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28-10-2024, 19:05
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#1
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 341
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Captains Chairs in Cabin? But why?
Hi all,
I'm looking at a Morgan Out Island 41 Classic (Catalina version), and one side of the cabin is devoted to a pair of captains chairs.
I can't for the life of me think why this is a better design idea than just a bench, which could be a bunk, and have storage.
Why do this? Any thoughts?
__________________
Sailing With Kids Blog
Three mini-pirates scour the Caribbean Seas with stops for ice cream and legos
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28-10-2024, 20:43
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#2
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registered user
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: back in West Australia
Boat: plastic production boat, suitable for deep blue water ;)
Posts: 1,194
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Re: Captains Chairs in Cabin? But why?
Such single seat/chairs are generally more comfy than a bench seat, and looks good in glossy brochures.
But.... those chairs can not convert into a comfortable midships berth.
Second drawback is such seat may limit storage options underneath.
I sailed both these kind of boats, I would say if the boat is big enough (and has enough other good berths), I would prefer those single seats, particularly at anchor, less so underway.
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29-10-2024, 04:02
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#3
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2017
Location: NE Florida
Boat: 1980 Endeavour 32
Posts: 1,036
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Re: Captains Chairs in Cabin? But why?
A bench seat is a good compromise for sitting and sleeping, but when it comes to comfort there is no substitute for a decent chair.
Depending on what your plans and/or crew size is, these may work for you or not. If you're a couple looking to cruise the Bahamas in comfort you can't beat this layout.
I would love to be able to afford this much boat. I probably would have a much better chance of getting my wife to come along.
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29-10-2024, 05:33
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#4
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Marine Service Provider
Join Date: Jan 2019
Boat: Beneteau 432, C&C Landfall 42, Roberts Offshore 38
Posts: 7,168
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Re: Captains Chairs in Cabin? But why?
not only that...but they are white....if there is any one color I would not have inside a boat...it would be white as the slightest bit of dirt will show up like neon light.
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29-10-2024, 05:59
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#5
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Southern Maine
Boat: Prairie 36 Coastal Cruiser
Posts: 3,377
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Re: Captains Chairs in Cabin? But why?
Looks comfy. I like it. Plenty of other seating and berthing. You do lose a bit of stowage, but after a long day the comfort is worth that price. I like the little table between them, too.
I have to agree that white was the wrong choice for the material.
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29-10-2024, 06:38
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#6
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running down a dream
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Florida
Boat: cape dory 30 MKII
Posts: 3,237
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Re: Captains Chairs in Cabin? But why?
a chair is kinda like a recliner in a boat .. and then they need an ottoman
__________________
some of the best times of my life were spent on a boat. it just took a long time to realize it.
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29-10-2024, 07:14
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#7
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Noank, Ct. USA
Boat: Cape Dory 31
Posts: 3,282
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Re: Captains Chairs in Cabin? But why?
The larger your boat is the fewer compromises have to be made. A dedicated function is no longer a privilege but a result of your design preferences. On a small yacht many things, of necessity, serve dual purposes.
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29-10-2024, 07:21
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#8
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 341
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Re: Captains Chairs in Cabin? But why?
Thanks for the answers. Its a Morgan OI, which was definitely designed with island hopping and anchoring in mind, so having comfy chairs rather than pilot bunks makes sense!
__________________
Sailing With Kids Blog
Three mini-pirates scour the Caribbean Seas with stops for ice cream and legos
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29-10-2024, 07:23
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#9
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Toronto area when not travelling
Boat: Nonsuch 30
Posts: 1,732
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Re: Captains Chairs in Cabin? But why?
We had a Bristol 45.5. When built, there were a lot of custom interior options available including captain's chairs and cocktail table. Ours had a bench seat which we quite preferred.
__________________
Have taken on the restoration of the first Nonsuch, which was launched in 1978. Needs some deck work, hull compounding, and a bit of new gear.
