Helmsman seats.
Printed From: myHanse.com
Category: Hints & Tips
Forum Name: 461 / 470
Forum Description: 461 / 470 Hints and Tips
URL: https://www.myhanse.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1148
Printed Date: 27 March 2026 at 03:40
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.06 - https://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Helmsman seats.
Posted By: Sortebill
Subject: Helmsman seats.
Date Posted: 29 March 2007 at 20:30
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We are considering ordering a 470e and are struggling a bit with the solution offered by the Hanse yard as far as helmsman seats are concerned. In heavy sailing with some degree of list the seats seems not to provide any sensible support at all. Anyone with any experience with these seats? Would it be possible to get two “boxes” or benches of some sort delivered by the yard which leaves at least part of the aft area open? Any other suggestions? Secondly; from the pictures we have been able to locate on the net there seems not to be any “handling bars” in the roof in the saloon. This area being quite big and open could be a challenge to move around in during heavy seas. Suggestions?
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Replies:
Posted By: tobo
Date Posted: 29 March 2007 at 20:52
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The story of the helmsman's seats is a tragedy. At the moment we are at the beginning of act II: appearance of the hero. So far, nobody has seen a piece out of a production - which is not done by Hanse - except a prototype. (s. my website: http://www.sarabella.ch/HTML/sysarabella-steuermannssitze.htm - http://www.sarabella.ch/HTML/sysarabella-steuermannssitze.htm ) I ordered the seats unseen in lack of an alternative, but I think they will be ok. I'll get my boat next week but probably without them. Apparently there are others waiting unpatiently since months! (End of act II: revolution of the common people). If it is a Greek tragedy the hero will die, if it is a Roman one: the common people will take over the ruling. Let's hope for the second! ------------- Thomi |
Posted By: SailerMan
Date Posted: 30 March 2007 at 00:45
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I am in then process of evaluating several boats in the 44-46 foot range including the Hanse 470 and Dehler 44. The Dehler has an interesting option for seating with two transom "boxes" and a boarding ladder incorporated in the center section. They are removable for racing mode. A very interesting approach. The Hanse solution looks like an after thought and a poor one at that. I am anxious to sea trial both boats in May. ------------- SailMan |
Posted By: Singapore Bill
Date Posted: 30 March 2007 at 02:49
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That seat looks like it would be very hot on one's "rear-end" in the tropics (assume it is a synthetic cuchion cover). I would prefer a hard (cambered) seat with an optional removable cushion. Much more practical in wet weather too. Breathable Sunbrella canvas with foam insert for cushion would be much more comfortable than vinyl too.
Seat looks more style than function in my humble opinion.
Hanse prototype seat pictured here for reference:
 Tobo - thanks for the Greek/Roman tragi-comedy. Made me laugh!
Cheers,
Bill
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Posted By: Charlie
Date Posted: 30 March 2007 at 07:32
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Hi I have been working 2 transom boxes for my 470 I have seen the prototype on the yacht; and it is what I am looking for ie a SIMPLE solution. They are 600mmx500mmx375mm, concave on top with teak strip finish. they have a hinged top to allow access to water tight storage within. The rear wall is thicker to allow a back rest to be bolted on if required. They are removable. These seats will fit 430, 470 , 540 630. If anyone is interested, I can give more details , we can make more!! (at a price!!!) Charlie |
Posted By: John Allison
Date Posted: 30 March 2007 at 10:37
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Re Handholds below.
The 461 came with a vertical stainless hanhold adjacent to the forecabin door. We ordered another and mounted it over the nav station. With bars at companionway, plus this added, plus one orginal forward - we've always got a secure handhold to use.
Can email you pictures if you wish.
JOHN ------------- No longer a Hanse owner - but loved the one we had! |
Posted By: tobo
Date Posted: 30 March 2007 at 13:36
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Dear Charlie Would you have a picture please? ------------- Thomi |
Posted By: Singapore Bill
Date Posted: 30 March 2007 at 20:24
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Charlie,
Sounds like a much better design.
Is this something you are doing with Hanse's involvement or have you taken this upon yourself to do on your own? I admire your initiative. If is the former, but do honestly remain concerned about how this might impact the warranty on the boat. Any idea?
No offense intended, please. Just trying to cover all bases (and, yes, a photo/drawing would be very helpful).
