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Old 27-10-2010, 10:33   #1
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Pros and Cons of a Center Cockpit Mono

I am just in the research phase of looking for a boat to retire on and cruise the world (T-minus 5 Yrs). I am really liking the CC version layout specifically for the large aft owners stateroom and seperation from other cabins w/own head and shower.

The Cons as I see them are:

1. Difficulty in boarding
2. No swim platform typically
3. Increased spray from bow
4. Cockpit Drainage maybe
5. Centerline Double not great at sea

Pros:
1. Large Aft Stateroom w/centerline double
2. Fantail area for deck storage (dinghy)
3. Greater storage area internally ???
4. Owners Head


What I am really after is what performance issues are there for this configuration? I have not sailed a CC and only have experience in aft cockpit with sugar scoop transom.

Kind of like this boat and price as an example: http://www.yachtworld.com/boats/1986/Pearson-422-Center-Cockpit-2248944/Indiantown/FL/United-States

Your thoughts?

Thanks,
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Old 27-10-2010, 10:43   #2
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center cockpit

Hi Jacob,

I live on an S2-35 center cockpit. To answer your questions:


The Cons as I see them are:

1. Difficulty in boarding

I don't see a center any more or less dificult than an aft



2. No swim platform typically

The cockpit config has no bearing on a swim platform, I have one on my boat.


3. Increased spray from bow

I rarely get any spray, and if I do, conditions are such that I would get spray in an aft


4. Cockpit Drainage maybe

Possibly, but many aft cockpits have drainage issues.


5. Centerline Double not great at sea

True, but this is also not necesarily a product of the cockpit config. You could also have sea berths.



Pros:
1. Large Aft Stateroom w/centerline double

Yes!


2. Fantail area for deck storage (dinghy)

Also great for parties

3. Greater storage area internally ???

Depends on the boat


4. Owners Head


Depends on the boat.


Now, for the real cons:

Difficult to provide any engine ventelation should you so desire.
Running heat and/or AC ducting can be a challenge
On my boat, access to the aft cabin is via the head or the galley. Not really a problem unless you have a lot of people on board.


As to performance, the cockpit config really has no bearing - the boat can be a pig with an aft, or fast as hell with a center - it's the underwater part that is more important.
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Old 27-10-2010, 10:43   #3
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sounds about right. I'd add that while some center cockpits are reasonably attractive, many are not. But that is, of course, subjective. there's also some talk that center cockpits take a slight hit in stability, though I don't know if it's great enough to be of any real concern.
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Old 27-10-2010, 10:50   #4
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Cons

High freeboard /
Additional windage

Length a contributing factor to comfort etc. CC only practical on larger boats according to some experts.
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Old 27-10-2010, 11:11   #5
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Yeah, (how could I) forgot about windage. For me, really only a problem backing into a slip with a cross wind. Of course, my 2 friends with aft cockpits seem unable to back thier boats into a slip any time.

What do you consider "a larger boat" Mine works quite well. I personally think the aft cockpit, aft cabin doesn't work well in any size. Even if you are large enough for headroom, you never have good ventalation.
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Old 27-10-2010, 11:24   #6
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I dunno. I thought I remember over 38 feet, but could be over 40 somewhere, maybe 42?

Those bad backup artists might have a problem because they are not fin or skeg keels?

im not negating CC. I was looking into them for a while because i wanted an aft cabin. I found a nice steelie 36, but the owner was a P-K and wouldn't call me back. But back to looking at smaller designs
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Old 27-10-2010, 11:36   #7
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The biggest problem - lack of deck storage particulary on smaller boats. also, the smaller boats look like wedding cakes which contibutes to winadage. The design rarely works well on boats less than 40-45 feet. Cockpit drainage should actually be better than on closed cockpit aft-cockpit boats. My belief is that you should sit in not on a true off-shore boat and that center cockpit boats meet this requirement better. By the way, mine is for sale as we are moving back ashore (58 ft Taswell 58AS).
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Old 27-10-2010, 11:47   #8
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The biggest problem by far is that I've been eyeballing that boat!
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Old 27-10-2010, 11:58   #9
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Hi Jacob,

I think the posts so far have pretty accurately addressed the pros and cons of CC vs AC. Bottom line, any boat is going to be a compromise. As you can see from my profile my compromise was a Pearson 422.

So far no regrets.

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Old 27-10-2010, 12:03   #10
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my biggest problem so far is not having any boat! =(
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Old 27-10-2010, 12:44   #11
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We're happy with the compromises of our Endeavour 42CC.

We have end boom sheeting that is behind the helm, just aft of the cockpit so no traveller in the cockpit or mid-boom sheeting on the coach roof. A good thing.

Our engine room does not seem to suffer for ventilation. We have a cowling with power blower to evac heat.

We have 2 6' settees in the salon that work well for sleeping underway. They are low in the center of the boat which is the most comfortable. Lee cloths could be easily rigged.

When the bimini is enclosed it does look boxy. Without the enclosure it's not that noticable. We don't have a dodger, just a full length bimini over the entire cockpit.

Went directly into 20k winds and very steep 8' to 10' seas this summer and saw very little spray reach the cockpit. The spray that did kick up would have reached an AC.

Many 80's vintage boats did not have a swim step, either AC or CC. Today the only production builder of CC boats is Hunter and they all have swim steps. Bene made a nice 42CC for a while.
I wanted a swimstep but that was one of the compromises we made with our Endeavour. The last model year E-42 did incorporate a scoop stern swim step, rare.

What I REALLY hated in AC boats was the aft berth with the cockpit footwell intruding into the interior space. I spent a week aboard an AC boat sleeping in the aft berth. What a PAIN, literally, banging my head on the fiberglass. We have full standing & walking room throughout our boat. Wouldn't want to live without that. I'm not a hunched over cave man (not yet). Sleeping in the V berth subjects you to wave slap & a bouncy ride. Plus there is much less locker space forward than aft in any boat.
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Old 27-10-2010, 13:04   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SaltyMonkey View Post
my biggest problem so far is not having any boat! =(
LOL...Ya!...me too!...
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Old 27-10-2010, 14:46   #13
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Freeboard a problem, not always
My freeboard at the boarding gate is 40", There are smaller boats around me that sit higher...
On deck storage, 6' cockpit locker and lazarette storage is 7'W x4'D x5'H..
I think it's actually too big
Spray over the bow only if I'm driving her hard
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Old 27-10-2010, 15:03   #14
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G'Day all,

This subject specifically has been beaten to death here on CF, and if one goes over all the arguments, one realizes that it all comes down to personal preferences.

So, my personal preference is for an aft cockpit design. I have never understood the obsession with using somewhere around 30-35% of the boats usable volume for a place that you use for around 8 hours a day... unconscious! YMMV.

I won't reiterate all the arguments that have been aired before, and leave it to the individual buyer to decide what is best for them.

Cheers

Jim and Ann s/v Insatiable II (aft cockpit, 2 comfortable aft cabins) lying Airlie Beach, Qld, Oz
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Old 27-10-2010, 15:22   #15
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Cons: My boat does not have one.
Carry on.
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