I'm curious if the problem I have on my 1994 C36 is unique and if anyone has come up with a good solution. When me or my mate sit on the seat (teak slatted seat with cushion) that fits in the transom pass through to stear, we are too low to really see clearly ahead of the bow. When we stand, we are too high and have to stoop to see well through the dodger window. On long trips it becomes very tiring and we end up piling extra cushions or even fenders on top of the seat, or just standing the whole way. I'm thinking of fabricating a wood frame booster to replace the standard teak slatted seat, then just putting a West Marine folding cockpit seat on it. Anyone else have this problem? Any better solution?
Thanks
Sam
Capt. Sam Murphy
1994 Catalina 36, Hull 1327
Shoal draft, two cabin model.
Panama City, Florida
Sam,
I've seen a couple of possible solutions to your problem. Here are a couple:
[URL]http://www.c36ia.com/node/1666[/URL]
[URL]http://www.c36ia.com/node/431[/URL]
[URL]http://www.c36ia.com/node/1913[/URL]
[URL]http://www.catalina380.org/projects/bierly-helmseat.htm[/URL]
[URL]http://catalina42discussionforum.yuku.com/reply/9069/captains-chair#repl...
[URL]http://catalina42discussionforum.yuku.com/reply/6519/helm-seating#reply-...
The first three I found by searching "helm seat" on our website. It's amazing the stuff you can find here! ;-)
Tom Sokoloski
C36/375IA Past Commodore
Noank, CT
Hi Sam, this may not be any help to you - but our solution is 95% to use our underdeck autohelm. When in a lot of traffic, or when approaching hazards or docking or when we steer for fun on a beautiful day we stand behind the wheel or sit on the coaming. We never sit on the lazarette (Mk I)
S.V. Wind Star
Rob & Margie Kyles: Auckland ,New Zealand
Mk I Hull #105 1983 Std Rig, Std Keel
I'm with Rob. My wooden seat ('91 MK I) isn't even on the boat, it's in a closet at home. I really like the open space behind the wheel. When hand-steering I like to stand, but usually I am cozied up on the coaming with my feet up and a boat cushion under me & behind me. My favorite spot.
Mike
Deja Vu
1991 MK I # 1106
Marina del Rey, CA
You could lower your dodger. I see so many folks with high dodgers so they have to look through plastic all day long, standing or seated. Ours was low 'cuz the PO was a really, really short guy. Even gave us a stepladder to use to attach the main halyard to the headboard!!!:) I've since installed a mast step.
We like seeing over our dodger, and when motoring around can easily stand behind it and rest our arms comfortably above it and stand and look forward.
I spend as little time as necessary behind the wheel except when racing.
Stu Jackson, C34IA Secretary, C34 #224, 1986, SR/FK, M25 engine, Rocna 10 (22#)
Thanks Tom, Rob, Mike, Stu, All good ideas, except I can't just rely on the auto and sit away from the helms position. Just get too nervious not being at the wheel even on long passages. Here we have to be ready at a moments notice to push the "Standby" button and take over to dodge a crab trap or such. And standing for a couple of hours or more is hard on the 69 yr old knees than ran too many 10ks. So I'm going to go with a solution more like the one's in Tom's list. Only being a real cheap, I mean frugal captain, I think I'm going to make my own booster chair with scrap wood from the garage and add a $60 folding chair on top from West Marine. I tried a mock-up yesterday and it felt pretty good. I think I can make the booster so that it folds up and can be stowed when we anchor.
Thanks for all the good ideas.
Sam
I'll attach some photos when I'm done for anyone who's interested.
Capt. Sam Murphy
1994 Catalina 36, Hull 1327
Shoal draft, two cabin model.
Panama City, Florida
We are a bit lucky with our wide open seas down here ;-)
I'm sure you'll work out a solution - will look forward to seeing it...
S.V. Wind Star
Rob & Margie Kyles: Auckland ,New Zealand
Mk I Hull #105 1983 Std Rig, Std Keel
OK the job is done. Here is my soon to be famous C36 Helms position booster chair. Its light, but strong (tested by a 200 pound friend), foldable and can be made in a day from Home Depot materials.
The legs fold in to make it fit flat and inside either the portside cockpit hatch or the stern lazzeret. There are three struts that are held in place by perminantly mounted 1/4" carrage bolts with wing nuts. Note that the wing nuts can be stored in the plastic flim can screwed into the bottom when the unit is put away. The cushion is a standard folding portable boat cushion available at West Marine. Defender might have them too.
I'll be happy to supply more details to anyone interested.
Sam
Capt. Sam Murphy
1994 Catalina 36, Hull 1327
Shoal draft, two cabin model.
Panama City, Florida
Just have to remove three wing nuts to fold and store.
Capt. Sam Murphy
1994 Catalina 36, Hull 1327
Shoal draft, two cabin model.
Panama City, Florida
Nice job Captain. I like the storage bin for the wing nuts.
Haro Bayandorian, 1999 C36 MKII, Sail La Vie #1787, M35B,
Coyote Point, San Mateo, CA.
Good job, Sam.
Reminds me of the old joke where a powerboater sees a gadget at a boat show and says "I'll take one in every color." The sailor studies it and says, "I bet I could make one."
Duane Ising - Past Commodore (2011-2012)
s/v Diva Di
1999 Catalina 36 Hull #1777
Std rig; wing keel, M35B, Delta (45#)
Punta Gorda, FL
http://www.sailblogs.com/member/diva-di/
I agree Duane, I actually built that thing with pieces of wood laying around the garage and fasteners already in my hardware drawer. The only real expense was the folding cushion from West Marine. (about $40? I think)
But the best part its fun.
Sam
Capt. Sam Murphy
1994 Catalina 36, Hull 1327
Shoal draft, two cabin model.
Panama City, Florida