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Raised Helm Or Not?

Posted: Mon Dec 13, 2010 10:13 am
by Looney Tune
For $950.00 we can get a raised helm on the boat we have on order. I'm short and I thought this would be advantages but now I'm thinking it looks like something that is going to narrow the passage way because it sticks out several inches and something to kick and stumble on. Also for it to work they have to move the helm forward 9 inches in order to install the standard rod locker that goes behind the captains seat. This will reduce the size of the couch in front of the helm from 33 inches to 24 inches.
I'd like to hear some of your expert opinions. Especially if any of you have a raised helm.

Re: Raised Helm Or Not?

Posted: Mon Dec 13, 2010 10:29 am
by lakerunner
I love the raised helms. When you have a crowd docking is hard from lack of visibility.

Re: Raised Helm Or Not?

Posted: Mon Dec 13, 2010 11:07 am
by The_Hellbilly
Don't have one, but I have been told that it makes it easier to access the wiring.

Re: Raised Helm Or Not?

Posted: Mon Dec 13, 2010 11:09 am
by jimrs
I found the same problems with the raised helm. While docking with a bunch of people on the boat I found standing is a good solution, while yelling at them to sit the f&%k down.

Re: Raised Helm Or Not?

Posted: Mon Dec 13, 2010 1:43 pm
by oldmn19
Depends on how important the seating space you will lose is? I personally stand when docking so I can move around if needed and as above yell at the looky loo's to seat down! Seems the first timers especially want to see the dock, I guess to see if your going to hit it! Go figure!

Re: Raised Helm Or Not?

Posted: Mon Dec 13, 2010 2:35 pm
by Bill1031
When I bought my boat it was an option also. I looked at another one that hd the raised helm and for me it seemed to block the passage aft. Looked to me to be a toe banger. I went without and yes sometimes if sitting I tell people to sit down, but mostly I stand and when pulling into my slip I open the center door forward and look that way. Good Luck! Bill

Re: Raised Helm Or Not?

Posted: Mon Dec 13, 2010 4:02 pm
by Ray Jr.
We have it on our new one, and so far I like it, ours has a built in storage bin/cooler under the captains feet, :drink4 :drink4 and it does help with a better view.
It doesn't seem to be a toe stubber, the only complaint I have about it is the storage area under the console. On the old boat the console sat on top of the carpet so things stored under it didn't slide around. The new one with the raised helm it just has the fiberglass of the riser under the console, and things slid around like crazy. We fixed the problem by cutting a piece of indoor-outdoor carpet to fit and things stay put much better.

You can see it a little in this shot.

Image

Re: Raised Helm Or Not?

Posted: Mon Dec 13, 2010 6:51 pm
by Towdaddy
We have one on our boat. Since I am vertically challenged, it is a big help when docking. It really doesn't intrude the space aft or cut down on the front seats in our boat.

Re: Raised Helm Or Not?

Posted: Mon Dec 13, 2010 11:28 pm
by FloterBoter
i don't think it really matters unless you're really short.


Re: Raised Helm Or Not?

Posted: Tue Dec 14, 2010 5:45 am
by RonKMiller
As kind of an "in-between" you may want to consider a captains chair that does this:
toon helm up.jpg
toon helm up.jpg (16.07 KiB) Viewed 4430 times
I ordered one primarily as a way to change positions during long boring runs to avoid cramping - but think it might be a good alternative for your use as well - the additional cost when ordering a new boat would be minimal. I'm sure my wife will like it too.

Re: Raised Helm Or Not?

Posted: Tue Dec 14, 2010 10:04 am
by Looney Tune
Ray Jr. wrote:We have it on our new one, and so far I like it, ours has a built in storage bin/cooler under the captains feet, :drink4 :drink4 and it does help with a better view.
It doesn't seem to be a toe stubber, the only complaint I have about it is the storage area under the console. On the old boat the console sat on top of the carpet so things stored under it didn't slide around. The new one with the raised helm it just has the fiberglass of the riser under the console, and things slid around like crazy. We fixed the problem by cutting a piece of indoor-outdoor carpet to fit and things stay put much better.

You can see it a little in this shot.

Image
I think it's against the law to store you child in the ski locker.

Re: Raised Helm Or Not?

Posted: Tue Dec 14, 2010 10:21 am
by Ray Jr.
Looney Tune wrote:
Ray Jr. wrote:We have it on our new one, and so far I like it, ours has a built in storage bin/cooler under the captains feet, :drink4 :drink4 and it does help with a better view.
It doesn't seem to be a toe stubber, the only complaint I have about it is the storage area under the console. On the old boat the console sat on top of the carpet so things stored under it didn't slide around. The new one with the raised helm it just has the fiberglass of the riser under the console, and things slid around like crazy. We fixed the problem by cutting a piece of indoor-outdoor carpet to fit and things stay put much better.

You can see it a little in this shot.

Image
I think it's against the law to store you child in the ski locker.
Thats my Grandson and he thought it was a great place to hide.

Re: Raised Helm Or Not?

Posted: Tue Dec 14, 2010 11:15 am
by Looney Tune
Ray Jr. wrote:
Looney Tune wrote:
Ray Jr. wrote:We have it on our new one, and so far I like it, ours has a built in storage bin/cooler under the captains feet, :drink4 :drink4 and it does help with a better view.
It doesn't seem to be a toe stubber, the only complaint I have about it is the storage area under the console. On the old boat the console sat on top of the carpet so things stored under it didn't slide around. The new one with the raised helm it just has the fiberglass of the riser under the console, and things slid around like crazy. We fixed the problem by cutting a piece of indoor-outdoor carpet to fit and things stay put much better.

You can see it a little in this shot.

Image
I think it's against the law to store you child in the ski locker.
Thats my Grandson and he thought it was a great place to hide.
Nice looking kid. It looks like he coming up a staircase from the basement. I can't wait to get my grandkids on the boat. I never got them on my Ranger Base boat but I will on this one.

Re: Raised Helm Or Not?

Posted: Tue Dec 14, 2010 12:10 pm
by Ray Jr.
[/quote]
Nice looking kid. It looks like he coming up a staircase from the basement. I can't wait to get my grandkids on the boat. I never got them on my Ranger Base boat but I will on this one.[/quote]


Toons are great for Grandkids, they even love to nap on the boat.
Here is his little sister

Image

and his cousin

Image

Re: Raised Helm Or Not?

Posted: Tue Dec 14, 2010 2:28 pm
by Looney Tune
Ray Jr. wrote:
Nice looking kid. It looks like he coming up a staircase from the basement. I can't wait to get my grandkids on the boat. I never got them on my Ranger Base boat but I will on this one.[/quote]


Toons are great for Grandkids, they even love to nap on the boat.
Here is his little sister

Image

and his cousin

Image[/quote]
Man, I love to nap on the boat. Of course that's when the fish usually hit.
Great looking family. I can't wait to post mine.