Center cockpit vrs aft cockpit

[s/v Jedi]

Boracay: I've never seen a boat low at the stern as the result of it's aft cockpit. If one is, the architect made some serious mistakes. I have seen some small boats <30' low at the stern after they fit davits and hoist big dinghies with them ;-)
Also, for weight distribution, the height of that weight is very important. If you add 500 pounds 4 feet above the waterline like some CC's do, you will need 500 pounds 4 feet below the waterline to balance that. If the same 500 pounds are used for an aft cockpit at 2' above waterline, you only need 250 pounds ballast 4 feet under the waterline to balance it. And we didn't even add the extra windage yet nor the persons that sit higher in a CC...

Cheechako: I never get that secure feeling in a CC... I always feel like it wants to spit me overboard (which CC wouldn't want to do that to me ha ha ;-)
I have actually been on a boat that had an aft cockpit and was worse. It was a Catalina 47 aft cockpit but with the same big aft cabin you find on CC's. To make room, they raised the cockpit seats 2 feet but the floor 3 feet. So now you sit there with your knees besides your cheeks. The cockpit coamings were about 10" high so I'm sure you quickly brake your back when you sit there at sea... or you flip over which means directly overboard because the lifelines are below the level of the seats. I spent a good 30 seconds on that boat and was out of there before the sales-droid could flip me his card.
I would feel much better on a good CC than on that boat.

cheers,
Nick.

[captain58sailin]

I am not too concerned about the comfort of the guest's accommodations, if it is a little uncomfortable then maybe they won't be so inclined to stay very long. Seems like when the weather is rough/ish the main salon is the area most folks seem seek out, for sleeping. I am with the old timers, throw everything on the cabin sole and get comfy, the weather will blow itself out eventually.

[jobberone]

The more I read the more confused I get. If I didn't value being my own captain so much (I get to go where I want) I'd just crew for a year and figure out which boat to buy. Since I'm so independent (??selfish) then I'll probably buy a couple of boats before I begin to figure out what I really want.

Then again when I'm out there it's all good. Well mostly.

[Sam Plan B]

I own a Columbia 41 with a center cockpit. The well of the cockpit is over the engine compartment. It has a walk through galley to port and a walk through head to stbd. Forward of that is the main saloon. The boat has a fairly good size aft and forward cabins. It also had good headroom throughout. The one thing lacking is no seperate shower stall.

[s/v Beth]

I am kinda with you on this one jobber. I own a salty small boat which I learn alot from and sail weekly. Then, to figure out which boat I eventually want, I charter in exotic locations and take my family with me. The problem is that I can't charter some of the boats I am really interested in, like a Valiant 40.

[Hampus]

Originally Posted by jobberone

The more I read the more confused I get. If I didn't value being my own captain so much (I get to go where I want) I'd just crew for a year and figure out which boat to buy. Since I'm so independent (??selfish) then I'll probably buy a couple of boats before I begin to figure out what I really want.

Then again when I'm out there it's all good. Well mostly.

Don't count on getting it right the first time. Usually, 3 is a charm People usually change boats once or twice before they find what they like. Then once mor when their lifestyle changes, like retirement, kids have grown up or the Mrs just gave birth to triplets. More drawbacks of CC's: It's hard to keep eye on your fishing gear and it's hard to hoist the cooled beer out of the water without leaning over the side (which you really shouldn't if you've already had a couple)

The best advice I can give you is based on my own experince. When you ask a question, you'll get all kinds of answers and viewpoints. Sometimes people will just claim to know what's right, and they may be, but usually, there's more than one truth. Sometimes people will tell you what to do even if they're not asked to do so. like when I was recaulking the deck a couple of years ago there was a constant stream of people passing by wondering why I did this or that or telling me that I was doing it all wrong and that I would have to do it again in a year. Funny thing is that not two people gave the same advice and most of them contradicted eachother. My point is: Listen to what others think then make up your own mind. Take in what you find useful and reject the rest, then close your ears and eyes and go out to get some hands on experiece for yourself. Take all into consideration together with a good portion of what your gut tells you to do, and you won't miss the goal by far.

