Trojan Boat Forum

Does anybody know if the late model 1989 F36 had Dual Helm stations... It does not appear that they did....

What is the reason for this?

For those of you that currently have an F36.. Do you use the lower station and can you safely operate the vessel from this location?


Thanks
Brian

I have a 1973 F36 with dual stations. I've used the lower station only twice. Once in the fall when temp dropped into the 40s and I needed to make a run up to the gas dock. It was perfectly fine to operate from the lower helm. The other time, it was raining cats and dogs. I scurried down to the lower station to get protection from the elements (and thought the wipers might help me). Even though the lower helm has fan trying to keep the windshield clear, within about 15 minutes, it fogged over and I couldn't even see the bow railing. We sat for about an hour till the weather passed.

If it were me, I wouldn't worry about not having a lower station. I'd take the extra space in the salon and store some foul weather gear in the closet.

Mitch

I have duel station on my F30 and have never used the lower station. I boat in the Sacramento Delta and there can be logs and other things in the water you don't want to hit.......the flybridge offers excellent visability in all directions where the lower helm limits forward visability considerably.........

I have only used it once when my gear control broke . it is nice to have when working on the engines . but I rather have a big LCD tv there .( It still may happen)

Here is another point of view on the lower helm.

I have a F32 with a lower helm station and every time the weather gets crappy on a long trip and I have a few guests on board we all go down and I pilot from the salon area. There is less movement in rough seas from there and I can hear everything from engine issues to bilge pumps to guests knocking things over in the galley. The other big thing is the isenglass on the bridge doesnt offer great visibility in heavy rain so even though the bow is up more in front of me from the lower helm, the windshield wipers more than compensate. Plus my boating season can even go into the winter months with my cabin heaters going.

It would take alot of convincing for me to give up the lower, but thats mostly because I have set my style of boating around it. I love it.

I never used the lower helm until recently. When the autopilot is on, once in a while I'll go downstairs to...well...get a another beer or something. Out in the Gulf, a crab trap or something would come up and I could grab the lower helm and steer around it. After a while, I just started staying down there. Kinda comfy...but really easy to get distracted, fall asleep or start watching the TV instead of the road!

Tony in Sw FL
1982 F-36

we just bought clear lexan windshields for the bimini and side curtains,, I hate driving from down below.. make me feel like a snail boater

Hey Buknekkid,

Did you see that F-44 that sold in Ft. Laud. last summer for only $75k? It had triple nickels in it...otherwise it was pristine. The guy used it for a charter boat for 15 years without a problem. I only see this one in MI still for sale now. Love that model:

http://www.yachtworld.com/core/listing/ ... 55969&url=

i have to get a reasonable price for ours, then low ball someone with diesels. Its cheaper than paying for the fuel I use..

Buk, What would you sell yours for? anyprice in mind?

Canadian prices are in the $50 to 60K but the market says lower it would sell for the cost of my Crusader XLs probably

Do you have pictures of it finished? I see the pics of it in progress you have done a fine job... but I don't see any with it done..

its a boat ITS NEVER DONE!!! Im in the construction business and when Im not building something on land I do it on water,, email me ,, buckknekkid@hotmail and I''ll send some pics on the water..http://www.barclaydevelopments.com/temp ... CF0002.JPG

cuppa wrote:Do you have pictures of it finished? I see the pics of it in progress you have done a fine job... but I don't see any with it done..

http://www.boatdesign.net/forums/showth ... post186332

"Does anybody know if the late model 1989 F36 had Dual Helm stations... It does not appear that they did....

What is the reason for this?"

My guess would be that it's less expensive having a wetbar.

"For those of you that currently have an F36.. Do you use the lower station and can you safely operate the vessel from this location? "

I have the F32, same configuration. I always drive from the flybridge. Although I have complete coverage up top with my enclosure. The sense of being right there in the center of the boat with equal visibilty all around makes it more comfortable, to me.
If I drive from the lower helm, I first need to remove my windshield cover. Yes it's safe...To each, his own I suppose.