Thinking of a bridge remodel

I hate the bench seat helm currently (top pic) I am partial to the wet bar but I can relocate the ice make and fridge to lockers built in to the settees.
I love the idea of three captains chairs. As it is the forward facing bench helm seating is useless unless underway and then a Pita for the skipper to get to and from the center helm position with guests sitting on either side.
I don’t use and won’t miss the sink at all and can always use a portable table to use the bridge as an out door kitchen when the need arises. The biggest obstacle will be removing the one piece island helm unit. It will have to go out thru the sun roof, then down 15 plus feet to the dock. This will take some planning and some recruitment of a few strong backs. Am I crazy?
Carpe Diem

 

Thats the look I'm going for
The biggest challenge is deciding on how deep to go on helm chairs. Amazing on the cost range on them.

 

The wife agreed that the three pedestal helm seats instead of the wet bar/bench seat was a good idea so I decided to get going before she reconsidered. She even agreed to replace the dish washer in the galley with the ice maker from the bridge.
Tomorrow I’ll start to cut the island up into manageable pieces as it will not even fit through the sun roof. I hate to destroy the island but I can’t see having a use for it so I’ll cut it up. I think I can do in a way that it could be repurposed . We will see.
Carpe Diem

 

The biggest obstacle will be finding helm chairs the wife and I agree on.

 

Truth be told, I’m not too worried about what she wants because she will never decide if left to her. We have very similar tastes so whatever I end up doing she will be fine with it. As for supply chain issues, I can use a deck chair if I need to move the boat or even cruise somewhere in the waters we operate in.
I find that the best way to get anything done is dive in. If I pondered it much, I’d never do it.
A secondary benefit, I can repurpose the helm chair to the dink! Captain Comfy!

 

The way this boat gets used and the water we use it in does not require the higher end of the scale in helm seats. 90 percent of the use will be at the dock and lounging. I am thinking of going with free standing pedestal chairs that can be moved around but tied down in the rare occasion we find ourselves in rough seas. I can also take them to the dock and avoid owning another set of deck chairs. Lots to consider for sure.
The island was chopped into three pieces and hauled off the dock. I hated to chop up a $5000 plus bridge option but the likelihood of me finding a good use for it does not justify the PITA in keeping it around.
Next step, pattern for the new Corinthian carpet and decide on which way to go with the seating. So many choices!!
CD

 

We decided and by we I mean my wife, on Taylor Made reclining high back chairs for the bridge. I ordered one at first to make sure we liked the quality and color. Wife is happy so I’ll order two more. They are very comfortable and the ability to recline was a must. The one that was sent has uneven arms so I’ll need to see how the seller wants to handle that. Ordering the Corinthian Aqua Mat in the morning.
CD

 

Progress update on the bridge remodel:
Received the rest of the chairs and pedestals.
Repaired the hole in the floor where the utilities for the wet bar were.
Positioned the seats and temporarily bolted to the floor.
I am expecting the Aqua Mat flooring to arrive from Corinthian Marine this week so I can cut to fit and have bound locally. Then I will install the carpet and seal and bolt in the seats permanently.
I know a couple of you advised against the high back seats, but my first mate wanted the high backs. I am okay with them as I cannot back down while seated anyway. I was concerned about the size of the seats, but they all fit well with plenty of space to swivel 360 even is partially reclined.
Ill post final pics when the carpet is in.

 

On plane? What’s that?
They are on 12-18 inch adjustable pedestals so I can raise them if needed.