Helm Seat Recommendations

[Fair Well]

I need to replace the two helm chairs on the bridge. After 30 years the old ones have had it. I was going to rebuild them but sometimes it’s time to bite the bullet and replace. The cores are gone, the plastic/fiberglass is cracked, aluminum post and slides are shot. What do y’all recommend? I want foot rest and a good quality chair but don’t want to buy the the factory! The prices are crazy on some. Don’t mind paying for quality but there is limit. I helped out on a boat that had very nice helm seats and the owner paid what he said was a premium price for them. I looked at the under side and a lot of the hardware was rusting bad. The chairs were on a really nice 100’ plus custom yacht. Owner said that he had them made in a custom shop in Miami about two years ago. Don’t want to end up with something like this.

 

[jim rosenthal]

Pompanette; their ordering service is awful, at least it used to be, but their products are really well made. Dealing with them is a pain, though.

 

[rustybucket]

Seems like there are always really nice helm chairs available on the used market. I'd keep my eye on ebay, craigslist, facebook and magazine publication classifieds (in the bite). Your money will go WAY further on the used market than the new.

 

[SeaEric]

I have a pair of Pompanette "Anglers Specialties" series helmseats. I had them custom made. http://pompanettellc.com/current-catalog/helm-chairs/pompanette-seating/as-series-helmseats/ If these appeal to you, they are made in California and I dealt with the guy there Scott Sneathen. Excellent hands on service from Scott. AVOID AVOID AVOID the Pompanette retail store in Fort Lauderdale at all cost!

 

[Jammin']

I have a pair of Pompanette "Anglers Specialties" series helmseats. I had them custom made.

I love those seats. Why did you choose to delete the arm rests?

 

[jim rosenthal]

I have one of them on my Hatteras as well. I believe there wasn't enough lateral room on Eric's boat, but can't swear to it. I bught mine after I saw his. I did keep the armrests, but then again mine is on the bridge and there is only one seat.

Eric is also correct about the FtL store. Scott was great to work with- directly.

 

[Fanfare]

I got a good deal on a Stidd seat at the Ft. Lauderdale boat show years ago. It was a demo, but how much use could it have gotten in four days? It was just what I would have ordered and could be carried right to the boat. It adjusts in every direction and height, has a folding footrest which makes the Admiral happy, and is very comfortable for those long ocean passages.

My original Pompanette flybridge seat had plywood which delaminated. While I kept the hardware for the rebuild I wish I had sprung for the Stidd much earlier.

 

[SeaEric]

I love those seats. Why did you choose to delete the arm rests?

What Jim said. Not enough room for the arms.

 

[Photolomy]

Can you buy just the seat? I have the same seats (with arms) but the wood in the seat bottom is rotting. I replaced them with cheaper seats for now because I couldn't get a lead on where to buy them, and I think I can redo the originals at some point. They are obviously well made to have lasted 40 years.

 

[Walter P]

Another alternative would be to simply rebuild your original chairs. The metal (probably aluminum) can
be powder coated for not a lot of money and the actual seat and backrest incl arms can be re done at
most custom upholstery shops. Of course if you're very handy you can do them yourself and save
yourself some boat bucks..

Walt

 

[rourkeh]

Here are a couple of companies that do not charge $15,000 per seat like stidd
helm_chairs
http://www.springfieldgrp.com/products/chairs

 

[Reefgeorge]

In 2002 when I had my Cabo 47 built, Release Marine made the best chairs and their customer service was excellent. I installed
Two helm chairs and a Cockpit fighting chair.

George

 

[DCMY #92]

I bought Stidds at the Miami boat show price a few years ago. Great seats.

 

[Hat52MY]

Ditto on the Stidd. Great chair and never feel tired after many hours at the helm - extremely comfortable!

 

[Canyonkeeper77]

Here are a couple of companies that do not charge $15,000 per seat like stidd
helm_chairs
http://www.springfieldgrp.com/products/chairs

These are interesting and great prices. Has anyone bought from them?

 

[CptJenna]

I had custom made chairs by Llebroc on a non Hatteras delivered very reasonably in 4 weeks with higher end vinyl than the basic. Great work and well worth the money, and a lot less than Stidd or Pompanette. Service was also really good. I’m a newbie so I can’t post a link but you can easily google Llebroc helm chairs FWFS,Jenna