Boats 40 to 50 ft with comfortable sleeping area.

[zippy]

I am looking for a 40 to 50 ft boat under $150k for cruising between Puerto Rico and Granada for 6 months of the year. One of my key requirements is comfortable sleeping accommodations for a couple. For me this means:

-No V or Pullman berths as I don't want to be climbing over anyone (been there, done that, not interested).

-I am interested only in aft cockpit boats which usually means the main cabin is in the bow. The Jeanneau 42ds has a decent aft cabin but the 2 level cockpit seating is awful. I also prefer the better ventilation provided by a bow cabin.

These requirements point to a main bow cabin with an actual centreline queen berth where your heads point forward. There seem to be frustratingly few boats equipped in this manner so if you know any that fit the bill, please respond so I can narrow down my search.

[Eder]

My IP460 fits the bill....we slept in the forward owners cabin queen size bunk while underway from Victoria BC to Puerto Vallarta in reasonable comfort other than Cape Mendocino. Aft cabin is king size bunk.Of course you might need to triple the dough you have but its well worth being poor compared to compromise.

[zippy]

At triple the price I would buy a catamaran

[VanIslandGuy]

Check out the layout of the Hunter 460. It is exactly the layout you want, centre line forward birth, with pillows forward, and an aft cockpit. 1999-2002 models should be negotiable to the price you stated.

[UNCIVILIZED]

At $150,000 you can buy a catamaran.

[Dogscout]

Grand Soleil 463

[TheOffice]

Catalina 42

[Sandibar]

I know your pain. My and wife's main complaint is the cramped sleeping arrangement in our 35'. Here is one option with a decent front cabin, Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 45.2: 1998 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 45.2 Purjevene Vene Myytävänä - www.yachtworld.fi

[leftbrainstuff]

Liberty 458. No V berth but she is center cockpit.

They either have an island queen or a pullman in the aft stateroom and an office and double berth between the v berth head and salon.

We have the island queen option. We have lived and worked aboard for 3 years. You can see the layout at

www.sailingtheplanet.com

[Ndavies]

We love our Hunter 42 Passage - its Center Cockpit, but that's one thing that makes it so great!

[ronbo1]

Gozzard 37, 41, 44B have forward centerline berths. The G44B forward berth doesn't have to be converted but is permanent.

[sailorita2002]

We have a '93 Catalina 42 in the Rio Dulce Guatemala. She's presently on the hard. We've made many upgrades and she's a real comfortable liveaboard. More info on her is certainly available.

[rosatte]

best sleeping spot ive ever found is in a hammock strung from mast to forestay....u wont beat it...a bug net when needed and sleep like a baby.

[jheldatksuedu]

I was going to mention the hammock even if it doesn't fit the description, I've slept in one for the most part of 5 years now in a 45ft steel ketch that's been around the world.

[zippy]

The list so far includes:
-Catalina 42
-Hunter 46
-Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 452
-Jeanneau Grand Soleil 463

Others mentioned are way over budget or centre cockpit. That's a pretty short list for a feature that would pretty high on many people's priority list. I was very disappointed when the Beneteau 43 came out with its skimpy little V berth as there are now many of these available in the Caribbean.