35ft Catamaran, galley up or down

[Seafari]

Hey Guys and Gals,

I've been looking at a 35ft Lightwave catamaran (Aussie built) which ticks many boxes but it's the galley down version with galley in stb hull. I've always envisaged my first cat to be a galley up layout but this particular boat is the galley down.

Any comments would be appreciated.

thanks

[weavis]

Originally Posted by Seafari

Hey Guys and Gals,

I've been looking at a 35ft Lightwave catamaran (Aussie built) which ticks many boxes but it's the galley down version with galley in stb hull. I've always envisaged my first cat to be a galley up layout but this particular boat is the galley down.

Any comments would be appreciated.

thanks

It is a preference. I was staunch galley up until I realised there are advantages to not having it in the main room when trying to concentrate on something else with clattering going across the way.......

If the boat ticks the boxes and that is the only obstacle...... ask self if its REALLY important.

[Dulcesuenos]

Below a certain size and beam Galley down offers larger galley and larger salon. You cram galley up into too small a. boat and the salon and galley are both smaller while the stateroom where you spend less time awake may be larger.

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[Boatguy30]

Depends on the crew also. For just a couple and island hopping I think the galley up could be better. For more saloon space with a family or more cooking offshore I think galley down works better. You can generally have a better insulated fridge on the bridgedeck.

[Tom and Maje]

I just looked at some photos of the boat, and I think you'd be better off with the galley down. It will give you a lot more room in your salon.


Maje

[FSMike]

Our 36' Solaris Sunstar w/ 17' 6" beam is galley down (port side) and we prefer it that way. Gives more space in the main saloon. The port vee berth is mostly a very well insulated refrigerator. We have two queen sized berths in the aft cabins, starboard forward is head w/ shower, works great for a couple with occasional guests.
Plus nobody can see you drop that piece of fish on the floor lol.

[Bulawayo]

On a smaller cat the galley down is a good choice to have sufficient work area. As one post says, check out the refrigeration installation as the hull shape can preclude the necessary insulation. You'll still be using the saloon seat bases etc for long term food stuffs. We ocean cruised a 35ft cat for several years, galley down and it worked fine for us with line of sight from the galley into the saloon.

[cat ballou]

I've had my 35' wildcat with the galley up version for almost a year and find it very convenient. Cooking, entertaining or just going to the fridge for a drink is all right there where all the action is. Of course, like others said, it depends on the beam size and how cramped the saloon would be with the galley up.
It is a decision you will have to live with for a long time so think carefully.
If your original vision was to have a boat with a galley up, like I had, than keep looking and make your compromises on less important stuff...
Good luck.

Ron

[Dulcesuenos]

On the other hand our ami 320 was galley up and very convenient after ankle surgery. I could reach the fridge without getting off the couch

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[Capt B]

I have sailed on a lot of Cat's I also own one a F P Balize 43 it has its galley up
it is more comfortable under way. and for entertaining at anchor it is much more fun for the cook
to be part of the crew. remember this is an area that is also prone to sea sickness.

[wannacat]

We held out for a galley up and found our dream- a Fountaine Pajot -Antigua 37 with 19'-6" beam, 3'-4" draft. Wouldn't have been happy other wise!!! The cook is still in the picture all the time and enjoying the guests and scenery at the same time instead of being stuck down in the hole. Also easy for me to give her a hand if need be. Still tons of salon area and a real decent fridge/freezer size and prep area. It's ideal for our hopin around the Bahamas in!
Maybe the only draw back is it's easier for guests to try and muscle into the galley area to try and "help"? They probably wouldn't venture below as much?

[belizesailor]

For cruising/recreational use I think a galley up is the strongest preference. For charter use a galley down is adventageous because it get used more like a commercial kitchen and is away from guests.

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by cat ballou

I've had my 35' wildcat with the galley up version for almost a year and find it very convenient. Cooking, entertaining or just going to the fridge for a drink is all right there where all the action is. ...

Ron

Hey, I've got a 35' Wildcat galley up too!

GF loves it because she is very social and loves to cook.

Another advantage on many boats (like the WC and many FP's) is that the galley up placement is very near the metacenter of the boat, so the whole boat basically rotates around it in rough conditions. I've placed a sauce pan about half full of water on the cooktop as a test in 6-8' confused seas...it never slid and never spilt a drop even with no pot holders. This was a test prior to sauteing some nice Spanish Mack we just caught.

Galley down, especially on a beamy boat like the WC, creates quite a lever moment. I suspect the "sauce pan test" would not be nearly as successful, though I've never actually tried it.

[weavis]

I really love this galley.......

Nothing to stop a person having a fridge in the cockpit or Saloon as well.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RScSHEp0Y8

[downunder]

The Australian built Lightwave 35 is the smallest and first they built that was subsequently stretched to 38 designed by Tony Grainger.

In that size the galley down works quite well as does the Seawind 1000xl.

You would probably have to go to a longer French design to get galley up.

Whilst I personally prefer galley up generally you need a larger vessel than 35 ft.

The Lightwave is a well built vessel and it depends if you can live with the layout which is likely to be a larger and better arrangement than in a galley up of that size.

Really comes back to personal preference and if you can live with it.

cheers