Visibility aboard LM32

[chrismunson]

There are a number of comments here, thought I'd share how I have adapted my LM32 'Valiant' to the warm climes of the Chesapeake Bay. First, I built a small wood platform, about 14 inches square and 6 inches high, and keep it below the helm to stand on when at the wheel. This is an enormous help especially to anyone less than 6 feet tall! The next modification was to have a custom-made opening center window, this lets in a nice blast of air and adds to the openness of the wheelhouse. Also added a wind direction/speed sensor, very helpful as there are points of sail when you cannot see what the main is doing from the helm!

I tiller steer a lot, and found doing so while sitting or standing in the cockpit to be awkward, and could not see over the pilothouse. Built a bench across the entire lower level of the stern rail, and had a cushion fitted. Viola! Seated steering, with tiller using a hiking stick, and relaxing against the stern rail. Perfect.

And then there the sunset cruise with mate, lounging up on the fore-deck with the autopilot remote in hand.........but I'd never do that.

[Sula]

Interesting ideas, Chris. I've wondered about a similar stern seat for my LM27.

But it's very cruel to post pictures of you sailing in shorts and short-sleeved shirt, when I'm sitting indoors with a fleece on, the collar turned up, sheepskin boot slippers, and a heater on! Your boat looks great, though.

I've just had a look at a map of Chesapeake Bay. Looks an appealing cruising ground. I live in Norfolk, but sadly the wrong one!

[oceandancer]

Hi, I have always thought that the LM design intention is that you look THROUGH the wheelhouse not over it. I do not understand the objection to this, particularly when you see how many yachties are sailing around peering through crinkly plastic spray hoods.

MICK

[Charles]

We have a folding stool which we put on the stern deck of our LM 27. This allows the helm to sit facing forward, looking above the wheelhouse and below the mainsail; you can get rid of it very quickly if you are going to tack or jibe. It works well and gets round the problem of either standing for long periods or looking through the wheelhouse, though I'm not sure if it would work on the bigger LMs. Try it.
Charles