Best Pilothouse Sailboat?

[edwmama]

Funny some of the millionaires
And billionaires I know barely spoke English
And some, even the ones born here in america, never finished high school

I guess they've made their fortunes
In areas not requiring even bare minimum
Literary skill, and yes they own
Some of the biggest yachts around

[Group9]

Originally Posted by GrowleyMonster

Don't laugh but I am actually considering converting my Cal 2-27 to a pilothouse boat. The new after bulkhead will be even with the after edge of the bridge deck, so I will lose a little cockpit space. When finished I will have wheel steering inside, and the ability to connect a tiller in the cockpit for emergencies or maybe for docking/undocking. I have a history of skin cancer so I want to minimize my exposure as much as possible. Besides, I don't steer a ship outside in the weather, so why should I steer my sailboat outside? I would rather stay dry and warm, especially when I have everything outside set for self-tacking. The beer is inside, I want to be inside. A sun worshipper I am not. The only hitch other than the obvious hit on windward performance, is I might have to raise the gooseneck attachment a few inches and move the vang a little toward the mast. But it is do-able. I suppose it will be the only pilothouse 2-27 afloat, I don't know.


Pilothouses rock. Especially if you burn easily or have had skin cancer or are at risk. Or sail in cold, wet places.

I don't blame you. I would never sail north of Florida without one again. I got tired of being cold when I lived in Annapolis and would try and stretch out the sailing season.

[Blue Crab]

Originally Posted by edwmama

Funny some of the millionaires
And billionaires I know barely spoke English
And some, even the ones born here in america, never finished high school

I guess they've made their fortunes
In areas not requiring even bare minimum
Literary skill, and yes they own
Some of the biggest yachts around

Yeah, I've heard that. Never believed it. We're all billionaires on the internet. And so are all our acquaintances. Handsome too.

[JJ77]

Nobody mentioned the "Noordkaper" series here;



Steel built by Gebr. Van Enkhuizen.designed by Martin Bekebrede.variable draft,business like pilothouse.Fit for all seas,all weathers.

Nice thread gents!
Have a nice weekend!

[edwmama]

Thank you for telling us about noordkaper
Sounds like solid true pilothouse Water boats">blue water boats lie the nauticats

Would love to see larger 48 or 49 foot pilothouse versions

Taswell 49 all season is another true pilothouse
I don't understand why only 5 or 6 were built if they were well designed and well built

[minaret]

Yep, all very nice pilothouse boats. Don't forget Hans Christian does pilothouse boats too. The double ender+pilothouse configuration makes for too teeny a cockpit for my taste in these sizes, but they are very well built and nice boats to look at for anyone considering a pilothouse cruising boat.

[edwmama]

Yes fully aware of Hans Christian pilot house boats
They are well built solid pilothouse boats
They don't however have 48 to 49 foot versions
And quite frankly I don't care for the " fishing boat " reverse angle windshield
Design- not very aero dynamic- and too much windage

[goat]

What no votes for the Tanzer 10.5? Perfect PNW cruiser.

[bobconnie]

Ya rear slanted windows are fish boat looking, but they sure work when ya have to have water hitting them ! LOL I really do like the way they work ! most times ya don't even need windshild wipers! And yes Im one of those folks that can't spell or write a proper paragraft, lol but ya know Im a hell of a mechanic, machnist, welder !! and a pretty fair country sailor !! And think folks can figure what Im sayin most of the time LOL

[minaret]

Originally Posted by edwmama

Yes fully aware of Hans Christian pilot house boats
They are well built solid pilothouse boats
They don't however have 48 to 49 foot versions
And quite frankly I don't care for the " fishing boat " reverse angle windshield
Design- not very aero dynamic- and too much windage

I love that look, functional, practical, salty. They are very nice from inside the house too. The Noordkap has them as well. To each their own.

[minaret]

Originally Posted by bobconnie

Ya rear slanted windows are fish boat looking, but they sure work when ya have to have water hitting them ! LOL I really do like the way they work ! most times ya don't even need windshild wipers! And yes Im one of those folks that can't spell or write a proper paragraft, lol but ya know Im a hell of a mechanic, machnist, welder !! and a pretty fair country sailor !! And think folks can figure what Im sayin most of the time LOL

Bob, I'm sure all of us understand your "paragrafts" just fine, I know I do. No judgment here, your experience is as valid as anyone else's...

[Pelagic]

+1 for the reverse Bridge Windows, which I always try to recommend if the client is open to functionality.

Another big advantage of them is that it cuts down dramatically on Bridge Glare when underway at Night


Perhaps it is just me… but on photo that Noordkap looks a bit bow heavy, with too low a freeboard for its size?

[minaret]

Originally Posted by Pelagic

+1 for the reverse Bridge Windows, which I always try to recommend if the client is open to functionality.

Another big advantage of them is that it cuts down dramatically on Bridge Glare when underway at Night


Perhaps it is just me… but on photo that Noordkap looks a bit bow heavy, with too low a freeboard for its size?

This is a somewhat common compromise on large pilothouse vessels, to allow visibility over the bow from the inside steering station. My boat is like that too. It doesn't look quite right in photos but I find that in person the look is totally different. Much prefer boats that are designed with good visibility, many aren't. I looked at this rare forward pilothouse Spencer when I was shopping, might have bought her if the layout was different. Forward house was different but surprisingly cool. She's one of my neighbors now.

[Pelagic]

Really interesting…. I have never seen that Spencer design before.
I wonder if it was a one off or a few were built?

Concerns:
I would think the Pilothouse would be very lively going to weather
Does not lend itself to a permanent Bimini underway, which I feel is necessary in the Tropics.
Mizzen handling is not possible from cockpit, requiring a 2nd crew to go aft

[minaret]

Originally Posted by Pelagic

Really interesting…. I have never seen that Spencer design before.
I wonder if it was a one off or a few were built?

Concerns:
I would think the Pilothouse would be very lively going to weather
Does not lend itself to a permanent Bimini underway, which I feel is necessary in the Tropics.
Mizzen handling is not possible from cockpit, requiring a 2nd crew to go aft

Only one built, factory custom. I agree with your concerns. Visibility is, however, excellent. Just thought I'd point out the extremes some designs go to to address an issue other designs haven't considered at all.