Flybridge removal, 1972 43DC

[brettportzer]

Well, I finally got it done, removed the bridge from our 43DC.

I just really prefer the lower station for a variety of reasons, and in our area the extra height gain is worth the work of removing it.

Plus I will get to replace all of the gauges, and control cables, etc.

This could have been a hard job, but honestly I was amazed out how easily separated from the hard top the bridge was.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

I like the looks for of the flat top.

 

[Jammin']

Much better in my opinion.

 

[SeaEric]

Huge improvement! IMHO yours is now the perfect 43 DC. Twins aft, unmolsted mozambique interior, 671N's and NO FLYBRIDGE.

 

[sgharford]

That's the first time I've seen that done - Thank You for sharing! I think everybody agrees a 43 DC looks better without the FB. I rarely use mine, but I do really like it for night time operation or when I just want to get away from the crowd below. The kids (and myself) love jumping off boat from up there too when anchored.

You know the 53MY looks really sharp too without the FB. In my weekly ebay searches for treasure, I saw this 53MY without a FB and was really impressed how much better it looks.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1977-Hatte...066850?hash=item48f1d756e2:g:SIcAAOSwpd9fquzh

 

[jmooney]

Looks great . I have seen a 53 in Key Largo without a fly bridge. Very good looking , lines much like the east bays and Sabres. That said , I always run our boat from the fly bridge and would be nervous using the lower helm exclusively.

 

[brettportzer]

I did see lots of posts mentioning removing the bridge, but it didn't seem as though anyone actually did it.

My previous boat was a Trojan F-32 and the flybridge was the place that I always ran it from, the lower helm was terrible. IMO, on this boat, it is the opposite, and I didn't take to the flybridge.

We boat mostly on the upper part of the Hudson River in NY, and navigate the locks a fair amount.

Without access to help with line handling and things, it would be tough for us. All of these locks and floating docks up here are harder to navigate than places that predominately have pilings and fixed docks, I think.

BTW we are keeping the access hatch for sure, and re-engineering the ladder so that it will fold up to the ceiling.

 

[sgharford]

Regarding the ladder, you may want to consider a telescopic ladder as easier alternative. It's what I have been using for years after I removed the stock one. I was going to do fold up to ceiling as well, but felt I or my guests may hit their heads on it when up. I keep it folded up next to lower helm when not in use, does not get in the way.

https://www.amazon.com/WolfWise-Alu...hvlocphy=2840&hvtargid=pla-696054564644&psc=1

 

[brettportzer]

Regarding the ladder, you may want to consider a telescopic ladder as easier alternative. It's what I have been using for years after I removed the stock one. I was going to do fold up to ceiling as well, but felt I or my guests may hit their heads on it when up. I keep it folded up next to lower helm when not in use, does not get in the way.

https://www.amazon.com/WolfWise-Alu...hvlocphy=2840&hvtargid=pla-696054564644&psc=1

Yea, that may be a possibility as well. Thanks for the link!

 

[jim rosenthal]

I think both of these boats, teh 43 and 53, were designed without the flying bridge. I agree that both look better without it. I suspect removing all that weight high above the roll center makes the boat more stable, as well, although I don't think Hatteras would have built a boat that was excessively tender.

 

[No control]

Hey, sorry to bump an old thread, but I figured I'd share this.

I was just poking around, expanding my search to different models/layouts and happened to notice that Hatteras has a picture of a FB-less 53MY in one of their early brochures.

Scroll to the bottom:
https://www.hatterasowners.com/Brochures/53MY/53MYB-0069.pdf

That there looks like a proper, dignified motor yacht.

 

[TROUBLE]

My 43' had a fly bridge from a 53 added after production. Much bigger than the standard bridge.

Art

 

[brettportzer]

Yea, everyone kind of has a knee jerk reaction that I am giving up a bunch of space, but especially on the first iteration of the 43, there were just two seats up there.

 

[bigbill]

there is a 50my (i think) in the pass christian harbor that is a non flybridge model. still have not made time to go look at her yet

 

[oscarvan]

Yes, I believe Hargrave penned the 53 without the appendage up there and it looks a LOT better. But it's awfully tempting to gain all that usable space with relatively little materials. I thought I had an original price list/bill of sale somewhere but IIRC the add on for the flybridge was around $8,000 back in the 70's.

I have toyed with the idea of removing mine but I don't think the Admiral will let me.

 

[eze2bme]

In 1979 the flybridge for the 43DC was $8925 which included the stand alone helm seat.

 

[Retired1]

Hey, sorry to bump an old thread, but I figured I'd share this.

I was just poking around, expanding my search to different models/layouts and happened to notice that Hatteras has a picture of a FB-less 53MY in one of their early brochures.

Scroll to the bottom:
https://www.hatterasowners.com/Brochures/53MY/53MYB-0069.pdf

That there looks like a proper, dignified motor yacht.

pretty cool, thanks for sharing.

 

[Fanfare]

1966, 50MY, flybridge was $3,500. Included remotes for the AM radiotelephone (150 watts, 8 channels!) and rotary Ross depthsounder, Bimini top.

I always run from up top. Better visibility on all sides, easier to gauge wind and current. Plus, if you run in skinny but clear water such as in the Bahamas, navigation by eye is dramatically improved.