Yacht type choice - Cultural differences?

[Lizzy Belle]

Originally Posted by Hudson Force

By example, the photo shown above would not be called the galley in the US.

Nor anywhere else

I responded to the galley and then said "what I also don't understand" and posted the ... whatever you call that "seating arrangement".

Since the long galley doesn't leave much room for "a settee and party area", neither does this ...

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by Hudson Force

So much of what we see discussed here is often a case of different connotations of words and not a cultural difference.

By example, the photo shown above would not be called the galley in the US where the galley identifies where food is prepared and the location of the oven, range, refrigerator, freezer, sink and counter top. This dining area with the table would not be considered the galley.

Other terms that are often used quite differently in the US include yacht and captain. These differences are in the use of language and not necessarily in culture.

A lot of the Brit boats had these style of galley/diners.. others an L shaped dining area opposite the galley.. quite a few builders.. Westerly for example gave one a choice off 2 or 3 different layout for the same model.. Centaurs, Longbows, Berwicks etc..
I much prefer the long galley.. small boats <32ft are not exactly Disco areas.. but each to their own..

[Polux]

Originally Posted by Lizzy Belle

I have seen those a few times, but nearly all boats I've ever seen have a L or U shaped galley. Not sure what % of boats have a straight one, but it can't be that many?...

Go with your wife to a boat show that has the same model (till 42ft) with two different galleys and she will tell you why. The straight galley has much more space in a much more functional way and as most boats, even offshore ones, use the galley more times at anchor or at a marina then while sailing upwind that explains why many modern boats (till 43ft) have have a straight one.

After 43/45ft most boats have the interior space needed not to have to maximize galley space that way.

A straight one can have a long bar along it or you can mount a dynema line from side to side and the one that is cooking can clip itself to it, if on the wrong tack and upwind. Also many modern cruisers sail with much less heel than older boats.

I am not saying that I prefer it (even if my wife does) just explaining it why it is the more used now.

This is a modern Contest 42CS, certainly a bluewater boat:


This is a Allures 45, a Voyage boat:

A mass production maim market boat, the Dufour 412:

The Oceanis 38:

[Sailing55]

Originally Posted by Lizzy Belle

Nor anywhere else

I responded to the galley and then said "what I also don't understand" and posted the ... whatever you call that "seating arrangement".

Since the long galley doesn't leave much room for "a settee and party area", neither does this ...

"Dinette" is the US term

[Lizzy Belle]

Originally Posted by Polux

Go with your wife to a boat show that has the same model (till 42ft) with two different galleys and she will tell you why.

I'm a 'she' and I don't get it Wouldn't be my choice.

Originally Posted by morven55

"Dinette" is the US term

Haha, same in Dutch. Doh

[Polux]

Originally Posted by Lizzy Belle

I'm a 'she' and I don't get it Wouldn't be my choice....

Nice to have more women around but the world is upside down, you are a woman and don't understand while Boatman understands the advantages of a bigger galley on a relatively small boat. I bet he does the cooking on the boat

[Island Time O25]

Originally Posted by boatman61

Awwww... don't you call them 'Freedom Fries' anymore..

What freedom?

[Sailing55]

Originally Posted by Polux

Nice to have more women around but the world is upside down, you are a woman and don't understand while Boatman understands the advantages of a bigger galley on a relatively small boat. I bet he does the cooking on the boat

Of course he does the cooking...no self respecting woman would be caught dead with him! LOL! [this is meant to be funny, as Boatman will appreciate it if he reads it]

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by Tayana42

Oh yes, I am the one American who prefers Bach over Jason Bieber.


S/V B'Shert

Make that two Americans. I love to listen to the Brandenburg Concertos when working on my engine. Kind of a tradition with me. Cheers me up when I'm covered with oil and grease, bleeding from my knuckles and sweat pouring into my eyes. Also the tempo makes me work faster.

By the way, that's Justin not Jason (but I'll bet you said Jason on purpose).


The only reason I know that is because I was in Miami on business when he got busted for racing and wrecking his fancy sports car and was all over the local news.

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by Polux

Nice to have more women around but the world is upside down, you are a woman and don't understand while Boatman understands the advantages of a bigger galley on a relatively small boat. I bet he does the cooking on the boat

Good Cuisine needs elbow room.. those silly little U galleys are only good for student cooking.. Open tin, pour into pan, heat and serve..

[Hudson Force]

I can see how the galley space would be a choice made differently for some. We prepare simple meals with the least time spent in the galley. As evidence of this, "baking" is not familiar to us. Although we have lived aboard our current boat for 31 years, we have never used the oven, but simply use the space to store some sauce pans.

We feel that places where we spend little time, such as the head and the galley should occupy less of our cabin space.

I've seen "BYOB" on invitations. I suppose that if we were entertaining guests aboard that would be "bring your own bread" or have a cracker!

[barnakiel]

Only an "American" can think that there is any such thing as a "European" culture, style or taste. I know many people out there think Romania is a town in Africa and France is where the best US cheese comes from ...

I am not sure there is such a thing as an "American" culture either. People from Cal are so different from people from North Carolina, they seem to sail different boats too.

There is no such thing as European culture. Nor European cuisine, nor European kitchen, ooooppppssss, galley!

b.

[Sailing55]

Originally Posted by barnakiel

Only an "American" can think that there is any such thing as a "European" culture, style or taste. I know many people out there think Romania is a town in Africa and France is where the best US cheese comes from ...

I am not sure there is such a thing as an "American" culture either. People from Cal are so different from people from North Carolina, they seem to sail different boats too.

There is no such thing as European culture. Nor European cuisine, nor European kitchen, ooooppppssss, galley!

b.

Honestly? You do not believe that there are differences in taste or style? Why are certain countries [cultures] considered to be leaders in clothing, automobile, boat "style" and as a result are copied or used as a basis for development?

Ferrari? Jaguar? Messerschmit? Mitsubshi? Rolling Stones? Bach?

I do agree somewhat the Americans do not have much of a culture being such a new country...more of a blend of many cultures and styles.

[Lizzy Belle]

Originally Posted by morven55

Honestly? You do not believe that there are differences in taste or style? Why are certain countries [cultures] considered to be leaders in clothing, automobile, boat "style" and as a result are copied or used as a basis for development?

Of course there are differences ... that is kind of the point.

Americans say "Europeans" as if they're talking about people from one country or, if you will, "The United States of Europe".
Depending on your definition of Europe, it's 40-something to 50-something countries (not all actually located in Europe) -- that in many case have very little in common.

So I agree with barnakiel completely

If we're going to compare "European" culture, please compare it to the Americas, not America ...

(I find it a little offensive, to be honest, but I have somewhat resigned to the fact that a lot of people from across the pond (not just Americans) just don't understand how many totally different counties they're lumping together, stripping them of pretty much *everything* that makes that country what it is and their peoples of who they are in a cultural / historical sense ...).

[s/v Jedi]

I agree with boatman that a straight galley works much better on smaller boats, while bigger ones have L-shaped ones with the long side at least as long as the straight galley in the smaller boats. We have a beam of 16' and I believe it is the minimum for an effective L-shaped galley with enough room opposite for a navstation, head, cabin, etc. The main salon is forward of the galley in those cases.

I like the dinette when it is higher up in a deckhouse with a view around the boat.

The picture of the Contest above shows many good and some not so good things. I like the straight sofa, where one can sleep, as compared to the curved ones that are awful in the next picture. I also like the floor in the Contest and may copy that but look at the sharp corners in the countertop at the sides of the stove... those will hurt you one day! The other picture with the curved sofa... love those drawer type fridge freezers!