Two cockpits

[SoundOfSilence]

Hey folks,

I have been looking at some of the old swans lately, for fun of course :-D, for example the ones made around 1990, the 40 feet, the 46 and the 53. I think they look really cool with the double cockpits. Is there any advantages? The forward cockpit is quite small, not sure if it has any real usage, apart from having the main entrance to the boat.

I have attached a couple of images so you get the idea.

What do you think?

[Stumble]

I always think of them as a horrible use of space. I guess on a large enough boat they might be worth it, but otherwise it just takes away from living accommodations for very little gain.

[SoundOfSilence]

But most people prefer to sail in warm climates and are outside most of the time. Then it makes sense to make better use of the deck space and maybe sacrifice a bit of the living quarters?

[deluxe68]

I always wondered about that myself.

[Jimbo485]

Originally Posted by SoundOfSilence

Hey folks,

I have been looking at some of the old swans lately, for fun of course :-D, for example the ones made around 1990, the 40 feet, the 46 and the 53. I think they look really cool with the double cockpits. Is there any advantages? The forward cockpit is quite small, not sure if it has any real usage, apart from having the main entrance to the boat.

I have attached a couple of images so you get the idea.

What do you think?

I think that if we wanted 2 cockpits, an Atlantic 57 would be far more appropriate than the old Swans.

[roverhi]

Think the forward cockpit is there to provide a relatively easy entry to the boat without going through the owner's aft stateroom. The mid deck companionway was quite common on the older S&S and other designs bercause of an aft owner's stateroom.

[stillbuilding]

I have a small aft working cockpit and a large leisure cockpit immediately behind the pilot house. Not quite in the water yet so have to wait to see how it works out. Theoretically will keep all the action aft but could be busy place at times. I wanted to be able to control everything single-handed. The larger cockpit provides upper or lower seating and is covered by dodger/bimini.
Pics attached of early construction phase.

[SoundOfSilence]

Originally Posted by stillbuilding

I have a small aft working cockpit and a large leisure cockpit immediately behind the pilot house. Not quite in the water yet so have to wait to see how it works out. Theoretically will keep all the action aft but could be busy place at times. I wanted to be able to control everything single-handed. The larger cockpit provides upper or lower seating and is covered by dodger/bimini.
Pics attached of early construction phase.

That sounds like a good setup. The boat has to be quite big to have two cockpits like this. Has anyone seen smaller boats with two decent cockpits, for example in the 40-50 feet range? The centre cockpit should be big enough for a fixed table.

[SoundOfSilence]

Originally Posted by Jimbo485

I think that if we wanted 2 cockpits, an Atlantic 57 would be far more appropriate than the old Swans.

I guess you are right. Catamarans are expensive though...

[JazzyO]

I sailed a Baltic 42DP with two cockpits, but there they are very close together and on that boat it is a boon when sailing with more than 2 people because the main sail and head sail controls are split and you stay out of each other's way. On the downside, it makes them harder and less sociable to sail single- or double handed.

The set-up on this Swan I don't understand. What's with the placement of the winch too far behind the second cockpit but too far forward for the first? The two cockpits are also very far from each other. I suppose if you have a row on board it helps....


Onno

[stillbuilding]

I have seen a few 45'+ yachts with double cockpits - usually resolves into private aft cockpit and stateroom with common forward cockpit and guest areas

[JazzyO]

Originally Posted by stillbuilding

I have seen a few 45'+ yachts with double cockpits - usually resolves into private aft cockpit and stateroom with common forward cockpit and guest areas

Yes, but this forward one pictured on the Swan seems too small for a comfortable common cockpit/guest area set up.


Onno

[David_Old_Jersey]

I guess the idea was to keep guests away from the sailing stuff.