General question on seating and visibility

[Peter61]

Hi, new poster here. I'm in PNW, currently in the market for a new boat. I have a question about seating and visibility at the helm on say a 2004 Sundancer 280, 2005 Sea Ray 290 Sun Sport, or 2007 Sea Ray 290 Amberjack (those are the specific boats I'm just looking at on the internet).

I have some mobility restrictions that make standing for longer periods uncomfortable. Sure, I can stand up long enough to take the boat on plane, but for any real cruising I will need to sit down. Now maybe this sounds just kind of dumb, but whenever I see pictures of people driving these express cruisers, they're always standing up, and so that's my question, what is the visibility like if you need to sit? Or do people sit on the bolster cushion to get more height? Apologies if this is a dumb question, but I'm just trying to get a sense of this before I bother a seller with a sea trial...

Last boat was a 26 foot flybridge (not Sea Ray), and I really liked the visibility up there, but it's hard to find a newer flybridge boat (2002-2005 say) that's not around 34 feet, and I don't really want something that big, either for size or budget. So now I'm looking at Sea Ray express boats instead of flybridge.

Any input appreciated, thanks

 

[Scott215]

Flip up bolster seats work great on sea rays

 

[Lazy Daze]

I've driven all of those and I never felt uncomfortable behind the wheel. They have long bows and your seating position is certainly not elevated like you're used to. But the seating position is normal for the style boat they are.

The reality is that once you're up and cruising you're really not looking at what's right in front of you, anyways. In the case of lobster traps (or similar), you'll get used to judging where they are as you lose sight of them. It will take some getting used to, but again, I've never uncomfortable or worried.

All of those boats do likely have the flip up bolster that gives you some extra height. If it's a little uncomfortable for you for the long haul, you could build a (for example) 6" or 8" box for under your feet for when you're on the bolster.

Keeping the boat trimmed properly will, of course, help.

 

[TNT8808]

If you still needed more height you could get something like a Bolster Buddy.

 

[dwna1a]

You will never get the view like the one on a Flybridge. At low speed or on plane my 30’ has a great view. Between those to I must stand and look over the bow

 

[Peter61]

Thank you all, this is useful.

I will usually either be on plane or at low speed, and will have no trouble standing during transitions.

i Also like the idea of sitting on the bolster and/or bolster buddy type of thing, I think that will help.

Beats sitting on the couch at home anyways!

 

[techmitch]

Welcome to CSR Peter. Good luck and enjoy shopping.

 

[Peter61]

Thanks! Looking forward to this season.

 

[Gofirstclass]

Peter,
Welcome to CSR from another PNW boater who also is boatless and has trouble standing for long periods. I was a boater for 60+ years but had to sell the last one because of balance issues.

Here's my last Sea Ray. Had to sell her about 5 years ago and I still miss her every day.

BTW, how about filling in the rest of your profile so we all can get an idea of what part of the PNW you live in.

Mike

 

[Little Ducky]

You are very correct.

On my 98 290 DA .... really anything faster then cocktail speed I have to be standing or at least have the bolster up and be in the stand and sit position.

 

[Peter61]

Peter,
Welcome to CSR from another PNW boater who also is boatless and has trouble standing for long periods. I was a boater for 60+ years but had to sell the last one because of balance issues.

Here's my last Sea Ray. Had to sell her about 5 years ago and I still miss her every day.

BTW, how about filling in the rest of your profile so we all can get an idea of what part of the PNW you live in.

Mike

OK! I've now done that! Of course, someone paying close attention may note that in fact my avatar picture is NOT a picture of the pacific northwest, but rather a sunset shot I took in Maui, back when it was still untouched by tragedy. I'll have to change my avatar once I get the new boat!