Port Side Galley Favored ?

[sailstoo]

The October 2010 "Practical Sailor" has a boat review in which the following statement is made; "While some argue that the traditional portside galley is more desirable when cruising oceans, the point is moot for a family coastal cruiser." Why would someone argue that? Why is a portside galley better than a starboard side galley when cruising oceans?

[daddle]

Someone figure out that more time was spent with weather to starboard? Galley is a little easier to use on the down side. Transpac boats might be designed with a port galley and heavy storage and berths to starboard, for example.

[zopi]

Depends on which hemisphere you are in...

[sailstoo]

Originally Posted by zopi

Depends on which hemisphere you are in...

Gee, thanks. Wish I had thought of that.

[Bash]

that's especially strange when you consider the fact that 83% of the time I'm involved in a crossing situation with another sailboat, I'm the one on port tack.

[markpierce]

Due to the Coriolis Effect, sailboats are more efficient when drains are on the port side in the northern hemisphere because the water spins counter-clockwise. If sailing mostly in the southern hemisphere, it's best to have drains on the starboard side because the water spins clockwise.

[sailstoo]

Originally Posted by markpierce

Due to the Coriolis Effect, sailboats are more efficient when drains are on the port side in the northern hemisphere because the water spins counter-clockwise. If sailing mostly in the southern hemisphere, it's best to have drains on the starboard side because the water spins clockwise.

What bothers me the most is I'm not sure if you're serious or not.

[NotQuiteLost]

Originally Posted by sailstoo

What bothers me the most is I'm not sure if you're serious or not.

I took the whistling and popcorn-munching emoticons to mean 100% kidding. But it is one of those silly things that doesn't seem to go away.

[Factor]

On a cat in my part of the world there is a theory that galleys are best on the port side because when you are anchored to the predominant South East the afternoon sun is on the starboard side, having said that you couild argue that the port side sould have the owners cabin area because you want that area cooler.

[Paul Elliott]

I have heard that a port side galley is favored, because you can then heave-to for comfort on starboard tack while preparing meals (and so have right of way in many cases).

[Johnathon123]

I prefer my galley on




Whatever side the builder put it

[swagman]

Some well thought out suggestions, but I was once told the reason by an old sailor / boatbuilder. He used the same logic for most reefing line set up also.

His logic was that if you have to be flapping around and not totally in command, whether it be taking in a reef or cooking up a cup of tea down below, it is best that your boat has right of way over other boats that may approach you whilst that is going on.

That's all.

JOHN

[markpierce]

As cabin entries are often off-center, I'd prefer the galley on the same side as the entry so as to permit better venting of galley smoke/steam/smells. This also allows better line-of-sight communication between cook and helmsman.

[markpierce]

Originally Posted by Paul Elliott

I have heard that a port side galley is favored, because you can then heave-to for comfort on starboard tack while preparing meals (and so have right of way in many cases).

One could hoist three round shapes during daylight hours signaling your boat has limited maneuverability while you're busy in the galley. A hoave-to vessel definitely has limited maneuverability.

[daddle]

Maybe most important for cruisers is that it's an easy favorite-handed throw from the cutting board, out the port, and over the side. This boat has a super easy right-hand toss out the overhead. Don't even need to look up. The last boat was made for lefties as I couldn't toss was a backhanded leftie which often went awry.