discussion previously. Tried Anchorline Brokers, they get some interesting listings? Alaska boats? Some of those won`t need a FB discussion.

 

[ranger58sb]

It may not be true of all boats but my understanding is, the FB helm gives a view of all extremities of the boat and is a big plus for docking.

Even that depend on which boats, which configurations. A typical "motor yacht" (aft cabin, with flybridge) often places the FB helm very far forward, with obstructions so the aft corners aren't visible. Ditto with a typical "sport bridge" or "sedan bridge" (of the Sea Ray, etc. varieties... where the bridge is extended aft for additional seating... and often impaired vision aft.

Very much different from most sportfish or "convertible" designs, where the helm is usually placed all the way aft on the bridge and all four "corners" of the boat are easily visible.

-Chris

 

[Mako]

Maybe I should consider adding a fan or 2 to push air across the inside of the glass...

Fans aside, anyone here have feedback on how effective the heated windows are, such as used in commercial vessels, in controlling inside condensation?

 

[rslifkin]

Fans aside, anyone here have feedback on how effective the heated windows are, such as used in commercial vessels, in controlling inside condensation?

As long as the glass can be warmed above the dew point, they should be very effective. Much like the rear defroster on a car window.

 

[Group9]

I have a Grand Banks 32, second year of ownership. The flybridge is open, but has a wonderful wind deflector. I love it for docking if I have a crew below to deal with the lines, otherwise I use the lower helm. The flybridge is wonderful in good weather and you can see other boats much better in high-traffic areas, but when seas are rough and it is weathering up, we operate downstairs. Another consideration: if you get hurt, or have any mobility impairments, your flybridge with be a PITA, or knees or hips. Older folks need to be able to steer close to the head and the coffee pot. GET BOTH if you can.

A good point. My wife has a type of neurological leg paralysis, that has become much worse in the last few years. She could easily climb to our flybridge when two years ago, but struggles to do it now. If that was all we had, I would be piloting alone from now on.

 

[timb7734]

Flybridge

My last four boats were without flybridges, current boat has dual stations, use the flybridge primarily for evening cocktails, much prefer being out of sun, wind, as well as having heat or a/c as needed.

If I want to go outside underway, I go outside. I have no desire to be exposed for the entire voyage, and I cannot stand Isenglas or what you call clears, for vision or for maintenance.

 

[Mako]

As long as the glass can be warmed above the dew point, they should be very effective. Much like the rear defroster on a car window.

Well the ones I’ve seen have the heater wire along the perimeter of the glass. Was wondering is anyone has experience with them to know how effective they are keeping the center of the pane clear

 

[Mako]

... much prefer being out of sun, wind, as well as having heat or a/c as needed.

If I want to go outside underway, I go outside. I have no desire to be exposed for the entire voyage

Agree with you. After 13 hours at the helm of my buddy’s express cruiser last weekend, even I’m surprised at how incredibly worn out and ugly I look in the last photo of the night.

Glad I’m not a sail-boater!