What are the disadvantages to a center cockpit sailboat in the 30-36 foot range? I see so few of them around. The advantages are obvious in the below deck space.
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center cockpit
one disadvantage is lack of visibility of the leech of the sail and the telltales; a big disadvantage.
one disadvantage is lack of visibility of the leech of the sail and the telltales; a big disadvantage.
Appearance
From someone (me) who actually likes CC boats, in the size range you mentioned, they are too small to look good. Check out a Hylas 46 or Passport 47 to mention two for comparison. To have some eye appeal, they have to be much longer than 36 feet to pass the appearance test. Also, typically, CC boats, particularly small ones, have relatively small cockpits and that's where you'll spend most of your time. One more thing to consider is that the salon (the place you spend most of the time you're not in the cockpit) is comparatively smaller to accommodate the larger aft space. Don Illusion H 40.5
From someone (me) who actually likes CC boats, in the size range you mentioned, they are too small to look good. Check out a Hylas 46 or Passport 47 to mention two for comparison. To have some eye appeal, they have to be much longer than 36 feet to pass the appearance test. Also, typically, CC boats, particularly small ones, have relatively small cockpits and that's where you'll spend most of your time. One more thing to consider is that the salon (the place you spend most of the time you're not in the cockpit) is comparatively smaller to accommodate the larger aft space. Don Illusion H 40.5
Also
You're sitting further forward-closer to the bow and have a better chance of getting splashed with spray. Almost every CC you see has a dodger.
You're sitting further forward-closer to the bow and have a better chance of getting splashed with spray. Almost every CC you see has a dodger.
CC's
As the owner of a 42 ft. CC (Pearson 422, which I love), I have to agree with Don that the smaller ones look a bit ugly. What you gain is a large aft cabin, but at the expense of storage (lazarette, lockers). The latest Sail magazine (Feb. 05) has a good article comparing center and aft cockpit designs.
As the owner of a 42 ft. CC (Pearson 422, which I love), I have to agree with Don that the smaller ones look a bit ugly. What you gain is a large aft cabin, but at the expense of storage (lazarette, lockers). The latest Sail magazine (Feb. 05) has a good article comparing center and aft cockpit designs.
Don (Off topic)....
Hi Don, Pic is in Bristol Harbor. There were a lot of boats in the background - Marge used PhotoShop to "remove" them. She then used Photoshop to turn it into a "impressionist watercolor", printed it 27" wide, framed it, and gave it to me for a birthday present. Looks great on the wall. Shrink wrap went well. My buddy bought his 422 to the yard next door (you know which one!) and we did them both. Took one day each. I haven't been down since the big snow to check things out.
Hi Don, Pic is in Bristol Harbor. There were a lot of boats in the background - Marge used PhotoShop to "remove" them. She then used Photoshop to turn it into a "impressionist watercolor", printed it 27" wide, framed it, and gave it to me for a birthday present. Looks great on the wall. Shrink wrap went well. My buddy bought his 422 to the yard next door (you know which one!) and we did them both. Took one day each. I haven't been down since the big snow to check things out.
Derek
g'ud day mate Let me know where to look in the yard and I'll check the cover if you want- I stayed in this winter and am there often doing work on the boat (new companionway doors, elec head, inverter install, etc.). One power boat lost the shrink wrap in the storm last weekend. Send me your email so we don't disturb the folks here. Don K1vsk@cox.net
g'ud day mate Let me know where to look in the yard and I'll check the cover if you want- I stayed in this winter and am there often doing work on the boat (new companionway doors, elec head, inverter install, etc.). One power boat lost the shrink wrap in the storm last weekend. Send me your email so we don't disturb the folks here. Don K1vsk@cox.net
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