Helm chair for 27FC

[ChrisP]

I would like to install a single swiveling helm chair on my 27fc. The one that's on there now is a bench style and is not original. I have to remove the whole seat to access the engine compartment. I want to get away from this and just have a standard captains chair with back rest and arm rests. What have you folks used?
I tried researching old posts on this site but it appears the posts that show details on this topic have been removed.

[Beta Don]

I mounted a pair of them, one on either side of the engine bay, on my A27. Nothing too difficult about it - Find the seat you like and drill some holes. Mine used 8 bolts through the deck and I used large washers on the underside and aircraft locking nuts - All stainless of course

Don

[hetek]

I second Don's advice. Many flavors and prices of seats to choose from.

In my old 27FC, I installed a pair of helm seats from a newer Albin 35 flybridge, I think. Still, a simple pedestal mount as Don stated. I did have to buy taller pedestal bases though. Take a look:

IMG_0136.JPG

I later added foot rests to the pedestals. I believe they were from Garelick.

[kerrye]

Where are you located. My BIL is swapping his two pedestal seats for a bench in his A25 and may sell his pedestal seats

[ChrisP]

I live in upstate NY near the Champlain canal but the boat is docked in Clinton CT.

Can anyone tell me the height of their pedestal seats? My bench seat is 36” and that’s way too high.

Thanks for the reply’s.

[hetek]

I was hoping to add the pedestal height to my post, but as you can see in my signature: "Former owner of...". It's been a while and I just can't remember but I think they were 30". They were a stock height, that I know.

I also added swivel/slider spiders to the seats. That adds another inch or so to the height. If you slide them back you can stand at the helm. Slide them forward and you don't have to reach for the wheel.

[kerrye]

My BIL is in Clyde NY. I’ll see him in a few days and get info

[Beta Don]

Can anyone tell me the height of their pedestal seats? My bench seat is 36” and that’s way too high.

"Way too high" as in 'difficult to get into and out of?' I can't imagine it being too high to give you adequate visibility looking forward

The helm chairs I bought had 34 inch pedestals and even though I'm 6 feet tall, they were a bit too low for good visibility, so I made a pair of plywood bases 2 inches thick to put between them and the floor. I stained and epoxied the bases and through bolted everything with 4 inch bolts

I'm just guessing, but I think if you install anything lower than the OE helm seat, you will pretty quickly wish you had that extra height back once you get used to using the new seat

Don