Headroom on Liveaboards

[BlueWaterMD]

Recently, I have been looking at smaller boats for a liveaboard, as it seems more practical for me. I could handle a 34' much easier alone than a 44'. The problem is that I am 6'3" and have found quite a few boats that interest me with heasroom in the 6'3" - 6'4" range. How much of a problem would this be? Do any of you live in such a situation?

[chuckr]

i am 6'1" and sail a Jeanneau DS40 single handed and the head room is great - have had folks in excess of 6'5' in her -
good luck but look at deck saloon boats
chuck and soulmates

[Sandero]

I believe my 36' has headroom for your height. I will measure this weekend and report back. I am 5 11 and there seems to be plenty of height and visiting sailors have commented on the headroom. Don't yachts market their headroom in the sales materials?

Jef
sv Shiva
Contest 36s

[Sonny]

I have a Pearson 36, 1973 and it has headroom for at least 6'1" in it.

Sonny

[Quijote]

I have lived aboard for 15 years and am 6'-5". I have never had full standing headroom throughout on the 8 boats I've had. Our current boat has headroom in a few places, but truth is, I bend my head over a little bit and never even notice it. Of course, on boats one sits, not paces back and forth. Some folks seem to think headroom is important and if you are one of them, well you will find your boat. I always looked at other features about a boat and took the headroom that I got. Not having full headroom in the galley never got me out of doing the dishes! To each his own.
Richard
S/V Saeta
Sceptre 41

[Pblais]

6-2 seems to be accomodated on a lot of boats. 6-5 takes a big boat to find that much head room. I have to think 6-3 is the hardest as it's close enough to fool you and short enough to really knock the top of your head off.

Head room may be a problem but don't settle for a short berth. You can learn to duck but sleeping is best done fully extended.

[S/V Elusive]

Since I'm 6' 6", I spent a lot of time looking for a boat that I wouldn't have to stoop all the time. As a LIVE ABOARD, you do spend a lot of time walking back and forth. This was a prime consideration when I was looking for boats that I would consider. I speak more about that on my web site - the 'In the Beginning' section.

[seafox]

I am 6ft 4inch and it cost me another $60k to get a boat that I could stand up in. We went to Auckland to look at a Lotus 9.5 but I couldn't stand up in it. $60k later and I was happy with the 10.6.
If you have a bad back being able to stand and stretch is good.

[Alan Wheeler]

6'4" ? dang, I better open the hatch when you come aboard then. ;-)

[Canibul]

Well I'm a long, tall, Texan. I wear a ten gallon hat.

[Gallivanters]

my Sailing Mentor said "Kirk, It's hard to get a pretty girl to lay down in a boat that she cannot stand up in".

I'm certainly no expert, but...

I believe the owner must fit the vessel, especially when it comes to selecting a boat for a liveaboard or extended cruising.

Whenever I show a cruising boat to a potential buyer - I suggest they stretch out in the bunk... then get up and go sit down on the toilet.

Furthermore - I believe cockpit seats should be long enough to stretch out on, as well.

Everything is a compromise, but a comfortable boat is needed for comfortable cruising.

Racing is another matter, entirely.

Happy hunting,

Kirk

[markpj23]

I'm 'only' 6ft 3in but headroom was an issue for me as well. Yes I can duck my head w/o much thought but do I really want to do that on a liveaboard?

Much will depend upon your price range. I found certain boats had good headroom for their size but many cruising boats did not. Some examples with headroom: Island Packet 35, Endeavour 35, 37 & 40 - and of course the 42 & 43 if you want to go that large. A older (1977) Tartan 37 had enough headroom as did the Bristol 41 & 44 center cockpit models. Tayanas generally were tall enough also.

I think you need to set a budget, then look at boats in your price range to help narrow the field.

Remember that the best part may be the boat search - it costs less for maintenance during that phase...

[John Drake]

The Wauquiez Pretorian 35 and Wauquiez Hood 38 both have 6'4" headroom throughout the entire boat. Vee berths on both boats are very large and spacious.

I have been cruising and living aboard my Hood 38 for some time now and find her more comfortable everyday.

Best

John
s/v Invictus
lying fl keys

[chuckr]

I measured my Jeannueau DS40 -- she is 80" - those math challenged that is 6' 8" -
for those less there is lots of upper head room

chuck and s/v soulmates

[S/V Elusive]

Mark - "...Endeavour 35, 37 & 40 - and of course the 42 & 43 if you want to go that large." This from the owner of an Endeavour 52??

Chuck - I never realized that Jeanneaus had that much headroom. While I've seen them at boat shows, I never went aboard one as I, mistakenly, thought they were another Benetau <sp?> type without much headroom. Not that I could afford one of those, but I would have at least looked. OTOH, I am a fan of the split rig and the different configurations that I can use depending on conditions.

Everything is a compromise.