I'm not really sure which area to post this in. We purchased a 2002 MKII about a year ago. Boat is in wonderful condition, and I've learned that the previous owner was meticulous and knew what he was doing, so there isn't much to improve upon. However, the Dodger height is a little awkward for me. It works for the rest of the family, but the top of the dodger is right in my line of site, so I have to stretch upward or slouch a little if I'm directly behind the wheel. The dodger and glass are in great shape, so they are going to be around for awhile.
Any ideas or solutions? Maybe somekind kind of cushion on the deck to raise me a few inches, but I don't want something that's going to get in the way when moving around back there.
Have the same issue on our boat. I stand 5'11" /180cm; were the dodger higher, it would interfere with the boom, were if lower, would impede access to the companionway. But after a decade with our boat, I've largely just acclimated to it. And in actuality, I don't spend a great deal of time standing at the wheel once we're out of the harbor; either I'm sitting to steer or the boat is on auto-pilot (and with our wireless remote control for the auto-pilot -- see this thread: www.catalina36.org/forum/general-discussion/wireless-auto-pilot-remote , available at www.madmanmarine.com -- I can handle steering and tacking from anywhere on the boat by just pushing buttons to tweak the auto-pilot). So its largely faded as an issue.
Matthew Chachère
s/v ¡Que Chévere!
(Formerly 1985 C36 MKI #466 tall rig fin keel M25)
2006 Catalina Morgan 440 #30.
Homeported in eastern Long Island, NY
One daughter looks under, I look over, barely, other daughter stands on one of those square life pads. She stands on the seats when getting back into the slip. I singlehand much of the time and use the wireless remote extensively. The removable seat has been under our house since we bought Jubilee 11 years ago.
Al Fricke
S/V Jubilee San Francisco Bay
Catalina 36' MkII #1867
Universal 35-B
I have the same challenge. But, I have a variety of helm positions that minimize it.
I like sitting in the stern rail seats and steering with my foot on the wheel.
Sitting feet forward on the cockpit commings is a great way to stretch lower back and leg muscles. In this position, you can lean against the stern rail/life lines and conserve some energy in choppy seas that would be needed to constantly keep balance.
Lean your back against the boarding ladder and that will lower your line of sight.
In rough conditions, I stand at the helm. Also, full standing height is the best position to navigate the many lobster pot buoys in the area.
Paul & Wendy Keyser
"First Light"
Rye NH
2005 C36 MKII #2257
Wing, M35B