Sky lounges showing up everywhere?

[caltexflanc]

Originally Posted by markpierce

I'm not a fan of climbing a ladder or stairs to a second story nor the exaggerated motion of a flying bridge underway. A flybridge can be useful at the marina if one doesn't mind the additional windage when leaving and arriving and reduced access to dock and docking lines.

They're not that bad on the right boat. We love FBs, but no way could we have one as the only helm.

Note that it is the configuration of choice for heavy duty blue water sportfishers. Those captains manage pretty well with a crew on one or none.

[Art]

Read first several posts... but not all of em. Here's my take on it...

Seasonal conditions as well as geographic general weather conditions have great effect as to what/where to "generally" pilot from as well as to how pilot stations are outfitted and/or placed. Reasons for using boat also play heavily into things as well.

In our generally gentle climate we simply love having wide open flybridge with bimini for sun shade; e.g. boating spring, summer, fall. Being as I've previously experienced breakdown to steering capabilities in one of two locations on a boat... I am firm believer in redundancy of steering locations on a boat. Also, in our boat's circumstance of non weather-protected flybridge it is only smart to have fully outfitted pilot station in salon too. Amount of room it takes up is approx 2 +/- sq. ft. floor space; we can live with that! Salon wheel is good item to hang things on as well as dashboard OK for hats etc. Can be cleared and activated in seconds if needed.

I'd say we pilot from flybridge 99.5% of the time.

[texasnielsen]

Originally Posted by ssobol

Boats with flybridges/upper cons enclosed with Isenglass are called "bubbletops" in my area.

In my cove they call'em oxygen tents.

Two winters ago I replaced all of the canvas and isinglass. When Spring came along I started to remove the isinglass as was customary (just the bimini normally remained in place). Thinking about storage (scratching in spite of cotton sheets between everything, creases in spite of being rolled, etc.) we decided to leave them hanging. The canvas maker was kind enough to also provide new plastic straps to use when they are rolled up while hanging from the canvas. That meant plastic against plastic again so we initially deferred using them. Then I thought about the sheepskin "covers" I've seen used on auto seat belts. Went online and found some imitation ones that slipped over the plastic holders as a sleeve and they have worked perfectly being rolled up. That's when we are not running the stand-alone 12K BTU A/C unit we now use to extend conditioned space outside the saloon. My photo in the signature area was taken in July. Was very comfortable temp. wise.

(When away from the slip I run the EG continuously as our fridge is 110V only. So running the A/C is a "why not!" decision).

Last summer was mild in my part of the State (not many days in excess of 100 degrees) so we will have to see if the sky lounge as conditioned space works as intended this summer.

[sunchaser]

The number of vessels built in the 50' plus size range without a lower helm is very large. These are seldom pilot house designs but rather sport fishing or cruising yachts as previously noted.

The pilot house on most Nordhavns is equal if not higher than the aforementioned vessels upper (only) helm. The lower helm on many large yachts is way up there too. Get those rulers out.

[dhays]

One thing that I have started to see more of, and would really like, is a hard top Bimini over the FB.

[O C Diver]

Originally Posted by sunchaser

The number of vessels built in the 50' plus size range without a lower helm is very large. These are seldom pilot house designs but rather sport fishing or cruising yachts as previously noted.

The pilot house on most Nordhavns is equal if not higher than the aforementioned vessels upper (only) helm. The lower helm on many large yachts is way up there too. Get those rulers out.

Worth noting, the overwhelming majority of those boats are driven by younger professional captains and crew. Don't tend to see a lot of sportfish driven by people on Social Security.

Ted

[BandB]

Originally Posted by dhays

One thing that I have started to see more of, and would really like, is a hard top Bimini over the FB.

Hard tops are becoming more the norm. People are turning negative toward canvas bimini's.

[cardude01]

My “sky lounge”.

[caltexflanc]

Originally Posted by O C Diver

Worth noting, the overwhelming majority of those boats are driven by younger professional captains and crew. Don't tend to see a lot of sportfish driven by people on Social Security.

Ted

That's not the case in these parts at all. Must of the captains and owners are quite mature. People not inclined to trust their multi-million battle wagons to inexperienced youngsters let alone finding and manuvering to where the fish are and landing them. The deckhands, sure.

[BruceK]

Riviera and Maritimo are big on fully solidly enclosed flybridges. They come with aircon. A lower helm version is probably a special order.

[O C Diver]

Originally Posted by caltexflanc

That's not the case in these parts at all. Must of the captains and owners are quite mature. People not inclined to trust their multi-million battle wagons to inexperienced youngsters let alone finding and manuvering to where the fish are and landing them. The deckhands, sure.

Most sport fishing boats are not run by people on Social Security. Whether they are the owner or a captain, most are not 65+.

Ted

[Simi 60]

Originally Posted by OldDan1943

The further up you go, the further you are from the head and that could be disastrous of you are like me, a little old man

We have a second bathroom upstairs.
Doesn't everyone?

Our sky lounge is a king sized bedroom with a private balcony.

[cardude01]

Now that’s a sky lounge!

[sunchaser]

Originally Posted by BruceK

Riviera and Maritimo are big on fully solidly enclosed flybridges. They come with aircon. A lower helm version is probably a special order.

I heard it here Bruce, you're too old and stodgy for a Riviera or Maritimo with an enclosed upper helm. But if per chance you acquire one let us know so we can do another Opera House pass by together.

[FF]

I have often thought an old river excursion boat , mostly glass from end to end would make a fine conversion boat.

Lots of light , good at manuvering, seldom need a bridge opening reliable commercial grade equipment..

[South of Heaven]

Simi: Your boat looks impressive! Any more pics or videos? Do you live aboard?

[Art]

Originally Posted by FF

I have often thought an old river excursion boat , mostly glass from end to end would make a fine conversion boat.

Lots of light , good at manuvering, seldom need a bridge opening reliable commercial grade equipment..

Fred - That sounds like pretty good thinking. Do you have photos of "river excursion boat" similar to as you mention?

[OldDan1943]

Originally Posted by Simi 60

We have a second bathroom upstairs.
Doesn't everyone?

Our sky lounge is a king sized bedroom with a private balcony.

Some people have boats without a head and you are bragging about having more than one? TEASE

[Simi 60]

Originally Posted by South of Heaven

Simi: Your boat looks impressive! Any more pics or videos? Do you live aboard?

Thanks, we like her.

This one was converted at the same time as ours in early 2000s and had an extensive refiit recently.
Pretty much same same as ours but shinier.
We have no water maker but do have large tankage.
We have a lot more solar
We have an 855 Cummins vs the 6lxb Gardner

https://yachthub.com/list/boats-for-...cruiser/206741

We do live aboard full time on anchor.

[Woodland Hills]

Originally Posted by FF

I have often thought an old river excursion boat , mostly glass from end to end would make a fine conversion boat.

Lots of light , good at manuvering, seldom need a bridge opening reliable commercial grade equipment..

Sounds like "Albula" and she is for sale in Florida and on YW. Look for single diesel, 59', composite construction.