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mglonnro · 17-11-2020, 09:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sand crab

MicroCommamder has been making a full line of controls including handheld remotes for your engine(s) for decades.

I clicked on all the links and couldn't find a wheel-type remote control? I mean something like a remote steering wheel that would feel similar to the real thing?

EDIT: Something like this:

Tupaia · 17-11-2020, 10:32

The Rapier 550 has internal helm and sail controls. Can't help but think it takes up a lot of space. When it is raining does the saloon get wet? Even if the rain doesn't get in having a pile of smelly wet ropes drying out in the saloon sounds like mould waiting to happen.

mglonnro · 17-11-2020, 12:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tupaia

The Rapier 550 has internal helm and sail controls. Can't help but think it takes up a lot of space. When it is raining does the saloon get wet? Even if the rain doesn't get in having a pile of smelly wet ropes drying out in the saloon sounds like mould waiting to happen.

Yes, there it is, and I love how Toby Hodges seems so baffled by the fact that you're sailing... inside...

So, how is the steering wheel connected to the rudder? Is it some kind of servo system or is it a remote controller for something?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Pem...ature=youtu.be

Yihang · 17-11-2020, 19:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by valhalla360

It was a flybridge sportfish but we had dual helms and the inside helm had 360visibility. In 10yrs of ownership only used it once when we had pulled the flybridge off entirely in order to truck the boat home to refinish the decks over the winter (this included spring and fall use that a few times had snow flurries)

Really it just used up space that could have been better used for other purposes.

Particularly with the option of a remote for the autopilot, I don't really see the benefit for most people.

On our Gemini in cold weather, it wasn't uncommon to stand in the companion way with just a window open and reach an arm out to hold the wheel (non-autopilot situations) but if it came to docking or close quarters maneuvering, I would just step out into the cockpit.

Now if you get up into 50-60ft boats, carving out space for an inside helm is a lot easier to justify.

The Gemini helm looks great, basically the same on the seawind except mirrors on the other side also. Nothing like a protected helm with full access to winches, at least for comfort. I know Impi loves his flybridge helm on the lagoon 440, apparently for better visibility at sea, but i wonder how much of that is Self-justification.

Chotu · 18-11-2020, 04:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by mglonnro

Yes, there it is, and I love how Toby Hodges seems so baffled by the fact that you're sailing... inside...

So, how is the steering wheel connected to the rudder? Is it some kind of servo system or is it a remote controller for something?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Pem...ature=youtu.be

This is basically the same setup I have. Mine looks a little more “boaty” and a little less like a car though.

Aquataur11 · 18-11-2020, 19:25

Boat designers spend minutes thinking about the ergonomics of helm positions, car designers spend man-years so who has it right? If you want to be wet and cold on the Rapier 550 you can always go outside and steer using the tillers - it even has trimming controls for the reversing winches at each tiller so trimming the sails from there is easy too.
Let’s all be honest, for long distance sailing, the boat is on autopilot for most of the time and the helmsman job is mostly lookout and trimmer and the watchkeeping position and Saul trimming on this boat is the best. Even Alex Thompson isn’t actually driving!! (Great job by him right now, BTW)

GRIT · 23-11-2020, 17:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by johngrif

I love my interior helm. Great visibility, out of the sun, out of the rain. I can go outside whenever I want.

Very Nice John.

Ours is a more spartan version, with a forward cockpit.
And I agree, of course; out of the sun, out of the rain, and great visibility...

Paul.

johngrif · 24-11-2020, 10:03

Another nice version. Well done Paul!

Strygaldwir · 07-12-2020, 17:00

Hmmm. After many years, I have concluded that the autopilot does a better job of helming than I do. Subsequently, I can steer the boat from my nav station inside at the salon. Keeps me nice and warm except when coming down the intracoastal. There, I have to be outside. Still use the autopilot, just push the port and starboard buttons to turn appropriately. I don't miss the additional wheel.

Keith

argonauta1 · 19-11-2021, 07:38

Any sailing vessel can have the equivalent of a below decks helm by dint of installing a second autopilot control head at the chart table.

stimpsonjcat · 19-11-2021, 09:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kashmir cat

The Prout 46 has an inside steering/second helm option (see photo). The visibility from the inside helm is remarkably good (even aft). There are full throttle controls and steering is by the autopilot wheel. It comes in REAL handy motoring the ICW on freezing cold days with the heater on, brutally hot days with the A/C on, and bug infested days with the hatches screened. Other than that it is rarely used except as a comfortable nav station and coffee table.

That's sexy.