Best of luck!

/Hampus

[Celestialsailor]

I'm glad we're not discussing Pilothouse's...Jedi might carve me a new one!!!

[Christian Van H]

C'mon Celestrial...EVERYONE knows pilothouses ROCK!!!

[MarkJ]

I haven't read the whole thread cos the internet connect is so bad at the moment.

Aft cockpit with twin wheels means a huge cockpit.
Single wheel aft or centre cockpit can mean very small.

Most time is spent in the cockpit in a tropical cruise.

The only time spent in a master cabin is wwith eys shut.

It comes down to whats more importnat. Sleeping space or living space.

I notice that Oyster have finally put out a twin steering wheel design! No doubt because they have lost too many sales to boats with decent size cockpits. Have a look at their new 57.

Before you make any decision go have a look at a modern production boats twin wheel cocpit... I don't care if you are a Beneteau hater... you will be able to see what modern thought it sofr living space flow-though - one vast sweep from the swim platform, through the main entertainment eating area on deck and then to the companionway.

Oyster must be using the Beneteau / Jeaneau layout for a reason: Its works, Its bigger; you dont have to climb around the wheel and you can see your guests not be blocked by the binnacle.

Its hard to get the best of both worlds. No doubt the Oyster 57 has done it... but we are not in the mood for a big boat, nor have the coupla million

[andreavanduyn]

how about a Furia 44' ?
We looked for a CC of around 45 foot or 50 foot aft cockpit for reasons as mentioned in this discussion but feel we found the good sailing yacht with ' best of both'

[Rhosyn Mor]

Rhosyn Mor is a center cockpit ketch.
phots are here
photos
although the pics are not great, you (might just) can see that she is not a wedding cake, and that the aft cabin is almost invisible.
the aft cabin is not huge, just large enough to sleep two comfortably.
Thse photos were taken just before the installation of the hard dodger.
The wheel is just forward of the rudder.
Nothing like a Hunter or a Bene, so perhaps a drift from the original post

[michael201]

Hey Mark... I love the new Oyster 57. I loved it before I saw it. Look at the Passport 615 & new 585. Mine (615) will be displayed at the 09 Annapolis show. Can't wait. I'm sure Oyster had seen the design before the 57 was put out there. Since there are sooo many more Oysters out there, I'm sure mine wil be mistaken for one many times...

[MarkJ]

Originally Posted by michael201

Look at the Passport 615 & new 585. Mine (615) will be displayed at the 09 Annapolis show. .

That is one seriously nice boat, Michael!!!!!!!

What was it like to take delivery? The first time you stepped aboard the new boat? How did you feel?

One day, when we grow up we want to have a brand new boat .... won't be that big, nor those premium brands... but it will be truly loved

Mark
PS At the Annapolis show you are allowed to have a whoppin big sign "NO MILKSHAKES ON BOARD!"

[bstreep]

To me, there was one single obvious reason for our center cockpit choice:

The admiral.

Having one of us have to crawl over the other in the middle of the night, I knew, just wouldn't fly. While there are some decent owner's cabins forward, she really wanted the aft palace.

Here's a sketch of the plan: http://www.sailboatdata.com/viewreco...?class_ID=2810

The aft cockpit boats with an aft "palace" tend to be too cave-like.

[CarlF]

I'm with Bill. I went to a center cockpit boat so I wouldn't sail alone (or worse with a bunch of broken down old guys complaining about their bad backs).

I saw the future at the helm of a beautiful Hinckley B40 charter. I was in heaven. The Admiral was being a good sport but I could tell it wasn't going to last.

Above 45 feet, I think the compromises of a modern center cockpit aren't too bad compared to sleeping alone.

And while the slightly higher cockpit might have a little more motion (that frankly I don't feel because it is a bigger and heavier boat) the height also makes it a good bit drier - especially from slop hitting the side of the boat.

I also agree that the new twin wheel cockpits are the future. Easier access to the dinghy and swim step and if you sit to leeward you can almost imagine you're at the helm of a B40 - almost.

Carl