Outside helm for a R-21EC?

[kaypro]

I've been boating in Florida for decades and always felt that a flybridge or outside helm was important--cabin gets too hot and I just prefer to be outside in the salt air when at the helm. Has anyone considered and would it be possible to have an outside helm station on a R-21EC? Perhaps it could be situated where the port-aft window is located. I've seen similar set-ups on classic pocket trawlers and fishing boats. Here's an example I found on the net from a 23' Vashon trawler.

 

[captain's cat]

If it were me, being that you'd only be about 4' or so away from your inside helm station, I'd put in an autopilot instead. The remote would let you roam all over the cockpit, not be tied to the wheel and let you relax a little.

Charlie

 

[Levitation]

Charlie, I agree...
In either case you absolutely MUST have a deadman lanyard attached to you when running the boat from the cockpit...

 

[captain's cat]

Charlie, I agree...
In either case you absolutely MUST have a deadman lanyard attached to you when running the boat from the cockpit...

You got it, Dr. D. Unless you want to BE a "deadman". 🙁

Charlie

 

[rt11002003]

Installing a "deadman lanyard" on a R21EC might be quite a trick. The engine "kill" device is a push button on the engine control panel. I guess one could raise the engine box and kill the engine from there; however, I can't recall how that fuel shutoff worked.

If one is going to operate from the cockpit, then one really should have a full set of controls there.

gene

 

[captain's cat]

When you're going 6-8 knots, it's not nearly as critical as when you're doing 20-30! You won't be back there in heavy seas, you won't in foul weather or heavy traffic either. The wireless AP is great for semi long distance point to point cruising to give the helmsman some relief. I don't use it from the cockpit except when I have to go back there for some purpose and never when I'm alone on the boat. I do, however, sit over at the chart table, plot courses, etc. And the freedom from having to maintain a course is wonderful.

Charlie