Doing away w/ ladder to fly bridge...Mike?

[Rickysa]

Can't find your post on doing so, but would really like to review it...bringing the boat up the ICW this past weekend proved eye-opening for future projects.

Helm seating options? The helm chair currently present isn't wide enough for my generous backside and forced me to sit right on the edge of the seat, spread-eagled to the dash....couldn't turn around.

If I just get a wider seat, is there a way to reinforce the stanchion holding the chair? One good wave and I think I'm arse over ankles into the cockpit.

Are Yanmars really 3600 rpm motors? (I know they are, but...)Tachs only go to 4200 and it just felt weird to push them that high after years of DDs and Cummins.

other stuff to come...

[mike ohlstein]

Cap't Pat referred to it as a 'better mousetrap'.......

[Rickysa]

I have to do that, nice that it's incorporated into the gin pole, which I had planned on also.

[Craig Mac]

I did away with my flybridge ladder a long time ago----I added the factory side steps that the older boats came with--not sure what year they stopped putting them on --maybe 1969? I bought them from an owner that put a tuna tower and did not need them anymore.

[Rickysa]

I did away with my flybridge ladder a long time ago

I didn't realize how awkward they were...my first 31 was a Bahia Mar, and I'd not been on the bridge of a FBC before, but those things made me nervous going up and down tied up at the fuel dock!

[Rawleigh]

I like my side steps!

[Rickysa]

I like my side steps!

pics, pics, pics!! email if you'd prefer

[Yannis]

What is the vertical distance between the engine box and the eyebrow of the bridge in a 31?
If someone could measure it for me, please.
Thanks.

[David Davidson]

Anyone know where I can get hold of some side steps? I’d love to get rid of the ladder arrangement.

[MikeD@Lightningshack]

Pretty sure I have a set in my attic... might have went with boat, but I will check.

[Amberjack]

Ricky--

Amberjack's Yanmars are rated 3800 rpm at WOT (I re-propped to get them up to 3900 rpm at based on advice from this forum) which gives me about a 3000 rpm cruising speed. I run at 3000 all day long and the engines are happy with good oil and good coolant in them. On these engines the raw water heat exchangers calcify up after a few years potentially leading to overheating so keep an eye on that. First indication of this for me was a raw water low flow alarm on throttling down after a run.

Amberjack has both side steps and a bridge ladder. The side steps get used on occasion when the engine boxes are up but I don't use them on a regular basis as they seem very exposed, especially underway. The bridge ladder on AJ is a modification, it hinges to the bridge brow and extends back at about a 30 degree angle which feels very secure to me. I can see how the original vertical ladders would be a challenge especially with the boat moving around.

[MikeD@Lightningshack]

No luck, I must have surrendered my old steps with the boat a few years ago.

[Rawleigh]

I just have the factory side steps.

[David Davidson]

Mike,
Thanks anyway for looking.

[Tony Meola]

MIke

Are you now boatless?

[MikeD@Lightningshack]

Bertram-less... But not boat less. Ended up moving on to a 38 Henriques. Miss my bertram, but we wanted some more space and creature comforts. Nothing like going down sea in a 31 Bert, but this boat makes up for most of the difference when you have to head back into it. All about trade offs I guess!

[Tony Meola]

Mike

Nice boat. That is a good trade up.

[MikeD@Lightningshack]

Thanks... No complaints, and I have plenty of fine 31's to gawk at in my corner of the world! Loved these boats since I was a kid and that appreciation may never go away.

[Craig Mac]

Ricky----check out the pics of Double Bogie 0---there are some good shots of the original side steps to get to bridge------I don't think she has a flybridge ladder

[Charlie J]

mikes is nice
just have to watch your back
ask me how I know ouch