Preferred Berth

[Stu Jackson]

We have the largest V berth on a boat of our size. We originally bought it for the aft cabin, but once we tried the V berth we were hooked. Friends with the same boat have fitted lee cloths to the saloon settees.

[Khagan1227]

At sea: Port Settee, Stbd, Aft, then Vee (I hate being airborn at o'dark thirty).

At anchor/slip: Aft, Vee, then double in salon (currently on the port side).

[cfarrar]

Salon settees at sea.

At anchor the V-berth for the breeze and the ability to pop up through the hatch.

[Cheechako]

at anchor, in order of preference:
#1 The V berth (but not because of access!)
#2 Aft cabin or large quarter berth
#3 Pullman berth

[tbodine88]

Aft starboard quarter berth. It is hard to get in and out of on a potter, but even when the weather is hot. I prefer it.

[gjordan]

It is interesting that almost no one has mentioned a pilot berth. They have been touted for decades as the good seagoing berth, yet hardly anyone uses them. I have slept in one at anchor on a warm afternoon when a bunch of ladies were preparing a big dinner for a group of sailors. It was a nice feeling to be comfortable, yet out of the way of all the activity. I tried sleeping in one under sail and it scared the hell out of me. Even with good lee clothes, I could not get over the fact that if we took a knock down, there was a long way to fall before hitting rib breaking pieces of the interior. Depending on who my crew is, I prefer the forepeak under way, or a quarter berth if I need to be closer to the action. I would sleep on the sole before I would sleep in a pilot berth. I am boat looking now, and if I find a decent boat, but it has pilot berths,I will put storage cabinets in there place.___Just another opinion.____Grant.

[Astrid]

My usual quarters at anchor or tied up in port is the double berth portside forward of the salon. It can be screened off, as can the starboard double berth, for privacy. The V-berth was converted to a working space some years ago. At sea I normally sleep in a hammock in the salon or on one of the two settee berths; if the weather is bad and I feel I might be needed, my chair in the nav station will do for a cat nap.

[robert sailor]

At anchor the Vberth but we just bought a CC so I guess we'll see how the aft cabin thing works. I like a V-birth for fresh air and sticking my nose out if I want plus I can get in and out without disturbing my wife.
At sea a single berth on either side midships with lee cloth, pilot berth is fine, you'd never get me in a V-berth at sea but I have tried it which is why etc.

[TeddyDiver]

Originally Posted by gjordan

It is interesting that almost no one has mentioned a pilot berth. They have been touted for decades as the good seagoing berth, yet hardly anyone uses them.

Not too many boats having one.

[Ramblingman]

I've always been a "V" berth fan in any condition. Even when it's nasty I love the "V" berth. That said my Sea Gull has a Pilot cabin and I can't wait to try that out.

When chilling with a group of hot women, it's all about opening up the settee!

[Adelie]

Originally Posted by Jammer Six

What berth do you prefer?

Most of the owners I run into prefer the port after berth.

One couple uses the V birth.

Which do you prefer, and why? Is the one couple weird?

Enquiring Minds Want To Know!

Underway as crew in order of preference
Leeward pilot berth
leeward quarter berth
leeward settee
then repeat on the windward side

As skipper with crew I get the settee period, fastest to get on deck if I am needed.

In harbor then whatever is convenient.
Alone a settee
As crew whatever assigned
As skipper w/out Significant Other then settee
Skipper w/ SO - V-berth

[MarkJ]

At sea I use the forward berth. At anchor too.

As I have a Pullman style forward berth on the post tack to windward I slide south to the Aft Cabin. So named because its the aft cabin.

Mark

[Jammer Six]

Okay, I just realized you guys are not calling the benches the pilot berth, there's some other berth you're calling a pilot berth.

So what's a pilot berth?

[mrohr]

Pilot berth is outboard and above the settees and open to the main salon,Its occupant is nestled just under the deck and will be kept in place with lee cloths or a drop in board fitted into slots as in some older Hinckleys. Fairly comfortable in a seaway on either tack since the motion amidships is better than in the ends.Berth might require some agility getting in on the wrong tack but getting out will be expedited by gravity. Biggest downside to me was that the off watch occupant could hear the crew banging and yelling during sail changes and reefing all the while hearing the torrents of seawater washing across the decks a few inches above his face. I have always found it hard to get back to sleep when all that chaos topside must surely mean that we are all gonna die!

[daddle]

Port aft berth, under the cockpit, while underway. Has the most pleasant motion and near the office. At anchor the V-berth of course. Has the most room and the best mattress. Afternoon naps on a bunk in the salon.

Anywhere forward has too much motion while underway...an annoying quick wiggling...the V-berth is known as "anti-gravity land" if things get rough (either at sea or at anchor...I suppose)