New Helm Chair for Old School

[Gulf Comanche]

Following the advise of another thread on helm chairs, I set out to build my own. First to ebay: 1 new Honda Odyssey leather front seat, cost 85 + 90 shipping (weighs 61 pounds). Then to the machine shop to fix up a mount using the old base, cost 189.23. Total cost $364.23. I tried the auto wrecking yards for seats first but the stuff I found was either trashed or too expensive.

Pictures:
1. Old helm seat
2. New helm seat fresh from ebay w/ old seat next to it.
3. Bottom of new seat.
4. New seat w/ mount fitted.
5. New helm chair installed.

Mike
Baton Rouge

 

[Carey]

Very nice. Beats that $7,000 Recaro or Stidd!!!

 

[Tidahapah]

Sweet as Bro.
Wish I had room for something like that on Tidahapah.
May be too comfortable and I would go to sleep and not keep a proper look out at night.

Looks the goods.

Benn

 

[Gulf Comanche]

Thanks for the compliments. It is a little bit bigger than the old chair, but this should help on the long rides. My shoulders end up feeling like they're on fire after about 5 hours with the old chair. Hope this solves the problem. That thing will lay way back so I guess you could sleep in it.

 

[Steve]

Looks good, comfortable too. I tried something similar with an office chair but it was too big for the helm area on the Stb'd side.
Steve W

 

[Sailor of Fortune]

After Artic Traveler suggested those seats on ebay, I've been watching those Odyssey seats. You did it right! How can you beat spankin new leather seats for under $100? VERY NICE!

 

[Woodsong]

awesome!! What a nice helm chair- think of ALL the weight you can gain now and still fit in your helm chair!

 

[FF]

For those near FL , the Dania Flea Market is the place to look. ST Patty's day this year ?

I got a $1200 helm chair on pedestal , for $150 , NEW!

ULTRA LEATHER is grand in a work boat , sets a whole new theme!

Dont come with out a shopping cart for your treasures!

 

[Phil Fill]

We don't have that much room in the Pilot house for a big helm chair.* Besides with the auto pilot I am not stuck behind the helm and can move about.* So we are going to buy 4 bar stools that can be moved and used in the pilot house and the salon.* *http://www.allbarstools.com/X70-Custom-Stool-3-Finishes-8-Fabrics-FI1091.html*

*


-- Edited by Phil Fill on Saturday 26th of February 2011 11:35:44 AM

 

[hollywood8118]

Phil Fill wrote:

We don't have that much room in the Pilot house for a big helm chair.* Besides with the auto pilot I am not stuck behind the helm and can move about.* So we are going to buy 4 bar stools that can be moved and used in the pilot house and the salon. http://www.allbarstools.com/X70-Custom-Stool-3-Finishes-8-Fabrics-FI1091.html
*




-- Edited by Phil Fill on Saturday 26th of February 2011 11:35:44 AM
*

we had two bar stools at the galley counter...we had a drill that we did when we encountered a big wake... the girls got pretty good at grabbing the stools... a couple times we didn't get to them and they became projectiles!.. I finally installed a* shock cord under the counter that we ran around the backs and that kept them in place... be very cautious with bar stools on board
HOLLYWOOD

*

 

[bshanafelt]

I use 2 metal barstools in the pilothouse for helm chairs. Be sure to get the swivel seat as well as comfortable arm rests - also make sure the cushion is something you can sit in for hours. We recovered the ones we got at Costco and added foam to the backs as well.

To secure them underway, I installed a 3/8" tee nut in the floor, with an eyebolt.

About 12" up the legs there is a welded ring to which I tied up a fairly heavy duty spring and spring clip.

This keeps the chair in place when things get rough, but can also be quickly uncoupled if we want additional seating in the saloon.

Incidentally, this captain unbenounst to him was receiving autopilot help on this cruise.

 

[FF]

After installing the helm chair , install a protective railing in front on the instrument panel.

Feet WILL be resting there , so get with it and make it comfortable.

