Choosing the Right Helm Seat

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Choosing the Right Helm Seat | BoatTEST

boattest.com

Having the right helm seat can make the difference between a comfortable or uncomfortable trip, be it in a 35m cruiser or a 6m trailer boat. David Palmer looks at some of the options.US manufacturers, on the other hand, would start by designing an armchair, with cushions, recliner mechanism and space enough for a Chicago Bulls player to stretch his legs . . . then design the fighter plane around it.
Cost is another important factor. Just because it is the cheapest or most expensive seat on the market doesn’t mean that it is right for you. Helm chairs vary in price considerably – it just depends on what you want.

$3-5,000 will get you a good one that won’t look out of place on any boat. $12-25,000 will get you an all-electric chair with enough style to be an adornment to any super yacht and enough features to make any skipper happy in his work.

And if you really want to go for the ultimate in helm seats and you have a spare $25k to $40k to spend, a custom made helm chair that will put the boat controls at your fingertips, mounted in the armrests is available. This even includes a toggle for steering. These aren’t common, though, perhaps because most boaters are romantic enough to picture themselves standing manfully at a helm.


are this news paper crazy or I am crazy $1k to $40k for seat, give me this money and I seat on piece wood like all my life I seet on a sailboat.
i thinking buy this Premium Reclining Helm Chair for Yachts Caravans - Ivory Colour - thargo.com
for my boat. how I pick select from most expensive, is nice I buy. who put crocodile leather stitched with indian king cobra skin. with Swarovski cristal inside for luck

 

[Hippocampus]

Current issue is how you use the boat and what boat is it. Once your into something really fast some form of suspension seat makes a huge difference. Shox or Shockwave seats are expensive. A lot of tech in them and durable materials that can survive in salt costs as well. But that’s not necessary for the typical trawler. I have Lebrac and they are extremely comfortable and adjustable. You need to put your butt in a few brands to get a sense if comfort is worth the cost of that brand.

 

[more]

Current issue is how you use the boat and what boat is it. Once your into something really fast some form of suspension seat makes a huge difference. Shox or Shockwave seats are expensive. A lot of tech in them and durable materials that can survive in salt costs as well. But that’s not necessary for the typical trawler. I have Lebrac and they are extremely comfortable and adjustable. You need to put your butt in a few brands to get a sense if comfort is worth the cost of that brand.

Series 1 Helm Chairs

Our Series 1 line, for in an enclosed helm with limited exposure to the weather; currently has 8 models with standard features that include: Powder coated 1” square tube steel frame Molded foam seat cushions, and armrests. Commercial duty fabric and vinyl’s 1 year warranty

www.llebroc.com

this Lebrac is litle 300% expensive vs GB/ Italy produced
this

Premium Reclining Helm Chair Premium Reclining Helm Chair for Yachts Caravans - Ivory Colour - thargo.com​

what I now want pay. before April I need a new seat or a new ultralether. normal painted steel no way come on my boat. this Lebrac is more for van seat. for boat seat frame is plastic,SS,GRP,some PVC and maybe aluminium . inside ultralether or leather.outside only marine grade ultralether

 

[tiltrider1]

Choosing the Right Helm Seat | BoatTEST

boattest.com

Having the right helm seat can make the difference between a comfortable or uncomfortable trip, be it in a 35m cruiser or a 6m trailer boat. David Palmer looks at some of the options.US manufacturers, on the other hand, would start by designing an armchair, with cushions, recliner mechanism and space enough for a Chicago Bulls player to stretch his legs . . . then design the fighter plane around it.
Cost is another important factor. Just because it is the cheapest or most expensive seat on the market doesn’t mean that it is right for you. Helm chairs vary in price considerably – it just depends on what you want.

$3-5,000 will get you a good one that won’t look out of place on any boat. $12-25,000 will get you an all-electric chair with enough style to be an adornment to any super yacht and enough features to make any skipper happy in his work.

