helm location

[scarlet]

I think that one of our major deciding factors when we finally get ready to buy a boat.. is going to be 'where the helm is located'. (most of the boats we are looking at are in the 45' range)

After having been on a ton of boats at Miami.. I realized that I have a BIG problem.. or, perhaps I should say.. a SMALL problem. I'm only 5' tall. Frankly, many of the boats we looked at, provided little to NO visibility for me. The only "helm" I felt TRULY comfortable with was the lagoon 450... I could see EVERYTHING.. But.. there are a couple major problems with that helm as well.. (a) it is impossible to check on the "helmsman" unless you actually climb up to the helm... Can't do a quick check.. which concerns me during rough seas. you could lose your helmsman.. and not even know it... and (b).. the boom is SOOO high.. I couldn't even reach it..

a raised helm.. (like on the Helia) is better than most.. but I certainly can't see all 4 corners of the boat...

Anyone LOVE where their helm is located? or hate it? pluses or minuses? Any suggestions for a "little person" such as myself?