Yep - know all that.

Helming sometimes helps but it's not the best place for the skipper to be except when close-quarters manoeuvring. My mind is always busy with collision avoidance, tactics to windward, eta, pilotage etc.

My favourite position is in the companionway so I can be in touch with what's going on in the cockpit, hear the VHF and keep an eye on the chart - this is indeed close to the CB. Sometimes I have to go below to plot the position but I usually get someone else to do that, and get the weather report/forecast when necessary. I also like to perch on the taffrail so I can see the whole boat and coach the helmsman when necessary, but that is quite a bouncy place.

S