And if you really want to go for the ultimate in helm seats and you have a spare $25k to $40k to spend, a custom made helm chair that will put the boat controls at your fingertips, mounted in the armrests is available. This even includes a toggle for steering. These aren’t common, though, perhaps because most boaters are romantic enough to picture themselves standing manfully at a helm.


are this news paper crazy or I am crazy $1k to $40k for seat, give me this money and I seat on piece wood like all my life I seet on a sailboat.
i thinking buy this Premium Reclining Helm Chair for Yachts Caravans - Ivory Colour - thargo.com
for my boat. how I pick select from most expensive, is nice I buy. who put crocodile leather stitched with indian king cobra skin. with Swarovski cristal inside for luck

You can try that helm chair but After 1 year it will probably be broken and if not it will squeak with every wave. If you plan to keep the boat for 10 years you should invest in a better quality chair.

 

[HeadedToTexas]

Our 2007 boat does not have the right helm seats. I am leaning toward replacing the two pedestal seats on the bridge with a bench seat much like modern center consoles use. Very comfortable, rock solid, storage included. Anyone go down that path?

 

[tiltrider1]

My Uniflite had a bench seat. It was nothing fancy. In fact it was not much more than plywood, foam and vinyl on top of a wooden box. To this day we would prefer a bench seat, unfortunately we just don't have enough walk around room to add a bench seat to the current boat.

 

[Brooksie]

Most of the helm seating I see look like it might be comfortable for a long haul IF the controls, wheel, and footrest were properly placed. But they usually are not, even on expensive new boats.
Actually your autopilot is your most important comfort device. It allows you to move about, change helms, stand in the companionway and break up a trick especially if you are not solo.

 

[Datenight]

In my Llebroc with the auto pilot remote!

Rob

 

[ksanders]

Series 1 Helm Chairs

Our Series 1 line, for in an enclosed helm with limited exposure to the weather; currently has 8 models with standard features that include: Powder coated 1” square tube steel frame Molded foam seat cushions, and armrests. Commercial duty fabric and vinyl’s 1 year warranty

www.llebroc.com

this Lebrac is litle 300% expensive vs GB/ Italy produced
this

Premium Reclining Helm Chair Premium Reclining Helm Chair for Yachts Caravans - Ivory Colour - thargo.com​

what I now want pay. before April I need a new seat or a new ultralether. normal painted steel no way come on my boat. this Lebrac is more for van seat. for boat seat frame is plastic,SS,GRP,some PVC and maybe aluminium . inside ultralether or leather.outside only marine grade ultralether

I have had a Llebroc helm seat for maybe a decade in all kinds of seas and lots thousands of miles under the keel.

The seat is still perfect, just like when I bought it.

It is mounted on a 4" tube base with a slide and swiverl made by I think springfield.

This is a very high quality helm seat, and worthy of any boat you might reasonably dream of.
It gets a lot of compliments.

 

[Mac2]

I have a Llebroc also. Service was worst Ive ever experienced. I asked for the chair and pedestal come seperated-nope! Had to disassemble to fit in boat. Second pedestal had a snapped off leg. Foot rest came with the wrong backing plate. Paint damaged in places. This was all the fault of the shipping/wrapping department at llebroc. Very disappointing due to the high price of the chair. Otherwise a great chair.

 

[kapnd]

For long passages, I find my standing space just as important as the helm chair. Far too many boats don’t.
My old ass can only be sat on for so long, then must be relieved by standing. Also the best cure for the nods!

 

[Pascall]

We have a Norsap helm seat in the boat with all the necessary controls in the armrests, autopilot, rudder, the operation of radar plotters, depth sounder and the like.
You don't have to bend over or stretch to operate the boat, which sails very comfortably.
Norsap supplies many helm chairs to commercial shipping and have been developed for continuous sailing, they are wear-resistant and comfortable.

Greeting,

Pascal.

 

[klee wyck]

The trawler has the typical big, cushy, high priced helm seat. The cat has the bench seat pictured here. If I were to spec a new boat from the drafting table, I would work hard to accommodate a bench seat. When I bought the cat, I was expecting to want to take the bench out and put in a proper helm chair. I am glad I waited as I have really come to prefer the bench.