Why You Want A Boat With A Raised Helm
The helm is an area of any boat that you'll want to carefully assess when you shop. There are all sorts of things to consider, including the size of the helm, the features in this space, and more. One topic to keep in mind when you look at different boats for sale is whether the helm is raised or not. While many helms sit flat on the boat deck, others are on a platform. The height of the helm platform can vary between models, but you may find that a raised helm seems appealing to you. Here are some reasons that this feature is favorable.
See Over Passengers' Heads
If you're taking a group of passengers out onto the water in your boat, it's common for them to sit in different areas around the deck. This generally means that you'll have a few people sitting at the bow of the boat. If one of these people is tall or you're a little on the shorter side, you might have trouble seeing ahead of you to some degree. It's important for the person driving the boat to have a clear view of what's ahead. A raised helm will provide better sightlines past your front passengers.
See Over The Edge
When you're mooring your boat against a dock, it's important to be able to see over the edge so that you can assess how close the boat and dock are. When you're sitting lower in the boat, you won't have a very good angle to see over the edge. From the elevated position of a raised helm, however, it's easy to see over the edge of the boat without having to lean too far out of your seat. This makes the mooring process much easier.
Be Out Of Peoples' Way
When the helm of your boat sits directly on the deck, it can sometimes feel like there's too much activity around you. When your passengers walk back and forth past the helm, the lack of separation between the deck and the helm may occasionally cause people to brush past you. When you're controlling your boat, you don't want these distractions or any form of unintentional contact with your passengers that may affect your ability to do your job. A raised helm gets you out of peoples' way so that you can better concentrate on the task at hand. Learn more about boats with raised helms at your local boat dealer.
For more information, contact a company such as Lifestyle Marine.