How important is cabin head room?

[mdsdurango]

I am currently planning my trip down the Atlantic coast. I've read a lot of books and, so far, browsed hundreds of boats. My budget is not limited to small but I would rather it be. Therefore I am looking at boats well under 40'. I want a shallow draft, as I will be using the ICW as needed. I am 6'2" in bare feet. I can find some great boats at great prices in some 30' boats but head room is only - at the highest - 6'1". I wonder how important that one inch is? I would prefer a head room height of 6'3" but those seem few and far between in a < 35' boat. I like the Island Packet for the head room but they are considerably more expensive than so many others.
So my question is this: How is it to live in a boat with a ceiling shorter than the top of my head?

More info; Single, 66 yrs old, healthy, planning on two years cruising minimum.

Again, thanks for your opinions!

Mike

[JPA Cate]

Mostly, it gets really old to not be able to stand up straight, especially for cooking, and avoiding hitting your head.

Also, make sure the bunks are long enough for you. Had a friend, 6'4", and bed length was a big issue for him.

Ann

[NYSail]

Pearson 36-2 shoal draft with center board. Plenty head room and 4’2” draft.....

[drewm3i]

Very important

[two-rocks]

Sold the last boat, just to upgrade headroom. I’m 6’2” as well. Headroom is paramount.

[Stu Jackson]

I had a C25 for 13 years and couldn't stand up down below unless the hatch was open or the pop top was up. Got old real fast and that's why they called it "The C25 STOOP." I kept the boat that long 'cuz where I lived I could spend most of my time "upstairs"and not below unless anchored or docked.


It is critical.


There have been two similar questions on just this topic this week alone.

[mdsdurango]

Well that pretty much settles it! I will look for 6'3" head room minimum! And a berth to match!
Thank you for your input!

[Island Time O25]

Had O'Day 25, otherwise perfect boat for my then needs. Sold her as the headroom was 1.5-2 inches too low. ((

[Ken Pole]

Speking from painful experience at 5'9" (175cm), I think it's especially important when many of us wear ballcaps which obscure our upward field of vision. Yeah, they can be worn backwards but then we look like superannuated skaterboyz. LMAO or LMHO (lose my head off?). Well, I thought it was funny¡

[Jibeman]

I am 6'0" with plenty of head room. You would would fit nicely. I have a 34 Sabre MK1 1979. It has a centerboard Up is 3'9" draft. Great ocean sailing or ICW. I am on again off again in selling it. I am thinking of going to a Corsair go fast day sailer. The boat looks great and all new through hulls. A/C and new Garmin Chart Plotter.

Mike

[tarian]

Unless you want to go to a back doctor , then a hip Doctor , onto your Knee Docotr until you find one for your ankles and toes , I would suggest stooping for any length of time will cascade you whole body needing attention .
Good Posture leads to healthly livivng

[boatman61]

6ft 2in here..
Depends how much time you spend pacing the cabin sole..
I never stand straight prepping or cooking, or when pulling on my trousers.. most of my boats have been from 4ft 6in to 6ft headroom and my ankles, knees, hips and back are just fine.. as is my erect posture and agility.
I think the above ailments are more weight related than headroom but.. makes a great whipping post.
Funny thing is on my last trip on a Sigma 33 my crew at around 5ft 8in was banging their head all the time..

[tarian]

The point was rhetorical I know its hard to see when you need to write in sillyness, but the point stands as and good Doctor or in my Case a good sports coach in his day that bendig and slouching will give you issues you physio will tell you to sit to put you socks on I do not belive for one minute that you have no aches and pains , or are you just hidding them from us
In fact your profile picture has you slouching OH dear oh Dear

[boatman61]

Always sit forwards, elbows on table in the pub, easier to hear conversation especially in Peters Bar during the Transat months, it gets noisy..
Do get hangovers easier these days..

[hamburking]

I sailed 5 seasons on my C&C25 with my kids. The head room was about 3 inches less than my height.

Whenever below, I would immediately sit. So in general it was not an issue at all. With one exception...cooking. I don't know why, but you gotta stand to cook. And I always had to be crouched over a bit, or head down. It got old really fast. Aside from that, it was rarely an issue. I do recall once really cracking my skull hard on the beam under the mast...I almost passed out as I collapsed onto the floor...but the sound of my kids laughing their asses off kept me conscious.