Mahe 36: Helm Station

[Eric66]

Mark,

about "sitting in a chair forward facing looking out the front windows", I bought 2 kind of a "saloon chair" (adjustable in height) and man you don't know the confort it is!
I just can't do without it!
I didn't even have to screw them on the floor. Even on rough sea, they don't fall down or skid. See the tilt and the swell through the windows!

Cheers.
Eric.

[Cotemar]

Eric,

Nice chairs. Mine has the same base and foot rest but has no back rest.
May have to get another one for when company is aboard. Nice job on the Helm cover, looks like it fits perfectly.

Mark

[lstyles]

I'd like to get a chair like that. Anyone know where I can get one here in the US?
thanks,
Lori

[Eric66]

Lori,
I think I saw them at TARGET in LA 2 years ago but I'm not sure.
You can also go and search on google: "bar chair" or "saloon chair".
Otherwise here is a link: bar chair,plastic barstool,plastic bar stool,saloon chair (2-17) products, buy bar chair,plastic barstool,plastic bar stool,saloon chair (2-17) products from alibaba.com
Good luck.
Eric.

[Eric66]

Here is another link: Gino White Bar Stool Set | Dining Room Furniture | Alphaville Design

[longislandsail]

Hi All
I have done a few things on the boat during the summer and just now getting around to telling the group about them sorry it took so long. I have installed a new wheel. I was a mono hull sailer for years and used to a large wheel, the one on the mahe is like a car steering wheel. The standard wheel is 20 inches, I bought a 24 inch wheel from defender. It is a Edson wheel I aso had it covered in grey leather. It fits perfectly and the only other item to by is the edsion wheel nut which is also carried by defender. Total cost was $625.00 shipped directly from edson. Here are some pics of the wheel.
Al

[longislandsail]

Hello again
Now that I have installed a leather wraped wheel I need to keep it looking good. I had a helm cover made to cover all the electronics and keep the helm clean since there is no cover over that part of the boat. I had it made from Stamoid the same material as my bimini, works great and comes off and goes on in less than a min. Here are some pics of it.
Al

[Cotemar]

Mahe's

Been having a ball using my iPad2 for navigation. Mostly use it at the Nav station with the remote auto pilot, but with these RAM mounts It can be moved to the helm in just seconds.

At the nav station I use the RAM mounts with the industrial suction cups like the ones they lift windshields with. They are perfect for this and I just remove them in seconds when not in use.

Mark

[MKB53]

Hi Mark

Interested to see the Ipad making it out on the water! Have you integrated it with your instruments to get speed through water/ wind data etc?

Regards
Martin

[Cotemar]

Martin,

It displays most boat vitals right now.
I just have to bluetooth or wifi the NMEA 2000 wind into it.

[MKB53]

Mark

I use a std laptop with Nav software that is designed for touch screen. I was considering getting a Tablet Laptop (ie: touch screen) and then started the "why old generation and not a tablet IPad or similar?" discussion with myself.

Connectivity does seem to be an issue if you do not go Bluetooth. Also the tablets seems to have successfully kept one out of the tech level configurations which bothers me - I am a control freak and don't trust suppliers to know what is good for me.

In reality I am spending so much on other boat bits at the moment that deferring any additional expenditure is probably the only answer.

The multiplexor that I use to consolidate all the instrument NMEA and AIS traffic for the Nav SW has a Bluetooth option although I use USB. Adding Bluetooth to a USB device should be easy.

Regards
Martin

[Clipperton]

Hello,

I have been sailing couple weeks with my Mahé in the long island sound. That was really great. I am thinking about adding an extra GPS chart plotter (garmin 5208) at helm station and was wondering if someone did have to make the wires come to helm station (GPS antenna, Radar and connection to the auto pilot for NAV function). i would love to do it myself but am not sure about what it takes. Thanks for your answers.
Clipperton

[Cotemar]

Alex “Clipperton”,

I have the Garmin 5208 touch screen. Have posted some of the install which I would call a DYI project. Power cable from radar went to Nav station switch. Data cable from radar goes to helm. You will need 25 foot wire snake (Fish Tape) to get the wires down the long raceways.
They sell them at Home Depot for $10 usd. Call or PM me if you would like all the details and pictures.

You may want to consider the Garmin 740, which is only 1 inch smaller but $1,500 usd cheaper.

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=148&pID=37721

Mark

[Cotemar]

Mahe’s

Had to make an adjustment to my port engine gear shifting and noticed that when I took the cover off, their was no name or numbers on the Helm Throttle and Gear shift controls.
Had to search a bit, but found what I needed and wanted to share it with you for any future needs.

It is made by Teleflex Marine www.teleflexmarine.com
Part # 309479

Teleflex Marine SL3 Top Mount Twin Standard 309479

The manual was not shown on their web site, so I e-mailed them and they sent it to me.
Also shows the Universal 3300 / 33C type cables that are used.

See the attached Manual and info.


To remove the cover, just push both throttle levers full forward and lift the center cover off. It may have a bit of silicon holding it on, but with a tug it pops off.
It is actually two identical shifters, just bolted together.

Mark

[Clipperton]

Hello,

I did set-up this garmin 5208 at my helm station. I am not the fastest guy for DIY project but all in all (thanks Cotemar) I did.
Much more convenient now as I don't have do go up and down between nav station and helm station.
Cutting the helm board was OK (jigsaw and dremel for finish). Power cable no issue. Just struggling with the garmin network plug (rj45 that I need to put on). I used a regular ethernet cable and bought the two garmin ethernet plugs but somehow it does not work. i guess my RJ45 are not correctly plugged in. I will cut them and redo.
If you need advice (I am a true starter on that front ;-)), just ask and I will try to help.

Alex