T&T: Lower stations, do you use yours?

[Elliott Bray]

The answer to the question is "No". The wheel has even been removed for more
space in the saloon.

But, as said many times, there are different owners with different boats all
trying to answer a single question.

When we shopped for 'the' boat, one of the things on our list was access to
the upper helm (if the boat had one) without having to to outside. Letitia
has a pipe-rack enclosure with canvas (the high tech kind) and strataglass
over the upper helm so except for cold weather, we are effectively inside.
Access from enclosed sundeck.

In bad weather I don't like being down below (a little 'mal de something or
other') anyway. Visibility is much better. The only time I think about a
lower station with access to a side door is when I contemplate
locking/dockimg singlehanded - but I havn't had to do that yet.

Again, were I shopping for another boat, access to the upper helm without
having to go outside would be right up there even tho that rules out most
'classic' trawlers.

YMMV

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Elliott Bray
M/V Letitia - Gulfstar 44 MC
www.loopcruiser.com
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