Sailboats With Few Stairs From Cockpit To Cabin

[snort]

Apart from pilothouse designs, what sailboats from 30' to 40' have only a couple or maybe three easy steps down into the cabin?
The Cal 34 comes to mind, and I know I've been on others, but can't quite remember.
Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

[SoundOfSilence]

Maybe a bit bigger than you want, but Beneteau has launched the Sense series which has just a few steps down to the cabins. Most of the older boats seems to have more steps. Maybe the old Maxi boats have just a few steps, for example Maxi 95?

[BlackOak]

My 1970 Seafarer 34 has 3 steps from cockpit to sole of the boat.

[bobconnie]

I would be looking at Pilot House type boats, normaly they have split stairwells one into the P House, and one down into the saloon area. Our P House ketch has 2 steps down into the house, and 3 small steps into the main area. Makes it easier for us old folks !

[snort]

Thanks for those ideas so far!
The Islander 32 was one I was on some months ago, and that also had a similar looking setup as the Cal 34.
A pilothouse might still be the best way to go.

[TaoJones]

On most catamarans, entering the saloon from the cockpit is kinda like going from your patio into your family room. Doesn't get much easier than that. Granted, you'll have to go down a few steps into the hulls to access the head(s) and sleeping cabins, and some designs have the galley and nav station down in a hull, as well.

The Ranger 33 and Newport 30 have pretty easy climbs from the saloon to the cockpit. And when you get down below 30' it's usually just a couple of steps.

A lot of the easier ones, though, won't have a bridge deck to step over between the cockpit and saloon. While that makes it easier, it can invite problems if the vessel gets pooped (takes a wave over the transom that floods the cockpit.)

It can even sink a boat if tons of water fill the cockpit and wash into the interior. I once read of a boat that sank in 30 seconds off Puerto Rico while sailing without any washboards in place on a bright, sunny day.

TaoJones

[onestepcsy37]

csy 37. three easy wide steps from cockpit to cabin sole. you can walk down facing forward...

[JazzyO]

Originally Posted by TaoJones

A lot of the easier ones, though, won't have a bridge deck to step over between the cockpit and saloon. While that makes it easier, it can invite problems if the vessel gets pooped (takes a wave over the transom that floods the cockpit.)

It can even sink a boat if tons of water fill the cockpit and wash into the interior. I once read of a boat that sank in 30 seconds off Puerto Rico while sailing without any washboards in place on a bright, sunny day.

TaoJones

Yes, most modern designs are usually quite a risky proposition in this regard with blue water sailing. My Baltic has only a small sliding hatch as a companionway and is much safer in that regard. The downside is of course the steep steps to get down below, which means you have to be careful especially in rougher seas.


Onno

[Jim Cate]

IIRC, the Islander 36 has a fairly easy companionway, but it has been a few years since I've been on one.

Jim