Seems to me , the two weak points physically while cruising are

1. Getting out of shape (you sit at the helm for hours on end, daily.]

2. the most improtant seat in the boat, the helm seat, is usually very
uncomcortable. Looking for recomendations on seats.

thanks

Sterling

2. the most improtant seat in the boat, the helm seat, is usually very
uncomcortable. Looking for recomendations on seats.

thanks

Sterling

Check out Stidd.

Recently ran a Grand Banks East Bay 43 and an MJM 34z, both with Stidd helm
chairs. What a treat.

I suspect they're pretty high dollar.

If "you sit at the helm for hours on end, daily" then your not cruising,
your driving your boat.

With windvanes or autopilot, the typical cruising crew only need to maintain
a watch in the cockpit and this is usually a very lax or relaxed routine.
Comfortable spot in the shade with a good book..

True that in bad weather the helm may need attention but, in my experience,
when the helm becomes too much for the AP or Vane, then it is also too much
for a helmsman and time to go to storm sails and a better boat balance.

And "Getting out of shape", I don't think so.. Most sail handling, winch
grinding and anchoring activities are very strenuous and often aerobic. Not
to mention dingy rowing and swimming.. After all, that's what we do it for..

Some cruisers feel the same as you and do exercise routines that lend
themselves to the confines of the boat or go ashore for long brisk walks
(sounds like sight seeing to me).


--
My opinion and experience. FWIW

Steve
s/v Good Intentions

On Wed, 24 Mar 2004 08:11:30 -0800, "Steve" wrote:

If "you sit at the helm for hours on end, daily" then your not cruising,
your driving your boat.

This is acceptable for racing, but you either are talking 90 minute
club races (with a fair number of tiller-steered boats, which is
physically more active, as is steering and handling the main or a
genny sheet, quite common on the under-30 foot boats).

Cruising? Hell, no. I get the wife to actively steer while I tweak,
fix food or do boat jobs, or just peer around the horizon, practising
nav/piloting skills. Either that, or I get the tiller lock to handle
things. If it's a windy day and I have to go forward to handle a jib,
I pull out the trusty, dusty Autohelm 1000 to keep her pointed into
the wind at 2 knots of engine speed. Easy.

Unless I am alone, I don't do a lot of helming. Unless I'm racing, or
it's a shifty wind day or a narrow channel, it's a tad dull.

With windvanes or autopilot, the typical cruising crew only need to maintain
a watch in the cockpit and this is usually a very lax or relaxed routine.
Comfortable spot in the shade with a good book..

Yea, brother.

True that in bad weather the helm may need attention but, in my experience,
when the helm becomes too much for the AP or Vane, then it is also too much
for a helmsman and time to go to storm sails and a better boat balance.

Or head in if you don't have or want to be out there. I usually do,
unless stuff is in danger of ripping or breaking...which as I tend to
reef early and often (no furling to save my ass!), would represent a
serious underestimation on my part.

And "Getting out of shape", I don't think so.. Most sail handling, winch
grinding and anchoring activities are very strenuous and often aerobic. Not
to mention dingy rowing and swimming.. After all, that's what we do it for..

Another reason to avoid electric winches and such...to a point. I know
I wanted bigger coach house winches last year when I hauled my wife to
the top of the mast to unsnag a halyard...why, I required extra
refreshment afterwards!

Some cruisers feel the same as you and do exercise routines that lend
themselves to the confines of the boat or go ashore for long brisk walks
(sounds like sight seeing to me).

Whatever works. I have noticed that many cruisers fit a body type of
heavily muscled forearms, chest and shoulders and skinny little legs
(the SuperChicken physique!). On larger boats, I have seen stationary
bikes set up so that the legs can be kept big and the gut little G.
To each their own, but I suspect that wisely limiting the number of
labour-saving devices is a help here. We have a fair number of quite
aged sailors at my club (75-85 years old) and while some of them are
obviously ready to swallow the anchor, others are still quite fit and
ridiculously strong (as is enough to help me shift my 300 lb. mast at
launch and haulout), because they don't spend a lot of time sitting in
the first place, I suppose.

