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Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2011 10:31 pm
by Struts and Rudders
Thanks...
I have been struggling with leaving the flybridge off myself.
I like the express look and could store surfboards and kayaks on the hardtop.
Most likely will put the flybridge back as factory, but who knows at this point.
My concerns are operating around the dock from the lower helm station.
Anyone have any opinion to share?
SRD
1980 F36
Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2011 10:54 pm
by ready123
I operate as little as possible from below.... the lack of visibility (above and below the water) makes me uneasy.
Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2011 11:09 pm
by prowlersfish
I only used my lower helm once in 6 years , There was a F36 for sale a while back w/out the bridge semi custom looked OK
Posted: Tue Feb 01, 2011 10:51 am
by wowzer52
My wife and I both prefer the lower helm for tight manouvers and docking. The only time we use the flybridge is for short periods when we are on long cruises in warm weather, but we boat year round and having the furnace down below and no heat up on the bridge makes the lower helm preferable.
Posted: Tue Feb 01, 2011 11:14 am
by Peter
I prefer the visibility from the flybridge esp in weather.Don't like the fact however that I can't see what's going on in the salon when up top. I have thought about putting in an automobile back-up camera in the salon w the moniter on the flybridge (less than $ 200.00....). I do usually leave the intercom open so I can hear whats going on.worry abit about someone falling while going to the head in heavy weather ( not to mention my horny teenage boys and their girlfriends...
)
Posted: Tue Feb 01, 2011 12:05 pm
by prowlersfish
wowzer52 wrote:My wife and I both prefer the lower helm for tight manouvers and docking. The only time we use the flybridge is for short periods when we are on long cruises in warm weather, but we boat year round and having the furnace down below and no heat up on the bridge makes the lower helm preferable.
No heat on the bridge ?? , I just plug in my west marine heater am I am good to go . I use to run a cord up but I now have 110 up there ,next project ??? A/C ???
Posted: Tue Feb 01, 2011 12:21 pm
by captainmaniac
Visibility is not as good from down below, but not unreasonable (compared to some) for docking - you still have good 360 degree visibility. If you are planning on single-handing a lot the lower station may prove to work better for you - quicker to get from controls to handle the lines (and 0 chance of falling down the bridge ladder in the process).
Posted: Tue Feb 01, 2011 2:50 pm
by gettaway
I drive from below on occasion, however the visability on the F32 is not that great, plus the windows are pretty high on sides.
I used to operate the trawler from below all the time, but it was better set up for lower helm operation, a side door and a little better visibitly.