With thanks, Bill
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Posted By: Charlie
Date Posted: 30 March 2007 at 22:09
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Hi FYI i work for Hanse Scotland, and have been trying to work on this seat problem for a while, I will post a pic of the PROTOTYPE soon, be aware that the final ones are smaller and neater!! They are unofficial, purely a result of head scratching and evolution from other designs seen at boat shows!! John, can I ask how much 10mm chain you carry, I have 60m and a 25kg delta, I want to carry spare chain, I think you once told me you kept some in the biges? sounds a good idea to keep this wieght low and central, if you keep it in bilges do you keep it loose or wrap it up? C. |
Posted By: taduka
Date Posted: 01 April 2007 at 11:39
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hi Charlie would be interesting to see your solution! Shawn |
Posted By: John Allison
Date Posted: 01 April 2007 at 20:25
Hi Charlie,
I carried and additional 50 M for last season, and simply fed it into the space above the keel inside the steel frame. Not wrapped - simply fed in to settle as low as it could go. The plan was to leave it there until I ever felt it was needed.
But at end of season took it forward and joined it to the standard 60 M provided, with the aim o fkeeping it all in the regular chain locker - to only then realise with the port side chain lead to the locker, the combined extra length simply filled the chain locker causing the chain to stack up and jam below the hawse hole.
By moving the winch and its hawse hole further inboard and forward it got better (and also allowed us to mount the lewmar manual lever option), but we found any more than 90 M would always stck to the hawse hole and still jam. So we cut off the extra 20 M and gave it away!
To be honest - never yet even laid out 60 M of chain - so not really sure adding it was worthwhile.
Cheers
JOHN ------------- No longer a Hanse owner - but loved the one we had! |
Charlie wrote:Posted By: Brad McMaster
Date Posted: 01 April 2007 at 20:50
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Hey Charlie,
Out of interest i had 100m add to Ghost from the beginning and the anchor locker swallows it easily so if you go that route you can do so with confidence.
I ahve also work a solution for easily accessable liferaft storage. It is a cage and rail solution use the roof of the lazzeratte. I am 75% sure i'll go with your helm seat solution providei can still use my manual bilge (mines in a differenht loco than yours).
Will be in touch.
Brad ------------- GHOST - Hanse 470e - 058 http://www.sailblogs.com/member/ghost/ |
Posted By: Charlie
Date Posted: 02 April 2007 at 15:21
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Posted By: Charlie
Date Posted: 02 April 2007 at 15:23
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be aware that this was a very rough prototype, the finished ones will be much tidier, also the hieght has been reduced to tie-in with the combing/general style. also we have reduced the fore to aft dimension by 75mm
They will be removable and watertight inside.
there will be a teak trim around the top
Charlie
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Posted By: Brad McMaster
Date Posted: 02 April 2007 at 17:37
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Can't wait to see the final product.
When will that be??
And are the dimension you mentioned before, including the most recent changes?
What would the lead time be on a set now?
Brad ------------- GHOST - Hanse 470e - 058 http://www.sailblogs.com/member/ghost/ |
Posted By: Impressa
Date Posted: 04 April 2007 at 17:00
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Hello Charlie
This looks like more interessting then what perhaps coms from Hanse. Will your helmsman seats fit to a 430?
best regards
Claude
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Posted By: Sortebill
Date Posted: 10 April 2007 at 20:16
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Thanks to Charlie re seats. Anyone know if Hanse in Germany is picking up on the idea?
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Posted By: Charlie
Date Posted: 11 April 2007 at 07:20
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just had word that the finalised seats should be on the yacht early next week ! Pics to follow. C |
Posted By: Charlie
Date Posted: 12 May 2007 at 17:00
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Hi Please see attached the final helmsmans seat in position, I am very happy with them. uploads/20070512_165817_IMG_0007.JPG - uploads/20070512_165817_IMG_0007.JPG |
Posted By: tobo
Date Posted: 11 August 2007 at 12:56
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Here are the newest pcis of the seats mounted in reality on a 470. But the pic's date is from April 07. This should be the serial product. WE stopped the ordering as they consume to much space when going ashore (gangway) or sheeting the gennaker. Link: http://www.sarabella.ch/images/helmsman-seats-30-04-07.jpg - www.sarabella.ch/images/helmsman-seats-30-04-07.jpg ------------- Thomi |
Posted By: Richard108
Date Posted: 12 August 2007 at 00:21
Here is a couple of pictures of the seats on my 540 that left the factory at the end of May.
