Raising the helm seat.

V

Valkyrie

New member
Hi Brats,

Ever since we've had our boat, the helm seat has seemed too low for me, even with my 6'3" height. A few years ago I raised it two or so inches by adding oak blocks beneath the seat which through-bolted from the storage area under the seat. (Pictures of project in our album) That helped some, but Marcia still had to sit on a throwable cushion to be comfortable. Also, the foam just didn't have the density for good support when heading into Lake Erie's formidable waves.

I really didn't want to replace the seat, so I removed it and took it to the local canvas shop and had them install a higher density foam in the seat bottom, leaving the seat back alone. I re-installed the seat and not only is it much more comfortable, but it gives us another two inches or so of height. Cost was only $80.

Now I can't wait for Lake Erie to become "soft" again so we can go out for early walleyes in April when Marcia has a week off.

RE: weather. I know that many brats have it much worse than we do here in Ohio, so I'll not take that route, but our weather has been very changeable. About ten days ago it was below zero and we had ten more inches of snow, Monday was 70 (!) and I was able to wash and wax Valkyrie in short sleeves and the next day we had half an inch of ice. More snow this weekend.

Best regards to all,

Nick
"Valkyrie"
 
i have the same problem, vertically challenged, have to sit on the throwable cushion. i had thought about just replacing the entire seat, with a more deserving of a captain type seat. i may however, give your plan a try. in my case, i would have to remove the "looks like a frig but it's not", cooler to remove the seat. probably wouldn't take much work, now that you've given me the motivation.
thanks
best regards
pat
lake erie, that's just a tad smaller than lake cumberland, isn't it?
 
Capt. Pat,

Two guys from Ohio arguing about whose is bigger?

Lake Erie is 222 miles long and has 10,000 square miles which contain more shipwrecks than any of the other Great Lakes. Cumberland is 101 miles long and about 1 mile wide at its widest.

You should consider bringing your boat up for a week or so or feel free to come up for some walleye or perch fishing with us on Valkyrie.

Regards,

Nick
"Valkyrie"
 
linda and i have actually talked about dramatically increasing our time on the water this season, so, if you think lake erie can handle at least two c-dory's, we'd love to take a trip north. two weeks ago i was in huron ohio, right on lake erie, sawmill inn, for a 4 hour class. snowed like a son-of-a gun. drove back to cinti that evening, didn't think i'd make it, was a little cussing goin' on, for sure.
we're leaving for a two week trip to florida on april 13, will trailer our boat, be cruising the icw, and return on or about april 26.
i just email patrick (byrdman) in nashville, to see if anything's going on around may 15 thru 18, for a c-brat get together.
whats it like on erie around the latter part of june or early july?

pat
 
The helm seats in C-Dory leaves a lot to be desired.
I replaced mine with a Garelick seat and it is much better and lots more comfortable.
 
One of the first things I noticed about the helm seat in our new boat is that it’s a little on the low side, and it doesn’t have much in the cushion department. For the money, I was thinking of replacing it with a premium helm seat from Cabala’s; their top quality seats appear to have 2 or 3 inches more padding. The only caveat I see is the fabric is vinyl, and I’d really like a breathable fabric.
Was thinking of taking the factory seat in and having it upgraded, but I’m not that impressed with the quality of its construction.
 
Pat,

During the May dates, Marcia and I will be on the Erie Canal. Late June and early July is very nice on Lake Erie with temps in the 80's, typically. We'll be around here during that time period.

Huron and Sawmill Creek are east of the islands area, where Valkyrie is docked, near Port Clinton. The islands are an easy run from our marina. There are also two nice state-run ramps with good parking nearby. I can give you all of the details if you firm up your plans. Also, I'm retired and would be glad to join you, if you like.

Two C-Dory's on Lake Erie, it might be a bit crowded but we could probably work it out. We only ran with another C-Dory on Erie when Jack and Bonnie (Salty Dog, now Orca) came up from Columbus for a day to run together.

Nick
"Valkyrie"
 
Wayne McCown":2ji7b2cg said:
I replaced the factory helm seat with Cabelas' Elite Deluxe seat. I really like it. One benefit is that it folds perfectly flat (see photos).
Click to expand...

Nice looking seat, and they have in my color.
How mush rise over the factor seat do think you gained if any with the Cabala’s seat?
The only problem I would see in a high back seat is your ability to turn around or sit sideways, so you find that an issue?
 
I have not felt obligated to alter the seat..........yet. THe low back allows me to slouch in my lounge position. Yes poor posture ect...... The mods the guys have done look nice. However I loath sitting on vinyl. Kinada like the sunbrella fabric from that standpoint. Would like a arm rest however.....




Cumberland??? thats just a tad smaller than Superior, isn't it? :D

Chris Bulovsky
 
Chris,

What a coincidence, I was just in your album for the first time and love all of those fish.

Did any of those swimmers succumb to hypothermia in the big lake?

Nick
"Valkyrie"
 
No...... they are of hardy stock. :lol:

Truth is we use those wet suits when the wind blows the warmish water away. We have groan accustom to cool water to some degree.

Think spring!

Chris
 
capt. chris.
i've not visited lake superior, but can't imagine it's that much bigger than lake cumberland. in fact, i thought i had recently read that superior had all but dried up!
i, however do agree, one should not eat yellow snow.
best regards
pat
ps life's to short to drink cheap wine.
 
I apologize for deviating from the topic of helm seats. But.....Yes Capt. Pat the Lake is pretty low last spring. It did rebound over the summer a little but still 2 to 3 Ft. low. I wonder if Corp. of Engineers have something to do do with it. The upside of low water is more beach to enjoy. With the shallow draft of a 22' I'm really able to cope with receding water.

Despite that Superior is a very neat Lake. I fear I will never get to see it all do to its size.

http://coastwatch.glerl.noaa.gov/modis/ ... 3.250m.jpg

Waiting for break up! :P

Chris Bulovky
 
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