Removing the fly bridge on dual helm trawler

B

Billylll

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I'm curious if anyone here has removed the upper helm and fiberglass on a trawler with dual helms? I would like to turn my Gulfstar 36 trawler into a sedan trawler. I really need the real estate for solar, wind, antennas and domes. I don't think there would be any objectionable views that would be blocked. If you did this what was involved? I'm thinking the most difficult part would be making sure all screws that are removed must be weather proofed. I don't think removing the cables for the throttles/ shifters would be a big deal. Removing the upper helm instruments and the wiring harness shouldn't be difficult for me either. I do need to check on the steering mechanism. The upper helm would get little to no use for the style of boating I am looking to do with this ICW trawler.
What say you? Pro's and Con's?
Re-sale value isn't something I care about. The boat will be outfitted to suit my wife and my needs. The boat is not in my possession yet. I plan on operating from both positions before I start the surgery involved to make sure it will not effect the operation of the boat.
I have seen this done on the Grand Banks 32 models and it's a sweat looking practical vessel.
Thanks,
Bill
 
Bill
Have not done it myself but don't see any practical reason why not. Seems that removing weight that lowers the center of gravity will not have any adverse effect on handling so long as your sight lines are good from below.
Just my. 02
Mark
 
Just curious, is the set up you are looking for to accommodate a hobby or is there a business reason for it?
Jim
 
No business reason boating is strictly a hobby for me. I'm not sure I understand your question but it's to be able to have a robust solar panel system. I would like to have in excess of 1000 watts available, to include 1 or 2 hot water solar panels, a safe place for the wind turbine generator and to place antennas and domes properly. I think it might also reduce the roll and improve stability.
Bill
 
Well I will know better tomorrow after I spend the day with my diesel mechanic.
If all goes well then it's sea trial later this week and we close on the 7th next Saturday. It's an older 36 Gulstar 36 true displacement trawler.
Bill
 
Give a call to Walter's favorite company, Atlantic Towers!
 
quote:
Originally posted by CurrentSea

Give a call to Walter's favorite company, Atlantic Towers!

Click to expand...

Dave, why would I call Atlantic? I'm using Edson mounts and masts. I have no need for a radar arch.
Bill
 
Oh, I misread, thought you wanted to add a hardtop to put all your stuff on.
 
quote:
Originally posted by CurrentSea

Oh, I misread, thought you wanted to add a hardtop to put all your stuff on.

Click to expand...
Nope not wasting my hard earned money for another hardtop that limits my ability to travel on the Erie or other waterways.
Bill
 
Personally I would not remove the upper helm. But that is just me and I like running boats from up top out in the open so to speak.

I would not think it would be to hard to remove yours. But like you mentioned the real work would be in sealing everything up, making it look cleanly done and making chases for all your new wiring.
 
Billy, I can recommend a good, reasonably priced yard in Baltimore that I would encourage you to at least discuss this with. They have done a lot of major modifications to boats. They did a bunch of work for me and the PO of my boat. The owner is a real pragmatist and gave me some very valuable advice over the years. PM me if you are interested and I will PM the contact iso.
 
IMO you need good aft visibility and an easy way to see if someone is about to overtake you and wake you. Consider a good camera facing aft. With the display right in front of you it might be a great addition.
 
Bruce I already have a good Raymarine camera I will be mounting on the rear of the trawler looking aft.

George PM sent.
Bill
 
I have stripped flybridges to transport the houseboats that I own - they are relatively easy to R and R. You have listed the things that you will have to remove and disengage from the systems they are a part of. From the various posts, it sounds like this is your "final" boat - modify it to suit you and enjoy it. If you want to hedge your bets on it being your "final" boat, then frame around the removed flybridge so that it will hold its shape and store it somewhere so that you can reinstall it in the future.
 
I think a lower helm is really cool. Never drove a boat with a lower helm, but it must be nice. Being on a bridge boat just gives you a lot of visibility. The major gripe I have had with lower helm is the real estate it uses in the salon.
 
quote:
Originally posted by walterv

I think a lower helm is really cool. Never drove a boat with a lower helm, but it must be nice. Being on a bridge boat just gives you a lot of visibility. The major gripe I have had with lower helm is the real estate it uses in the salon.

Click to expand...
This boats lower helm doesn't take up much space at all Walter. I'm still unsure if I want to tackle it's removal at this point in time. I want to have this boat upgraded and in service before the 4th of July. This includes moving it from the Chesapeake to Ocean County, Little Egg NJ.
Bill
 
Well I have a very interested party from another forum who wants to install an upper help and deck on his trawler. He is going to pay for most of the costs if not all the costs to remove the upper helm. He already got a quote to ship it to California from Maryland. I contacted the marina they are providing us both with a quote. He is genuine he wants an upper helm as much as I don't want an upper helm.
This could be a win win for both of us. Yes this might very well be my last boat and I am treating it as such.
I really need the real estate the removal would provide me and the boat would look awesome without the upper helm in my opinion.
I'll let everyone know what gets decided in the next week or so.
He benefits because he gets the instruments, steering assembly, wiring and the throttle and shift cables as well as a new Bimini, bridge cover and cushions.
I get the benefits I want real estate for antennas, FLIR, Spotlight, KVH domes an AIR-X wind turbine system, Radar, and solar both electricity and water heating.
I'll also should get a boat with to some degree less roll and wind resistance.
Bill
 
One added benefit I can have the boat trailored via commercial hauler should I decide I want to do that in the future.
Bill
 
Sounds like an excellent option that will work to everyone's benefit. I hope it works out for you.
 
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