What other sailboats have THIS layout?

[Steely Dancer]

My wife and I are going to be in the market for a liveaboard sailing vessel in 2021—and I'll post in the classifieds then—but for now I wanted to ask about a belowdecks layout we've grown very fond of during our preliminary (online) searches:



Here's what we love about this layout:

-the lengthwise galley opposite the wraparound dinette
-the aft cabins (we actually only require two cabins total; it could be an aft stateroom)
-the two heads, one of which is large enough to have a separate shower compartment
-the spacious forward cabin with V-berth
-the Cuervo Gold, the Fine Colombian, etc.

We've seen this mainly on Jeanneau and Bavaria yachts between 38' and 42', which is the approximate length range we're looking in (and in case it helps, we'll be in the used market for under ~$75k). I'm wondering on what other sailboats is this layout commonly found?

Thanks!

[apirate]

Some beneteau’s also have this layout. It was a charter boat configuration so keep that in mind when looking at them. Likely to have been ridden pretty hard.

[DDabs]

Check Beneteau and also Moorings/Sunsail, a lot of charter boats in the Caribbean used this layout. What is the Cuervo gold? lol

[Jamme]

Originally Posted by DDabs

What is the Cuervo gold? lol

Isn’t it a song from Steely Dan?

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=eAHQ-9Fniac

[Manateeman]

Hi. If you want to live aboard I suggest you talk to people who have for some time. This is a charter...pack them in...layout. The vee berth forward is ok at anchor, but so far forward the motion at sea...bring a helmet. Big vee berths are a pain to change bedding. Berths that are wide are nice if you’re on your honeymoon but you are at sea.
Check with a boatbuilder about converting the two aft cabins..there may be structural issues.
You might want to sail a traditional non racing offshore yacht or speak with owners about what they think is ideal.
Sea kindly and lightly built are opposites.
Happy trails to you.
Captain Mark and his low rider manatees

[Steely Dancer]

Originally Posted by Jamme

Isn’t it a song from Steely Dan?

Yes, I just created my account on here a day or two ago. Get ready for a lot of Steely Dan references.

And thank you, everyone, for sharing your wisdom.

[Jim Cate]

If you are planning passagemaking, that galley arrangement sucks. A U-shaped one where you can wedge yourself into a corner on either tack is safer and far more comfortable to work in.

Jim

[LittleWing77]

Originally Posted by Jim Cate

If you are planning passagemaking, that galley arrangement sucks. A U-shaped one where you can wedge yourself into a corner on either tack is safer and far more comfortable to work in.

Jim

That's the first thing I thought of myself, Jim. I loathe boats with galley layouts like that and would never go to sea in one! Very dangerous. Only takes one unexpected wave to get launched across an open cabin.

And Steely Dancer? That's why they are hard to find - or more frequently found in former Charter boats (as someone said above - but I can't confirm/deny that, as any charter boat I've been on has had a proper galley...)

Fair winds,
LittleWing77

[Steely Dancer]

OP here—

I want to thank everyone, again, for their responses. While I'm sure everyone's specific preferences and needs tend to dictate what works best for them, it's also very interesting to learn what sort of features make sense more universally.

Our liveaboard period will not be spent in open waters; we'll be moored in a marina with perhaps only the occasional weekend day cruise. This will go on for several months and after that the boat will remain a weekend cruiser/pleasure craft. Perhaps that changes the scope of what would work for us?

Here are my main takeaways from what you've all said, so far:

-The type of layout I posted about is indicative of a charter vessel (no way I would ever have known that without asking! Wow!) and therefore the importance of checking a used boat's history is greater, because it might have added wear and not have been used as gently. Would we go as far as to say this layout is a red flag in the used market?

-The forward-aft galley layout is impractical for nearly every situation except one where the boat is stationary in a marina. I like the versatility and efficiency of a U-shaped galley anyway, but I also like my (architect) wife's point about ease of movement through an open-plan salon (saloon?) and the family-style orientation of the couches to dinette in the plan I posted about above. So, that's something I think/hope we could be flexible on.

-As we don't really expect to be spending too many nights on the open water, the V-berth issue with regard to vertical movement of the boat isn't a huge concern. Someone mentioned the difficulty in changing sheets on a wider berth and, well, my wife and I like each other enough so I think we'd be willing to put up with the extra effort.

[malbert73]

Catalina 42s with 3 cabin layout also have similar design though usually a Pullman berth forward

[Greg Mason]

Well, Steely Dancer, if you want to live aboard, you might consider living like Jimmy Buffet, there won't be much storage below. But hey, nineteen.

[duetto]

Catalina 390 has a 3 cabin layout like you've shown.

[tankersteve]

Originally Posted by malbert73

Catalina 42s with 3 cabin layout also have similar design though usually a Pullman berth forward

Also, the 2-cabin version is pretty highly regarded as a live-aboard, with generous (different) galley layout and much better storage.

Tankersteve

[FionaJC]

I think sets a new trend, I listened to the track while reading the post. Maybe everyone should start with a music video, not sure what Id use for my theme tune.

BTWm I agree with the layout comments, it is a charter layout but if you know that pro's and con's it all helps, whatever floats your ...... . My motorsailor has a wheelhouse / saloon so the galley is just inside from the cockpit.

[taylormobile]

We have a 3-cabin Catalina 42 with pullman berth forward. Love it much and better keel to displacement ratio then most other production boats