Thinking of a bridge remodel

Carpediem44DB

Well-Known Member
Aug 18, 2015
3,230
Sanfransico Bay area
Boat Info
2000 Carver 506
2006 44 DB Sedan Bridge
Engines
Volvo TAMD 74 P
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I hate the bench seat helm currently (top pic) I am partial to the wet bar but I can relocate the ice make and fridge to lockers built in to the settees.
I love the idea of three captains chairs. As it is the forward facing bench helm seating is useless unless underway and then a Pita for the skipper to get to and from the center helm position with guests sitting on either side.
I don’t use and won’t miss the sink at all and can always use a portable table to use the bridge as an out door kitchen when the need arises. The biggest obstacle will be removing the one piece island helm unit. It will have to go out thru the sun roof, then down 15 plus feet to the dock. This will take some planning and some recruitment of a few strong backs. Am I crazy?
Carpe Diem
 
I think its's a great Idea. I seem to think that the boat builders have to build boats within the constraints of what the total cost of the boat will be. I look at my boat all the time and see a ton of better ways to do things. And then the more I think about, the changes I want to make would have added serious costs to the boat when new. So its not that what they built is wrong, its' just that the designers had a fixed budget to get the boat done under and they chose wisely where they spent their budgets. That is the one thing that I really appreciate about Sea Ray, to me they seem to get the important stuff right and spend their budget money on what really matters. That's just my opinion, I'm sure other might disagree but I look at Sea Rays as big no frill muscle cars of the late 60's and 70's. The money is in the drive train and hull but the comfort creatures leave something to be desired, and I'm okay with that. So looking at your situation, to me what you are about to do makes 100% sense to me. To others they may look at what you already have and say "why change it". If they have to ask, they will never understand the answer, so don't even try.
 
Thats the look I'm going for:D
The biggest challenge is deciding on how deep to go on helm chairs. Amazing on the cost range on them.
I went with the Stidds. Wouldn't have anything else for long trips. If I was to advise stay with low back chairs.
 
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The wife agreed that the three pedestal helm seats instead of the wet bar/bench seat was a good idea so I decided to get going before she reconsidered. She even agreed to replace the dish washer in the galley with the ice maker from the bridge.
Tomorrow I’ll start to cut the island up into manageable pieces as it will not even fit through the sun roof. I hate to destroy the island but I can’t see having a use for it so I’ll cut it up. I think I can do in a way that it could be repurposed . We will see.
Carpe Diem
 
CD,
Isn't that an important enough consideration to be ironed out before you started dismantling? Between that and the supply chain issues.... just asking
 
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Truth be told, I’m not too worried about what she wants because she will never decide if left to her. We have very similar tastes so whatever I end up doing she will be fine with it. As for supply chain issues, I can use a deck chair if I need to move the boat or even cruise somewhere in the waters we operate in.
I find that the best way to get anything done is dive in. If I pondered it much, I’d never do it.
A secondary benefit, I can repurpose the helm chair to the dink! Captain Comfy!
 
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I stand corrected :)
 
If you can get that island out and back together it would make a great garage clean up / fridge station
 
Two type of seats I would look at are Stidd, and Llebroc.

The low-back Stidd Admiral 500 seats are exceptionally comfortable. The backs are not really that low - they come up above my shoulder which seems like enough. If you are wanting a bench for one side Stidd does make some 2 position and extra wide 2 position seats. Be prepared for some sticker shock if you haven't price them out.

Llebroc has a wider range of seating types than Stidd. However, the one that's most comparable to a classic Stidd is their Tradewinds Series 2 helm chair. In general they are less expensive than Stidd. There are a lot of ways to configure it, including inflatable lumber support and 12v seat heaters. While perhaps not as comfortable as a Stidd, I have had these on my last 2 boats and they are very very comfortable for long trips.

My knock on the Llebroc is that the front edge is squared off and has a seam at the front edge of the seat pad. When sliding on/off this square / seam design causes some additional wear on the material. I would have preferred a Stidd, if for no other reason than the seat front is rounded with no seam. It is easier to slide on/off the seat without pulling on the material, so I think it's better for longevity. I learned this from my first Llebroc, and when I got my current boat with Llebrocs I tried to get the dealer to swap them with another boat that had Stidds. It didn't work out but it's not a big enough deal to chuck a perfectly good set of Llebrocs.
 
The way this boat gets used and the water we use it in does not require the higher end of the scale in helm seats. 90 percent of the use will be at the dock and lounging. I am thinking of going with free standing pedestal chairs that can be moved around but tied down in the rare occasion we find ourselves in rough seas. I can also take them to the dock and avoid owning another set of deck chairs. Lots to consider for sure.
The island was chopped into three pieces and hauled off the dock. I hated to chop up a $5000 plus bridge option but the likelihood of me finding a good use for it does not justify the PITA in keeping it around.
Next step, pattern for the new Corinthian carpet and decide on which way to go with the seating. So many choices!!
CD
 
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We decided and by we I mean my wife, on Taylor Made reclining high back chairs for the bridge. I ordered one at first to make sure we liked the quality and color. Wife is happy so I’ll order two more. They are very comfortable and the ability to recline was a must. The one that was sent has uneven arms so I’ll need to see how the seller wants to handle that. Ordering the Corinthian Aqua Mat in the morning.
CD
 
This is an awesome project to view from afar! Since I’m getting a hydraulic platform put on this year there will be no other mods to Shenanigans this year. I will just enjoy yours. Keep the posts coming!
 
Progress update on the bridge remodel:
Received the rest of the chairs and pedestals.
Repaired the hole in the floor where the utilities for the wet bar were.
Positioned the seats and temporarily bolted to the floor.
I am expecting the Aqua Mat flooring to arrive from Corinthian Marine this week so I can cut to fit and have bound locally. Then I will install the carpet and seal and bolt in the seats permanently.
I know a couple of you advised against the high back seats, but my first mate wanted the high backs. I am okay with them as I cannot back down while seated anyway. I was concerned about the size of the seats, but they all fit well with plenty of space to swivel 360 even is partially reclined.
Ill post final pics when the carpet is in.
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Those seats look awesome!
 

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