Center Cockpit Sailboats and Blue Water Cruising

[sy_gilana]

We Love our CC. Its deep, its comfortable, its nearer the pitch center.
It divides the boat below into private halves. Its on top of the engine, which is not in the saloon. The aft deck is a beach, and we pull the hard dinghy up there with 15hp motor in situ. In a following sea, getting pooped in heavy going, the cockpit is dry. The only thing I do NOT like is the main backstay, knocks my head sometimes.
Look at the Amels...they solve the backstay problem by putting it NEXT to the mizzen...
Also look at our photos to get an idea of life in a CC Ketch...
once again...
Look at the Amel pref the Super Maramu...

[waterworldly]

We love our Irwin, center cockpit ketch, 52'. It has been much discussed here due to our layout and accessories. see: http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...his-47047.html

[gjordan]

It was mentioned here that CC boats dont have bridge decks. Peterson 44s have bridge decks and are a darn fine boat._____Grant.

[Doodles]

Originally Posted by sy_gilana

We Love our CC. Its deep, its comfortable, its nearer the pitch center.
It divides the boat below into private halves. Its on top of the engine, which is not in the saloon. The aft deck is a beach, and we pull the hard dinghy up there with 15hp motor in situ. In a following sea, getting pooped in heavy going, the cockpit is dry. The only thing I do NOT like is the main backstay, knocks my head sometimes.
Look at the Amels...they solve the backstay problem by putting it NEXT to the mizzen...
Also look at our photos to get an idea of life in a CC Ketch...
once again...
Look at the Amel pref the Super Maramu...

The Wauquiez Amphitrite is about the same vintage as our Pretorien. As mentioned the Wauquiezs from that era were extremely well built so I think you probably have found a nice boat.

On the other hand, an Amel has always been one of my dream boats. If you have not seen one yet try to find one and take a look. They have some really neat and unique features and are also very well built.

[gjordan]

There is a Peterson 44 on EBAY right now for a heck of a good price. ____Grant.

[Celestialsailor]

Alas...it's all a compromise isn't it? I have a Hallberg Rassy 35 Rasmus CC. Being the smallest you'll ever see as a CC. There is no connection between the aft and for cabins. It leaves me feeling that I have a 30 footer with a garage in the back. It is wonderful sailing close to the center of effort on the boat for motion. I've yet to test it being dry. I'll will wait for that day to present itself rather than tempt it...

[Doodles]

Originally Posted by Celestialsailor

Alas...it's all a compromise isn't it? I have a Hallberg Rassy 35 Rasmus CC. Being the smallest you'll ever see as a CC. There is no connection between the aft and for cabins. It leaves me feeling that I have a 30 footer with a garage in the back. It is wonderful sailing close to the center of effort on the boat for motion. I've yet to test it being dry. I'll will wait for that day to present itself rather than tempt it...

Not to be picky but the Nor'sea 27 has got you beat by 8 feet.

Nor'Sea 27

[Celestialsailor]

My apologies to you and Lyle Hess

[C4 King Cobra]

My 41 Morgan CC OI Ketch with walk thru design is in MHO a good trade off in both storage, headroom, engine room access, and stability. Heavy slow and stable with a dry cockpit. All my sails are hanked on or slides so I tend to have better upwind performance than most. More work agreed especially in less than favorable seas. She does need 10 plus knots to move her along as the only draw back. Large water and fuel tanks compliment her time on station as well.

[Auspicious]

Originally Posted by Drobert

The only minor drawback I can see with this vessel is that none of them have had lines led back to the cockpit, however the main and gib sheets are close to the helm.

Lines led to the cockpit usually mean green water over the deck ends up ... in the cockpit. Lots of extra friction just makes the choice worse.

Halyards belong at the mast.

YMMV.

[Jim Cate]

Originally Posted by Auspicious

Lines led to the cockpit usually mean green water over the deck ends up ... in the cockpit. Lots of extra friction just makes the choice worse.

Halyards belong at the mast.

YMMV.

I know that this is an unpopular view, but I completely agree!

Cheers,

Jim

[rusky]

Originally Posted by Jim Cate

I know that this is an unpopular view, but I completely agree!

Cheers,

Jim

I agree too that lines are best at the mast. Its always a very stable part of the boat.
I havent read it all but why is this unpopular.

Over the years and the yachts, I rigged and re-rigged and now have slab reefing with a cunningham and this setup and all halyards are at the mast.

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by Jim Cate

I know that this is an unpopular view, but I completely agree!

Cheers,

Jim

Same here. Have chartered boats with all the lines lead to the cockpit and found it a lot more work to hoist and reef. Until I get to old or disabled to leave the cockpit will keep my halyards and reefing lines at the mast.

Skip

[tropicalescape]

Originally Posted by skipmac

Same here. Have chartered boats with all the lines lead to the cockpit and found it a lot more work to hoist and reef. Until I get to old or disabled to leave the cockpit will keep my halyards and reefing lines at the mast.

Skip

Me too...DVC

[kbudd]

We have a center cockpit Gulfstar ketch. We really like the layout for many reasons although as with any design there are advantages and disadvantages. The advantages are the large aft cabin allows you to get away from the kids who sleep in the front of the boat. The center cockpit is out of the spray and offers good visibility. There is a large engine room under the cockpit. The disadvantages are the cockpit is fairly small and the total interior room is less than a comparable sized aft cockpit. We do have a complete canvas enclosure for the cockpit (I will try and attach a pic) that almost turns it into a pilothouse and makes it a very warm dry place to spend watches. I never want to do long passages in an open cockpit again.