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Smaller boats are not well suited to Aft cockpits. I perfer the aesthetics of an aft cockpit though many of them are not comfy with small benches and a humped up helmen's seat.
Here is Shiva's cockpit (helm removed as I had just completed the rebuild) and you can see how it is large and provides lots lot seating and stretch out space. With the cushions you can really get comfy.
It's quite dry because (I suppose) we have a high freeboard and the visibility is no problem and of course the sail control lines are all convenient. I think this is a successful design.
I don't sit at the helm and so the raised seat is not necessary. I stand there and it's usually to come along side or depart a dock or pick up a mooring. Sailing up wind I sit on the coaming anyway when the A/P is not steering.
A large dry comfy cockpit is the main living space and one key to a good design.
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