The image at right shows how we redesigned the helm. Notice there is no wheel. Steering is done with the Simrad follow-up steering lever.
The helm chair has the skipper's legs slightly under the helm counter top, which makes steering, throttle, gear and computer controls all accessible without leaning forward. We have used this configuration for hundreds of hours and are incredibly pleased with the results.
The helm is wrapped in black Ultra Leather with flat screen monitors mounted in front of the chair. The headliner is new with LED lighting. The two screens and the laptop are running Nobeltec Admiral software.
All other instruments are housed in the overhead console
In the Beginning......
Chicory's helm was much like all 46 foot Nordhavns. There was no room for a helm chair, which necessitated having to stand much of the time if you were not using autopilot. When I started planning the rewiring and helm reconstruction project, I wanted to ensure a helm chair would fit with plenty of room for Tracy to walk behind me. This space reconfiguration required complete removal of all existing helm components and rebuilding from scratch.
The helm as PAE built it.
The disassembly process....
During the disassembly process Tracy and I removed two large yard-waste size trash bags full of wiring that went nowhere. This wiring was from components that were added and removed throughout the years and no one removed the associated wiring.
Disasembly
Disassembly Complete
Once the old helm and associated electronics, wiring and controls were removed, my plans could be finalized with acurate mesurements. The fiberglass ledge shown is an original component of the pilothouse structure and is utilized as the forward most support for the new helms countertop.
Old Helm Removed
Prototyping thru preproduction mock-ups
The drawings I made during the planning stage "looked" like I would have plenty of room for quick assess to the helm chair and that the planned helm would be both astatically and functionally pleasing. I first build a cardboard scale mock-up of the new helm in the pilothouse to ensure what looked good in a drawing translated well to the real world.
Once I was confident in the drawing and the final measurements, I made a pre-production plywood template of the helm counter top to check how the electrical panel fixture that was built in my garage fit with everything. Once again, my measurements said that Tracy would be able to stand on the stairs and have comfortable access to all electrical switches; however, verifying this prior to wiring the panels was a step I was not willing to skip.
Fitting Prototype
Panels wired and counter top laminated
Once I was confident everything was planed correctly, I started construction. The first step was to tie the boats wiring into the new electrical panels. (To learn more about electrical renovation, please navigate to that section of the site) The next step was to build the counter top with all supports in place and laminate. This was the first time it felt like things were starting to come together. The next major step in the project was to install all the electronics I had remove during disassembly. You will notice previous owners of the boat did not utilize the overhead consol to its full extent. Because of my desire to have a clean helm made up primarily of computer screens, I used the overhead console to house nearly everything else.
Early Construction
Steady Progress
Once all the controls, electronics and electrical components were installed, the final step was to start construction on the helm base. One very nice design feature of the helm base is the two large removable panels designed to conceal the electrical and electronic spaces. Once removed, you have unfettered access to the back side of the electrical panels for adding additional components and performing maintenance.
