2 heads better than 1?

Peggie Hall HeadMistress · Mar 1, 2009

2 Heads make a lot of sense if...

You have overnight guests aboard, especially once you get a little older. It's not just about how many a boat can supposedly sleep, but how many people would have to share the same bathroom. When I was in my 20s, we'd put 10 people into a winter cottage with one bath at the ski resort...today you couldn't pay me to do that!

Two heads also make life easier for families with a couple of kids.

There are both advantages and disadvantages to having a single head located aft in the cabin. That is a more convenient location for the "day" head, but not always if the only sleeping quarters are the v-berth. Most houses today now have an "en suite" bathroom in the master 'cuz people want the privacy and convenience it provides...same is true for most people who buy bigger boats these days. Remember, today's typical big boat buyer doesn't really want a boat, he wants a floating condo.

But, it's whatever floats YOUR boat...so if you want to remove the toilet and use the second head for storage, that's fine...just don't do anything that would make it difficult if not impossible to turn it back into a head again 'cuz that would impact the resale value.

Don S/V ILLusion · Mar 1, 2009

Flexibility! Having two is an advantage to us in that the fwd head is usually relegated to the wet locker/ice maker location when it's just the two of us. With company, they have their own head. It's not unlike having a house with only one bathroom that doesn't work.

Mike B · Mar 1, 2009

We now have 2 heads and it was a major factor in our decision as to which model to buy. While it's generally just my wife and I on board we ocassionaly have a daughter that sails with us. We also would like to bring guests along and as Peggy stated age does makes a difference. We like our privacy as do our friends. The quickest way to put a damper on a relaxing trip is to have to deal with a head that's situated right next to living quarters. Nothing like being able to use the "Thunder Mug" out of earshot of company.

higgs · Mar 1, 2009

I think if you are cruising for just a couple of weeks - one couple - one head will suffice, though, like your home, 2 is always nice. It also depends on the type of cruising you are doing. If you are going to be overnighting mostly in marinas, then one head is plenty even for two couples. I did a BVI week last year with two couples and one head where we were not ever at a dock and the one head worked fine.

Scott T-Bird · Mar 1, 2009

The designers will respond to what the market prefers.

It seems that the 37' - 38' length is about the break point between a boat that is built for just one couple and a boat that is built for a couple plus occasional (or frequent) guests. That would usually mean two heads are better than one!

From our standpoint ... our move-up boat will need to accommodate an assortment of adult children. The preference seems to be obvious.

I do agree with you that it is logical to have one at the base of the companionway. I think I would prefer to have it that way, rather than a dedicated head for the 'master suite'. I have seen them with dual openings from the salon and the aft cabin which could work if designed well.

Rick D · Mar 1, 2009

With Don on This

We didn't use the forward head much except when we had guests, but when our daughter is with us, it's very handy as when I have female crew on overnight races. Otherwise, it makes a good place to shower and store cockpit cushions. You give up some cabin space tho, but at 40 plus, it's not a big deal. What is more annoying to me is to give up space for an enclosed shower as a trade off to hanging lockers. That's a trade I would not want to make.

Stu Jackson · Mar 1, 2009

One is easier to maintain

but like real estate, it's location, location, location. Our C34 has a midships head, so it's not in anybody's nose when they're sleeping. i would dislike a forward head when I'm sleeping in the V berth. Our aft cabin for guests is on the other side of the boat, so we don't interrupt them when using the head. I've always felt two is more of a waste of space until you get up into much larger boats, beyond say 42 feet. I think two heads on the C42 is overkill. Much better use could be made of the space for storage. Just my opinion, and I ain't gettin' any younger either. Perhaps some of it has to do with where you sail, too. If the weathers cruddy a lot and you spend more time down below, maybe. But where we sail, my morning request has always been, "Hey, Stu, time for an anchor check!?!?" so I hop out and walk up forward, because for some it's a privacy issue. Two heads wouldn't make ANY difference in that regard.

Phantomsailor · Mar 1, 2009

My wife & I liveaboard a C-42. We like having two heads... the forward head is hers, and the aft head is mine. Just like having a dual sink vanity in your home, having 2 heads does the same thing.

When we have guests, they usually bunk in the aft cabin, and there is a door from the aft cabin into the aft head so our guests don't have to go into the saloon to access the head. No need to get dressed to go the head aboard our C-42.

At sea, the forward head faces the starboard side of the boat making that head the preferred head when on starboard tack. The aft head faces to port making the aft head the preferred head on port tack. No one likes being pitched out of a head compartment with their pants down... LOL

I've done the Pacific Cup and a BaHa Ha Ha on C-42s. With 6 guys and 2 couples respectively, 2 heads is the only way to go.

Ron20324 · Mar 1, 2009

One point not mentioned yet is if you have a number of people aboard: if you only have one head and it breaks down you may have a mutiny on your hands utill you fix it- if you can. Two heads give you backup possibilities.

Benny · Mar 1, 2009

I'm afraid all the good reasons that have been cited will just create a want for some of 25' to 32' boaters to stuff a 2nd head into their vessels.

Broke sailor SV Marcell · Mar 2, 2009

I agree with Phantom Sailor. On an offshore passage with two heads one will be a favorite over the other depending on your tack.

William12213 · Mar 2, 2009

I think the biggest reason is because we can! Sure we could "get by" with only one but if I can get two it sure would be nice when we have guests. I guess it is the same reason a lot of people have 5 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms in a house for two people.

Snotter · Mar 2, 2009

My Morgan 41 OI has 2 heads. I've only had the boat since July of last year. At first I didn't think I would value a 2nd head over storage space. I've changed my tune now that I have one. It is absolutely opulent to be able to have guests aboard and be able to retire to the aft cabin, close the passage-way door and be alone while preparing for bed. When I go sailing, the aft head is a perfect spot to store the bumpers and other gear.

sailingdog · Mar 2, 2009

Ron's point about redundancy is probably the most important...

If the head ain't working, the admiral won't be happy. If the admiral ain't happy, ain't nobody gonna be.

ITMaster · Mar 2, 2009

Our 387, like most of them has one. We bought the boat because there are two of us and for two people, it is very spacious. We like the extra space that is provided. We have looked at the 380's and 390's and prefer the extra storage we have in lieu of the vanity sink in the forward V-berth.

When in the very rare events we have guests aboard, we all get along just fine with what we have available. If we do, we rarely have more than an extra two adults.

I'll be the exception to the post and say that we have just what we want and think that we need for our situation.

I guess that if we had planned on buying a boat for other people, then we may have considered a second head.

But then, if I had planned on that, then I would need at least three or possibly four heads, since I would want to have more than just one couple aboard; I would want to be able to have at least four couples if not more. However, the reality is that we bought our boat for ourselves just like we did our house since for the most part I am not into making high dollar purchases for others than my significant other (Admiral)

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