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29-10-2024, 07:38
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#10
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: between the devil and the deep blue sea
Boat: a sailing boat
Posts: 21,199
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Re: Captains Chairs in Cabin? But why?
imho this is about selling boats to people who are not seamen
since most of the time the builders offered alternatives, I do not see any issue with this
that something is a boat does not imply it must be used exclusively offshore, by licensed, weathered skippers, in force 12
must be nice to sit in such an armchair and sip cognac or rhum while talking boats and adventures
hence "an armchair sailor" a common English phrase
b.
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29-10-2024, 08:10
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#11
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Moderator

Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Denmark (Winter), Cruising North Sea and Baltic (Summer)
Boat: Cutter-Rigged Moody 54
Posts: 35,303
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Re: Captains Chairs in Cabin? But why?
Quote:
Originally Posted by gonesail
a chair is kinda like a recliner in a boat .. and then they need an ottoman 
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The boat I crossed the Atlantic in last year had nice chairs like this, and ottomans.
We have several days of the most violent rolling I've ever experienced, which came from bad weather somewhere to the North of us, producing a large cross sea.
The only place in the entire boat (and this is a 67 footer) which was comfortable in those conditions was -- those chairs.
I'm definitely a fan now
__________________
"You sea! I resign myself to you also . . . . I guess what you mean,
I behold from the beach your crooked inviting fingers,
I believe you refuse to go back without feeling of me;
We must have a turn together . . . . I undress . . . . hurry me out of sight of the land,
Cushion me soft . . . . rock me in billowy drowse,
Dash me with amorous wet . . . . I can repay you."
Walt Whitman
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29-10-2024, 09:55
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#12
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Southern Maine
Boat: Prairie 36 Coastal Cruiser
Posts: 3,377
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Re: Captains Chairs in Cabin? But why?
My boat came with a very functional L-shaped seat. Lots of stowage below. Could be used as a single bunk, or even two if the other person wasn't too tall. 3-4 people could eat at the table, sitting on that seat.
But... it was an incredibly uncomfortable place to sit. I had an "expert" upholsterer make new cushions for it, at great expense. They looked great! But still uncomfortable.
I ended up ripping it all out and putting in a "jackknife sofa" made for an RV. I did lose the short leg of the "L" but I was able to build in a large stowage drawer under the whole thing, and additional space in the arms I built for it. Still not as nice as an easy chair, but much, much better than the original.
I don't think there's any rule which requires seafarers to be uncomfortable all the time.
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29-10-2024, 10:03
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#13
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Skagit City, WA
Posts: 25,769
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Re: Captains Chairs in Cabin? But why?
Quote:
Originally Posted by vtsailguy
Hi all,
I'm looking at a Morgan Out Island 41 Classic (Catalina version), and one side of the cabin is devoted to a pair of captains chairs.
I can't for the life of me think why this is a better design idea than just a bench, which could be a bunk, and have storage.
Why do this? Any thoughts?
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Long settee seating is infamously uncomfortable. Too deep front to back often to support your back (because they double as berths)
Some are too high for your feet to reach the floor. etc.
If you are not into big groups of people aboard the captain chairs can be a plus.
__________________
"I spent most of my money on Booze, Broads and Boats. The rest I wasted" - Elmore Leonard
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29-10-2024, 11:44
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#14
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Moderator
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Rhode Island/Florida USA
Posts: 3,382
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Re: Captains Chairs in Cabin? But why?
Because most boats are actually just couples most of the time. And those chairs are way more comfortable. In a dirt home, nobody wants to sit at the kitchen table all night, every night.
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05-11-2024, 12:11
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#15
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Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Maryland, Right Now
Boat: Morgan 452
Posts: 153
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Re: Captains Chairs in Cabin? But why?
As someone who lived aboard a Morgan 452 for years (came from the Beatrice Foods era), the OI was used a lot in the Caribbean for chartering - in fact, Dan Spurr did a story about Charley Morgan in Good Old Boat magazine (about 2005, I think) where he talked about how the OI was preferred for the trade and over 1,000 boats were built, mostly to go into charter.
Having said all of that, if you look at those seats as something to sit in after a day of cruising between the Virgins, they actually look pretty good.
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