Coastal cruising: Big cabin windows better for those who like a view?

[troppo]

If you have done coastal cruising, spending days anchored up, what's your experience been with the size of your cabin windows? For those of you who like to gaze around at the world when anchored, is it preferable to have a view out, say when seated at the table, or does it not matter?

I've been thinking about getting another boat and been recalling how I enjoyed with my previous one, being able to look out when at the table in the cabin. Especially during days and days of rain. However, it seems with most monohulls I've looked at, the windows are small and one stands up to peek out. I guess if the cockpit has decent covers (which my old boat didn't have) and was amenable for relaxing with a cup of tea then that view may compensate for a cabin with small and high windows and limited view. Maybe.

So, what's your experiences with your boat and gazing out? Do you think big cabin windows are the go? Or is a cockpit with some weather protection a good alternative if the cabin is like a cave?

[sv Grateful]

Sounds like you need a cat...

[Topspin]

Or a DS version

[troppo]

Originally Posted by sv Grateful

Sounds like you need a cat...

I wondered for a moment why my getting a pet would make any difference.

Then I realised, a catamaran! I would luv a cat. But at more than double the price of what I am looking at for a mono, it is economically out of reach.

[sailorboy1]

All my windows have curtains and covers on them for shading and heat control. When I what to look around while at anchor, I go outside.

[dcstrng]

Or a pilot house -- NautiCat (sp?) or the like... when I lived aboard, I don't ever recall wanting to look out, even with snow on the deck -- perhaps my hermit genes or something... But there used to be several "pilot house" monos on the market that had sizable windows...

[MartinR]

Originally Posted by sailorboy1

All my windows have curtains and covers on them for shading and heat control. When I what to look around while at anchor, I go outside.

Thus!

[Serene86]

One problem with big windows is that as the vessel bends and twists it puts pressure on the windows causing them to eventually leak. Experienced this firsthand in our 1977 Boatel Bluewater.

[Donald Bryden]

My boat has a doghouse with windows. I can see outside from the dinette table or from the galley. I like it. I think it is a safety factor also, as when on watch, I can go to the galley to get coffee or make a snack and still have a feel for what is going on around me. At anchor, it helps me keep tract of those anchored nearby. In a marina, however, there is nothing to look at as the view stops at the neighboring boat.

[BobHorn]

We thought big windows would be nice, so we bought a trawler. Bad idea in TX, had to put up heavy duty screens to block out the sun as well as the view. Cockpit enclosures are the way to go.

[JSLExplores]

Love my big windows but you need sunscreens. I have ones that you can still see out. I don’t put sunscreens on my front windows because where we cruise the predominant east trade winds only heat up the front for a few hours in the AM.

[Kokanee]

I love my 360 degree vision while in the pilothouse. When underway or at anchor in a beautiful bay it makes sailing so much more enjoyable. I can sit at the table or cook lunch at the galley and still keep watch.
I would never consider putting curtains up. I always want to enjoy the view.

[Chalifour]

Jeanneau SO DS 43, bar none for the last 9 years! Would never change.

[waterman46]

We spend 99% of our sitting time, eating, etc in the large mid cockpit which can be totally enclosed or totally open to the breeze as needed. Full 360 view always. Enclosure is clear plastic in sections removeable or roll up as desired. Better view than in the cats I have been on.

Large windows in a cabin below deck are not a seaworthy option.

[Dooglas]

After years in cruising sailboats, my last 2 boats have been trawler style cruisers. I do my cruising in the Northwest. That means coastal passages, protected anchorages, and a fair number of rainy days. I very much enjoy the large windows in the salon so that visibility around me at anchor is good and lots of natural light. Hard to accomplish that in a monohull sailboat, so I'd say the best alternative would be a cockpit enclosure with removable sections.