Ergonomics is the scientific discipline concerned with the interactions of
humans with the designs in which they operate. Unfortunately, many naval
architects and boat designers either skipped this course or flunked it. We all
know that every boat is a compromise, and nowhere is this more true than when it
comes to the ergonomics of a boat. As a new boat buyer you must be aware of a
lot of things, and high on that list is the ergonomics of the boat.
 |
Michelangelo had it figured
out 500 years ago. |
Obviously boaters come in all different sizes, shapes and weights. Nevertheless,
automobiles, furniture makers, bus and train builders and even commercial
airplane designers know the parameters of what their equipment will be required
to handle. Most do a fairly good job of it, including even airplanes up to about
220 lbs. and 6’1” passangers. However, boats are a different story, and perhaps always
have been.
We were reminded at the recent Ft. Lauderdale Boat Show once again that when it
comes to ergonomics, you can’t take anything for granted – even on a large
yacht!
Here are some examples of challenged ergonomics, courtesy of Capt. Steve, author
of the boating course that runs each week in the newsletter…
Capt Steve says…
Ladders to Flying Bridge…
"The first hint of ergonomic trouble came when I went aboard a fairly large
convertible. I started up the ladder to the flybridge and bashed my head on the
overhead where the ladder goes through. Obviously, I’m too fat at 170 lbs., so
that's my
fault. Had I been thinner, I’d have been closer to the ladder and thus would
have fit through that tiny hole in the overhead where the ladder goes through.
Maybe someday they’ll make a boat just for me and remove the back half of that
overhanging bridge deck so I can slide right through, but for now… it’s 'step
away from the donuts'.“
CC Head Access…
"Then there were the center console fishing boats. You know the ones with
the door on the side of the console giving access to the head? To my credit,
after working and wiggling, I was in. However, once inside, there was to be no
room for 'remaining seated for the duration of the performance'. Note to self -- no solid foods the day before a fishing trip on that boat."
Table Stanchions…
"Let’s not forget the pedestals for tables in front of some settees and the
tables themselves. I know the builders weren’t just trying to make the space
look bigger when they mounted the tables so close to the seats, but I clearly
was too large (read: FAT) to fit behind them without sitting on the outside edge
of the seat and doing the 'butt scootch' over to get behind the table. Then
there is the problem of getting my feet past the pedestal once my bottom was in
position. Some of the biggest and most respected names in boat building have
done this for years and continue to this day – do they think no one notices? The
settees look great in the pictures, but who can sit there?"
The Helm…
"But the most compelling argument that I didn’t fit in with the boating crowd
-- the helms. I just couldn’t squeeze behind so many of them, and worse -- the
windshield frames were consistently in my line of sight. So not only am I too
fat, I’m also too tall (at 5’8”) to be a boater. And don’t even start me on the
head room in some of the cabins. Poorly functioning helm seats are the #1
complaint from owners of sportboats among BoatTEST.com readers."
Fit or Finished...
Before you buy your dream boat, make sure you can fit into it. Builders are
trying to give customers everything they want. The trouble is boats by their
very nature are small and often the builder makes too many compromises to fit
everything in he thinks you want. Even big boats are small compared to the room
one is used to in a house, for example.
When considering a boat, if something doesn't fit your personal ergonomics, ask
the dealer if it can be changed. If he says no, move on to the next boat. Sooner
or later you will find a boat that fits you, or you will find a dealer who is
willing to make the modifications necessary to make you happy.
Above are just a few examples of the ergonomic-challenged aspects of some boats Capt.
Steve happened across. You may have your own list of annoying ergonomic design
flaws. We’d enjoy hearing from you, and since many of the industry’s designers
read this newsletter, you’ll be passing your observations along to them as well,
and helping us all out in the process.