 ------------- Regards Richard ("Moksha" 540 #115 delivered Sept 2007) Pittwater, Sydney, Australia |
Posted By: Richard108
Date Posted: 12 August 2007 at 00:23
 ------------- Regards Richard ("Moksha" 540 #115 delivered Sept 2007) Pittwater, Sydney, Australia |
Posted By: Charlie
Date Posted: 28 August 2007 at 15:29
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hi
I have "lived" with my helmsmans seats as previously shown for 4 months now, sailing round biscay to santander.
I cannot compliment them enough, they are comfortable and secure in a swell.
\if you would like to talkto the maker, who says he will make more on order then call:
Jim Boyle on 0044 (0) 1475 5223300
Tell him charlie ambrose gave you his name.
The 470 still continues to shine, with no problems encountered, we even sailed by an x yacht 55 the other day !!the owner was not impressed !!
Charlie.
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Posted By: tobo
Date Posted: 28 August 2007 at 16:41
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Dear Charlie
We would be interested to see some pictures of your mounting. My dealer was reluctant on putting them on and finally we took back the order. Especially because we thought they take away to much space to move around and also because we have mounted the folded gangway on one side. WE instead mounted handrails in front of the steering whweels (s. other thread) and will mount some removable footsteps.
 ------------- Thomi |
Posted By: Brad McMaster
Date Posted: 28 August 2007 at 22:53
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I must admit, having weathered one of the worst fastnet's in recent history with no helm seats i struggle to understand why you all want them??
The issue of security is redundant. The issue of comfort is achieved and satisfied by the side combing.
I'm convinced they are not need. I will not be installing helm seats on GHOST in the near future.
B ------------- GHOST - Hanse 470e - 058 http://www.sailblogs.com/member/ghost/ |
Posted By: marcust
Date Posted: 29 August 2007 at 08:51
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It surely depends on what kind of sailing you are mostly doing. For racing and fastnets etc you probably don't want them. But for cruising long distance when the autohelm is doing most of the steering the helmsman seats are a great place to kick back, relax and keep a view on instruments, course etc.
------------- Marcus Tettmar http://www.mjtnet.com/" rel="nofollow - Macro Recorder & Windows Automation Tools. Automate your business so YOU can go sailing. We'll show you how. |
Posted By: Charlie
Date Posted: 29 August 2007 at 10:41
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yep, we are in full cruising mode ! so seats are great to relax in.
horses for courses and all that, we are going to fit some grab bars like tobo, but with a curved back rest on the forward side so we can lie out facing forwards, (we really are becoming lazy!). from there we can keep an eye on all instruments and chart plotter.
C
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Posted By: Brad McMaster
Date Posted: 30 August 2007 at 23:22
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agreed. i kick back facing forward on the cockpit seat back resting on the wheel support. which means i can see the chartplotter etc. Still not conveniced that helm seats are required.
------------- GHOST - Hanse 470e - 058 http://www.sailblogs.com/member/ghost/ |
Posted By: Florence
Date Posted: 06 May 2023 at 06:19
| Hi this is Florence, we're very interested on your helm seats, but we have a 545 instead, just wonder if you could help to locate your supplier for an inquiry. We're from Hong Kong. Your help is much appreciated. Thanks |
Posted By: Florence
Date Posted: 06 May 2023 at 06:21
| Hi This is Florence. We're very interested in your helm seats. It would be very much appreciated if you would help to provide contact information of your supplier for a0ainquiry since we have a 545 instead. Thanks for your help. |
Posted By: JonB
Date Posted: 15 May 2023 at 20:45
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Hi Charlie, How's the old wooden yacht? You sold us Norse King almost 12 years ago! There's chap here in Southampton who made these for a Hanse that lives in Gosport, I can find his details if required.  The chap who had them made keeps a couple of canisters of gas in them.  There is on this forum, possibly the larger yachts, a diagram showing details to make a grab rail that sits in front of the wheels that comes off the back of the seats, I kept a copy of the plan as I might have these made myself. Let me know if you want me to scan them in ------------- Jon B 470e http://www.norse-king.blogspot.co.uk |