Hello new and looking for help with a Downeaster 32

[lilbabypenguin]

Hello everyone, I apologize for my first post being asking for help, rather than contributing. As of now I don't have much to contribute since I am still looking for my first sailboat!
We found a wonderful Downeaster 32 cutter in our price range, it is very solid, well equipped, and just generally a great boat for the money. But... the layout has the head right next to the v-berth. It is one where you have to walk through it to then climb into the v-berth.
I don't want to be picky, but this just seems a little tricky, especially for those few times when you want to have friends come for a visit.
Our plan is to liveaboard and cruise, starting with the caribbean until we get experienced, and long term to cruise anywhere our hearts desire.
So, my question is does anyone have a Downeaster 32, or other boat with this configuration? And if so, have you done any sort of change to add privacy? (I am going to attempt to post a pic of it that I took)

As a side bar question, the bilge is not very easily seen very deep and wide, has this been a concern for any other Downeaster 32 owners?

Thanks a million in advance for any advice.

[Fiveslide]

It is a common layout on smaller boats. Our first 25'er had that layout. It also had sliding doors between head and berth, head and cabin. I can't tell if you have such doors at the entrance to the berth. If not, it should be a simple upgrade to the boat.

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[onestepcsy37]

Go to this users forum

www.downeasteryachts.com

For more information

[lilbabypenguin]

Hi Fiveslide, yes it has a plastic, sliding door right at the opening of the v berth already, just trying to think about what we could do to give it more privacy, if anything.

onestepcsy Thank you for the link I will check it out now.

[sardinebreath]

Certain privacy expectations are forced to evolve when co-existing on a small boat--and 32 feet is really small, especially when it comes to hosting guests. After a few days, there aren't gonna be many secrets regarding bowel habits, sex life, etc. Choose your guests accordingly.

[tbodine88]

Originally Posted by sardinebreath

Certain privacy expectations are forced to evolve when co-existing on a small boat--and 32 feet is really small, especially when it comes to hosting guests. After a few days, there aren't gonna be many secrets regarding bowel habits, sex life, etc. Choose your guests accordingly.

I had guests on my 32 foot Ericson with a folding door for the head. We had no problems with privacy. I gave them the V berth. I slept in the Pilot berth. The V berth had a curtain for privacy.

[Celestialsailor]

I really pays to have an open-minded guest. During the day, using the head is not an problem as 95% of that time, you're not in the cabin. At night a porta-potti might be the ticket.

[a64pilot]

I don't know about others, but I consider a deep bilge a very valuable asset, not a liability

[Sailmonkey]

We passed on several small boats because of that "feature"


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[roverhi]

Looks like a creative use of space. Great for late night conversations with your SO our guests while you/they take care of business. It should solve the problem with overnight guests overstaying their welcome. The setup reminds of the guy who said he knew he was really married when his wife sat down on the john and took a dump while talking to him as he shaved.

If you needed more privacy and I definitely would, extend the head/V berth bulkhead to the middle of those two lockers in the foot of the V berth and add a return panel so you aren't looking directly into the head area from the berth. You could then close off the head area with curtain or something more elaborate.

Oh, and get a Raritan PH II head. You'll be much happier with it.

[OnTour]

That isn't the normal layout for a DE 32....must have been changed by one of the previous owners.


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[jangann]

I wouldn't choose a boat based on guest accommodations. The time they are on it will be tiny compared to the rest of the time.


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[lilbabypenguin]

Thank you all for your input. I agree, guests won't be on as often as we think. OnTour, you are correct, this is not the normal layout, but it is the one we will be having, so we will just get creative. Roverhi we may be incorporating some of your ideas, thank you.

[Lake-Effect]

Be thankful the head isn't smack dab in the middle of the v-berth which is the norm for many boats under 25'.

[lilbabypenguin]

hehe LakeEffect, yeah that would be a little awkward. My parents have a Hunter and used to have a Catalina, which both have their heads aft, which is kinda nice. But we are thrilled regardless, just need a door of some sort!