Fridges and helm chairs

[tcft]

Has anyone got any ideas for refridgeration on a 27' Family Cruiser and/or any ideas for helm seating. I seem to spend a small fortune on ice and our helm seating is two counter height chairs which aren't that comfortable.

Thank you

Tom T

[hetek]

How about a fridge that doubles as a helm chair?

Seriously though, I too have the "counter height" helm/captain' chairs I believe you are referring to.

My thoughts:

Although I think they are comfortable enough, the problem I have with them is when the boat rolls the chairs sometimes want to fall over. I also have the original helm bench that mounts to the coaming but since it is fixed in place it gets in the way when I want to pilot the boat standing up. I'm thinking of looking into a slide track with a fore/aft adjustment like some newer boats have.

I just don't think pedestal type seats are best for this boat as they would have to be mounted to the engine hatch.

No fridge here - I use coolers. One for food and one for beverages. Sorry I can't help there.

- Jon B.
hetek

[DougSea]

There are a number of 12v, portable coolers out there. I've thought about getting one to keep in the cockpit, it would be easy to wire up a 12v outlet for it. Search the site, I'm pretty sure someone here has one.

[jleonard]

How about a fridge that doubles as a helm chair?

Actually that is a great idea. Let's build one

[RobS]

How about a fridge that doubles as a helm chair?

Actually that is a great idea. Let's build one

And, of course, it must be capable of being powered via AC or DC this way when the boats on the hard it can be used in the family room. Wouldn't want to have to keep it plugged into my jump-pump in the house, that would be unsightly

[hetek]

I have to correct a comment I made in my last post.

I went down to my boat last night with a tape measure and evidently a pedestal type seat will fit and not mount on the hatch like I had stated earlier. It would mount on the deck next to the hatch. Looks like there is just enough room.

That opens up a whole bunch of possibilities for seats - from inexpensive at around $250 to very expensive. I find with seating that the quality goes up with the price.

A couple things though:

I would opt for a seat slider for the ability to slide it back if I wanted to pilot the yacht while standing. (Say, what about those with the flip up bottoms that convert to a "leaning post"?).

I would also brace the pedestal top to the side coaming for extra support. They can get pretty wobbly at the taller heights like the Albin requires.

Lastly, I would buy one of those foot rests that slide over the pedestal. I find the Albin one lacking - It's more of a toe rest for me.

Re: Fridges:

Again, I don't use the small box Albin put in the countertop, although others do. As DougSea mentioned, there are portable fridges that resemble coolers. I have seen an A27 with an extended counter top and a fridge mounted below the extension. It does take away from the berth and seating space there, though. Besides - I wouldn't want a fridge humming away next to my head all night long.

And, yes, a pilot seat/fridge combo is possible. You just have to engineer it and build it!

- Jon B.
hetek

[Veebyes2]

How many nights do you typically spend on the boat? 1 night, 2? Back when we had a 27, even the 32 with refridgeration, we used coolers which would last 48 hours no real problem.

The trick was to used the double insulated coolers, white ones work better, don't use ice cubes or crushed ice, use homemade block ice in things like milk containers & consolodate coolers as you eat/drink away the weekend.

3 44qt coolers would work for 4 people on a 2 night weekend.

[stardust-v42]

We have a A27 SC with pedestal seats. They work just great and they mount on the deck just next to the engine access hatches. They are Springfield pedestals, seats and foot rests. Initially, the former owner of this boat had installed "removable" pedestals, but they had "movement" at the base because it was just a rubber bushing fit. I replaced them with "fixed" pedestals which work better. They have very substantial backing plats (aluminium). These seats have the teak ladderbacks and look very sharp.

John McCahan
BLUE MOON
Boyne City, Mi