 

[Phil Fill]

FF wrote:

After installing the helm chair , install a protective railing in front on the instrument panel.

Feet WILL be resting there , so get with it and make it comfortable.

We have some miss matched stools now.* We joined a small group at church that meets once a month at homes, so in the summer we will meet and *MAYBE take the boat out.* So in May we are going to re carpet the boat and get matching swivel captain stools with cushion seats/backs and brass foot rings.* I am thinking of installing a bass foot rail along the helm also.** When out and about we lay the chair/stool not used down as that is where they end up anyway.

*

 

[Gulf Comanche]

Fred, rail already there and ready for feet up.

 

[FF]

and get matching swivel captain stools with cushion seats/backs and brass foot rings.

IF they don't bolt down , use at least a rope tie down from the seat center to the deck.

If someone topples your insurance will go up.

 

[markpierce]

From some of the interior shots posted lately looking like $500/night hotel rooms, it looks like boats are mostly used as dock queens.* One good-sized wave/wake would cause a disaster.

 

[Carey]

Old Stone wrote:
Hmmmmmm - Mark that comment has a familiar feel of deja vu to it, but since you don't state whose interiors seem to bother you, I will just ask you what is wrong with a boater being proud of their vessel and wanting to make it like a home? I know that before I generalized about other peoples boats, I would find out if they are "in fact" dock queens, or, no matter how much "stuff" they have in them, that they may be quite prepared for heavy conditions. Personally, there are two ways I like to comment about other peoples boats - one is to compliment them, and two, simply not say anything at all. In reality, the only boat I even have a right to comment on is my own.

Giving a bit more thought to your comment though, just what is wrong if someone does decide to be a dock queen? At least they are living the life they want, and I am quite sure they are not bothering anyone else by choosing to live that way.

-- Edited by Old Stone on Monday 28th of February 2011 04:32:49 PM

CarlVery well put.


The other thing to remember is that during a photo shoot, the boat likely lays safely at rest. I'm sure that most of us secure loose items underway.


Again, very well said.

*

 

[Tidahapah]

Yeah I suppose that is one of my problems.
Being a live aboard when we come home from our annual winter cruise usuall of a few months duration, the set up becomes homely again.
This in our home marina.
It gets that way that to go to sea for a short while (weekend or day trip) is too much of a bother.
So we don't.

Three for at times Tidahapah looks like she doesn't go any where.

Benn

 

[markpierce]

I wasn't referring to any boat as a "dock queen" whose owner doesn't consider it so.

It is just that some photographed interiors look hazardous "at sea" unless made ready for*the voyage.

 

[FF]

It is just that some photographed interiors look hazardous "at sea" unless made ready for the voyage.


Some are probably dangerous dockside unless on a lake .

 

[Woodsong]

Old Stone wrote:

Hmmmmmm - Mark that comment has a familiar feel of deja vu to it, but since you don't state whose interiors seem to bother you, I will just ask you what is wrong with a boater being proud of their vessel and wanting to make it like a home? I know that before I generalized about other peoples boats, I would find out if they are "in fact" dock queens, or, no matter how much "stuff" they have in them, that they may be quite prepared for heavy conditions. Personally, there are two ways I like to comment about other peoples boats - one is to compliment them, and two, simply not say anything at all. In reality, the only boat I even have a right to comment on is my own.

Giving a bit more thought to your comment though, just what is wrong if someone does decide to be a dock queen? At least they are living the life they want, and I am quite sure they are not bothering anyone else by choosing to live that way.

-- Edited by Old Stone on Monday 28th of February 2011 04:32:49 PM

Bravo! *I am sure Mark didn't mean anything by his comments but love your perspective on dock queen vs. not, etc.

*

 

[Delia Rosa]

We thought about bolting proper helm chairs to the floor, but realized that since our master stateroom is directly below the raised pilothouse, there is a large safety hatch in the floor right where the helm chair would be. *Instead we have lightweight foldling bar stools, which have worked quite well for us - *even in rougher weather!