On Sat, 19 Jul 2003 15:08:58 GMT, Harlan Lachman
wrote:

We just got back from our cruise. Trailered our Regal 2550 LSC from
Vermont to Mystic, went to Newport, P-Town (followed a whale boat out
and had the best whaling experience imaginable), Boston (whoever gave
me the tip about Yacht Haven is a mensch), Oak Bluffs and Block.

Except for our throttle (that could not hold its setting in large
chops) and our helm seat our trip was wonderful. However, in the large
seas (3-4 from Oak Bluffs to Block) and 6-8 from Mystic to Newport my
seat crumpled from the shock of the slamming and my weight (290 lbs).

I wonder if anyone in the NG has had (successful??) experience with
retrofitting a helm seat. I would love to replace the double wide helm
seat with a flipable back that came with the boat (supposedly allows
you to flip it forward and use the table behind it or flip it forward
to sit on top to see little things like obstacles and lobsterpots) with
a chair that is meant to withstand the force of someone of my size and
the type of slamming any boat can be exposed to at times. On this
Regal, the seat seems to be on a post only 4-6 inches from the raised
floor.

Features I have been considering is being able to rotate (to access the
table), a flip up bottom to faciliate sitting higher up for visibility,
forward and back sliding for adjustments, and even some up-down
adjustment (got long legs too). Of course, I would need a seat for a
big man (52 inch waist).

Any suggestions and sources for information would be helpful.

Thanks,

Harlan
Samurai; Malletts Bay, VT

Harlan- I've been waiting to see if anyone would respond to your
question, because I am also looking to replace the "back-to-back"
seats in my Starcraft F/S with something a little more versatile.

My problem is that I haven't found a brand that is low enough, yet
still has a gas riser on it.

For your problem, have you gone to the West Marine, Cabela's, or Bass
Pro Shops websites? They all carry good products, and they all
provide good customer support (Cabela's is superior).

Owner's of larger boats than mine may have better sources, but they
haven't jumped in yet.

Good luck.
noah

Courtesy of Lee Yeaton,
See the boats of rec.boats
www.TheBayGuide.com/rec.boats

Harlan....
Large seats of good quality are available, but they are expensive.
Ancillary problem involves a heavy weight at the end of a long lever-arm.
You should avoid sitting on top of an 18" pedastal in rough seas. Also,
adding the capacity to rotate and slide weakens the overall structure. When
I get into seas, I slow enough to avoid the slamming.

I would like to get rid of my pedastal seat. I want to install a
convertable bench. However, I think I'll build it myself. Nothing I've
seen seems to be worth the several hundred bucks that they cost.

Regards,

John Gaquin
Brefnie Queen
1974 Luhrs 32



"Harlan Lachman" wrote in message
. net...
We just got back from our cruise. .

However, in the large
seas (3-4 from Oak Bluffs to Block) and 6-8 from Mystic to Newport my
seat crumpled from the shock of the slamming and my weight (290 lbs).

I wonder if anyone in the NG has had (successful??) experience with
retrofitting a helm seat.