Second Station for 23 or 25

[fpharrington]

Has anyone added a Second Station to a 23 or 25? I am looking at the 2 models, but I am concerned I will have a difficult time using the boat alone for fishing, lobstering and docking without a second station. Any feedback would be helpful.

 

[ixlr8]

If all you need the second station for is steering, you can use the autopilot remote. If you need throttle control, that is a different story. I have been looking at the same thing for my 27OB and havn't found anything yet.

 

[fpharrington]

I prefer a standard second station, i.e. steering and engine controls, but I am open to all options.

 

[bob daily]

Adding a second helm station would depend on type of controls you have on board. I believe both the 23 and 25 models have hydraulic steering and electrical controllers. It would be a matter of running hydrologic lines and electrical lines to the location of the second helm station. Placement of the second helm would be a personal preference, I like the way they put them on the cutwater models, you may have to manufacture a station to mount the controls. I added a second helm station on my R-21 and love it for fishing and crabbing. Anything is doable !
Good luck and post some pictures when complete. Bob

 

[Hamster]

I solo my R-23 more times than not. I don't find a need for a second station at all. With the bow thruster, docking is easy. Even when others are on board, I often will get out and handle the lines so that my boat gets pulled in properly. (An inexperienced person will pull one line and bang the dock.)

For fishing, I have the Panther remote on my kicker motor. It handles steering. You can also add a throttle control, which would be super handy.

The other thing to keep in mind is that the cockpit isn't the biggest, so if you want to hang out and enjoy the sunset on the deck, you don't want to take up additional space where a chair and your head might go.