Helm seating

[glk34]

Iron Jack (1970 A25) has a single seat for the helm. I know the original seating was a bench seat. Does anyone know the drawbacks of the bench style seats? Is engine access still simple with the bench style?

Chris

[neilrewiredvt]

Chris,
I have both a single and the original bench. The problem with the bench is that unless access to engine comparment has been modified you have to lift the cover to gain access. The bench support actually sits on top of that cover. Worse, in order to lift that top, you have to actually remover the seat. Mine is held by a couple of wingnuts on the main support bar on the side of the hull. Trouble is, it is a real pain in the butt to get the whole thing off the two threaded bolts and then what to do with it to keep it out of the way.
Bottom line, if you have a sweetie and want to co-navigate AND you probably won't need engine access, bench is good. Otherwise, the single is a lot simpler.

[Mark Deeser]

I have the 27 FC, think I am going to build the bench seat. Will hinge back rest to swing fore an aft, making helm seat as well as increasing seating on deck. Should have room for 2 five gallon water jugs under bench. I will learn to work around limited hatch access. On boats our size, feel need to make space count. Thanks, Mark.

[NickScheuer]

Neil bought my bench seat when I converted to a pair of swivel seats. The bench was originally secured to the aluminum angle on the starboard side of the hull using a pair of hex-hd bolts and hex nuts. They were a PITA because a slight wiggle would gradually result in the right side of the bench becoming very loose. Replacing the long hex-hd bolts with studs through wooden blocks was a big improvement for keeping the right side of the bench stable over a period of time.
The blocks are secured with counter-bored hex nuts and washers not visible in the photo.
Another benefit of the studs and wooden blocks is they cannot be dropped and lost in the bilge when removing the bench for engine access.

[DesertAlbin736]

Chris,

Our A25 "La Dolce Vita" is a 1971, hull #736. What's your hull number? Does yours have a mast and sail rig, and if so have you ever used it?

We have a similar stock bench seat to the one shown in 'neilrewiredvt's reply, except the inboard supports are at the end of the seat, not in the middle. In my opinion the bench seat, while it looks like it should be comfortable, it really isn't. Maybe someday I'll replace it with something more comfortable, but for now I'll live with it.

So yes, you have to remove the seat to open the engine box. Inconvenient, but not that hard. A previous owner some time in the distant past cut an access opening in the top of the engine box on our boat so that you can check engine oil without completely raising the box.

[glk34]

Iron Jack never had a sail rig. Hull number is 337. I like the look of the 2 seats but feel if we install a mate's pedestal seat it will likely be in the way while entering and exiting the cabin below. Maybe the pedestal mount could be directly on top of the engine cover, not sure about the room. See why people are always looking for 2 more feet. Anyone have any pictures of a 2 seat setup would be great.

thanks for the replys

Chris