Re: Digest for tollycraft-boating-club-forum@googlegroups.com - 4 updates in 1 topic

[comm...@tollyclub.com]

We have a '89 34 Sport without a lower helm.  We knew when we bought her that we'd  ALWAYS drive from the bridge, especially in bad weather for better visibility. We had lower helms on our 30' and our 26'. Never used them because of low visibility. 

Susan Rebello

On 2025-04-06 20:46, tollycraft-boa...@googlegroups.com wrote:

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cockpit lower helm

KAE ROSENBERG <kaeros...@comcast.net>: Apr 06 02:29PM -0700 While looking at Tollycraft 34, boats for sale, we noticed that some of them do not have a lower helm. What is the purpose of that. It would seem that would be difficult in bad weather situation. Does anyone have the answer? Kae and Richard Mapel KAE ROSENBERG DESIGN kaeros...@comcast.net mailto:kaerosenberg@comcast.net KaeRosenbergInteriorDesign.com 707-495-5292

Mark <markf...@gmail.com>: Apr 06 03:28PM -0700 Hi Kae,   Unless you have a covered flybridge it's not a great idea to remove your lower helm for more space below.   We bought our 34' 7 years ago and have added a removable canvas including covering the aft cockpit area. It's full of removable windows and is now a 4 season boat, since adding a diesel cabin heater.   Like your website says a blend of "classic and modern" that's a good description of our 34'.   If you'd like to take a tour I'd love to show you guys how we've made that happen. It's pretty much the perfect 34' for us now.   It's at Anacortes Marina, if you'd like to tour, we've gone through every system over the years. It's not listed for sale, but could be.   Hope something here helps,   Mark and Jill Barrett   425-418-6045

(null) anderson.don <anders...@frontier.com>: Apr 06 04:01PM -0700 Not sure which model 34 you're referring to but if it's the 34 Sport Sedan/Sport Fisher, the visibility from the lower helm is so poor that it's more or less pointless. I use mine to start and warm up the engines but all the piloting is done from the upper helm. Maybe I'm just not tall enough :)   Sent from my iPhone   On Apr 6, 2025, at 2:29 PM, 'KAE ROSENBERG' via Tollycraft Boating Club Forum <tollycraft-boa...@googlegroups.com> wrote:     While looking at Tollycraft 34, boats for sale, we noticed that some of them do not have a lower helm. What is the purpose of that. It would seem that would be difficult in bad weather situation.   Does anyone have the answer?   Kae and Richard Mapel   KAE ROSENBERG DESIGN   kaeros...@comcast.net   KaeRosenbergInteriorDesign.com   707-495-5292   --   You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Tollycraft Boating Club Forum" group.   To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to tollycraft-boating-c...@googlegroups.com.   To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/tollycraft-boating-club-forum/1822209563.215192.1743974990024%40connect.xfinity.com.

james Cooley <jfco...@gmail.com>: Apr 06 06:44PM -0500 I had a 34 Sundeck for 10 years.   Loved the flybridge on nice days, but when it was cooler or raining, no place like the lower helm.   Wouldn't own a boat without the lower helm.   On Sun, Apr 6, 2025, 4:29 PM 'KAE ROSENBERG' via Tollycraft Boating Club

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[Greg Gustafson]

I have a 1988 34' Sport Sedan.  When I was shopping, I thought a lower helm was a must-have.  After talking to numerous owners of the same boat who have lower helms, they mostly pilot from the flybridge.  Visibility is way better.  I bought a boat without a lower helm.  I am totally happy with it and never miss not being able to pilot from the lower level.  The visibility is so poor, even if I had the choice, I would always pilot from the flybridge.  Lastly, a single helm is simpler wiring, and you don't have to buy "twice the electronics." 

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[Craig Pierantozzi]

Not a tolly, but we did the same thing on a Meridian 411. Bought the flybridge only version after talking to multiple 411 owners. Biggest feedback was that they didn't use the lower helm and it became a clothes rack that took up space. The version without the lower helm had a larger horseshoe shaped galley settee and due to lack of the need for a foot well, more head room in the midship stateroom. I'm not as familiar with the tolly models but i suspect the same pros/cons exist.

regards

-Craig

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