Which is probably not the answer the OP wanted to hear! G

R.

Seems to me , the two weak points physically while cruising are

1. Getting out of shape (you sit at the helm for hours on end, daily.]

2. the most improtant seat in the boat, the helm seat, is usually very
uncomcortable. Looking for recomendations on seats.


I don't know many cruisiers that steer. They use some kind of self steering.
Since most of us don't have transpertation when we get there we have to walk a
lot and carry things. While I was cruising I was in pretty good shape. Remember
that cruising doesn't mean you have to be underway all the time. If insects are
not trying to make a home on your boat you may not be getting the most out of
it.

Dick

If "you sit at the helm for hours on end, daily" then your not cruising,
your driving your boat.

Isn't the OP a power boater? If so, so much for windvanes.

As far as autopilot goes, that may be fine
offshore but in coastal cruising or inland waters there is usually enough
traffic that one has to keep a constant lookout, anyway.

One of my personal gripes is encountering a give way vessel that is reluctant
to make a course or speed adjustment in a timely manner because some damn
computer is actually running the boat. The computer doesn't know the rules of
the road, and the GPS doesn't even know any other vessels exist. :-)

Sit on hands...steer with feet
"Steve" wrote in message
...
If "you sit at the helm for hours on end, daily" then your not cruising,
your driving your boat.

With windvanes or autopilot, the typical cruising crew only need to
maintain
a watch in the cockpit and this is usually a very lax or relaxed routine.
Comfortable spot in the shade with a good book..

True that in bad weather the helm may need attention but, in my
experience,
when the helm becomes too much for the AP or Vane, then it is also too
much
for a helmsman and time to go to storm sails and a better boat balance.

And "Getting out of shape", I don't think so.. Most sail handling, winch
grinding and anchoring activities are very strenuous and often aerobic.
Not
to mention dingy rowing and swimming.. After all, that's what we do it
for..

Some cruisers feel the same as you and do exercise routines that lend
themselves to the confines of the boat or go ashore for long brisk walks
(sounds like sight seeing to me).


--
My opinion and experience. FWIW

Steve
s/v Good Intentions

On 24 Mar 2004 18:13:07 GMT, (Gould 0738) wrote:

If "you sit at the helm for hours on end, daily" then your not cruising,
your driving your boat.

Isn't the OP a power boater? If so, so much for windvanes.

I don't see that in the original post. If he is, don't they usually
come with little padded bar stools?

As far as autopilot goes, that may be fine
offshore but in coastal cruising or inland waters there is usually enough
traffic that one has to keep a constant lookout, anyway.

Well, I meant while I go forward, keeping an eye out. For that matter,
sometimes I just go head to wind under power at dead slow...the
autopilot is handy then.

One of my personal gripes is encountering a give way vessel that is reluctant
to make a course or speed adjustment in a timely manner because some damn
computer is actually running the boat. The computer doesn't know the rules of
the road, and the GPS doesn't even know any other vessels exist. :-)

Mine is a far more "hands on" set-up, and the Autohelm I use is a
model not much more complex than a steel stick and a toy motor. But I
know the type and carry an air horn for just such an occasion. Shame
about the naval whites, old bean....G

R.

I actually use a drafting chair from OfficeMax. Removed the wheels and put
pads on the bottom. Pretty comfortable and around $100.

--


Keith
__
"It's God's responsibility to forgive Osama Bin Laden. It's our
responsibility to arrange the meeting." - United States Marines
"Florida Keyz" wrote in message
...
Seems to me , the two weak points physically while cruising are

1. Getting out of shape (you sit at the helm for hours on end, daily.]

2. the most improtant seat in the boat, the helm seat, is usually very
uncomcortable. Looking for recomendations on seats.

thanks

Sterling

I actually use a drafting chair from OfficeMax. Removed the wheels and put
pads on the bottom. Pretty comfortable and around $100.

Yes, removing the wheels would be a very good idea. :-)