All, I would be interested in some discussion of the relative attributes of center vs aft cockpits. I have only sailed aft cockpits put center one's interest me. I like the idea of a big bedroom. Kinda' like home and like the ships of old with the master's cabin aft. The stern deck looks like a great place to store things, like a dinghy. It seems like the area in front of an aft cockpit is wasted space. Center also places you near the action. Maybe too near. Since the vast majority of boats are aft cockpit there must be a reason. Maybe I will charter a center cockpit this next spring and answer the question myself. ct
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Dave
Center vs. Aft
I own a 36CC and it is the best boat for us. Here are some of my thoughts: Aft cockpits are more esthetically pleasing to the purists (and I agree wholeheartedly). Since you are sitting closer to the keel (fulcrum), you don't travel so far for the same amount of heeling. There tends to be quite a bit more storage space (read deep lockers) on the aft cockpit. Additionally, for the same length boat, you have more boat breaking down the waves so your ride isn't quite so much up/down (less pitching). So why did I buy the center cockpit? The interior space. We wanted a boat in the 36 ft range that could handle the five of us. We put our three daughters (16,13, and 10) in the aft cabin where they fit quite well, my wife and I take the v-berth, and the salon is free of sleeping children and sleeping bags when we wake and want coffee in the morning. There is no 'MRI' type feeling in any of the sleeping areas as you often get in the aft cabin on the aft cockpit. The galley is incredible and that was very important to my wife. I'm sure you can tell we are cruisers not racers, though the perfomance isn't too bad.
I own a 36CC and it is the best boat for us. Here are some of my thoughts: Aft cockpits are more esthetically pleasing to the purists (and I agree wholeheartedly). Since you are sitting closer to the keel (fulcrum), you don't travel so far for the same amount of heeling. There tends to be quite a bit more storage space (read deep lockers) on the aft cockpit. Additionally, for the same length boat, you have more boat breaking down the waves so your ride isn't quite so much up/down (less pitching). So why did I buy the center cockpit? The interior space. We wanted a boat in the 36 ft range that could handle the five of us. We put our three daughters (16,13, and 10) in the aft cabin where they fit quite well, my wife and I take the v-berth, and the salon is free of sleeping children and sleeping bags when we wake and want coffee in the morning. There is no 'MRI' type feeling in any of the sleeping areas as you often get in the aft cabin on the aft cockpit. The galley is incredible and that was very important to my wife. I'm sure you can tell we are cruisers not racers, though the perfomance isn't too bad.
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Trevor
Never thought I'd go from aft to center
I have sailed and owned several aft cockpit boats, and like Dave said above, I like the looks of most aft cockpit sailboats better. However, aesthetics aside, who hasn't been wowed by a huge aft stateroom on a CC boat (i.e. Hunter 420 or 450)? I did have the chance to sea trial a CC sailboat I will be purchasing soon, and found the sailing position interesting. The 43' boat in question didn't seem that large from the helm station, since the bow pulpit isn't that far away. However, I wonder how backing into a slip is going to be with all that boat behind me. The end boom mainsail sheeting is sure nice; just turn around and the traveller is right there. Time will tell if I end up liking the center cockpit better, but it sure seems like it will feel secure in a following sea. And you're right, I am tickled by the aft stateroom setup! Ah variety, the spice of life! Trevor
I have sailed and owned several aft cockpit boats, and like Dave said above, I like the looks of most aft cockpit sailboats better. However, aesthetics aside, who hasn't been wowed by a huge aft stateroom on a CC boat (i.e. Hunter 420 or 450)? I did have the chance to sea trial a CC sailboat I will be purchasing soon, and found the sailing position interesting. The 43' boat in question didn't seem that large from the helm station, since the bow pulpit isn't that far away. However, I wonder how backing into a slip is going to be with all that boat behind me. The end boom mainsail sheeting is sure nice; just turn around and the traveller is right there. Time will tell if I end up liking the center cockpit better, but it sure seems like it will feel secure in a following sea. And you're right, I am tickled by the aft stateroom setup! Ah variety, the spice of life! Trevor
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Peter Binda
Center or Aft
I owned a Beneteau 36 center cockpit, the below deck space is great, the cockpit was small, the helm in the center made for a great view, hydraulic steering was not good (used auto pilot alot), the main was small. The 36 is priced right a 44 is twice the price. I think a center cockpit needs to be 50 ft plus. Now I own a Beneteau 473 (a big change)huge cockpit, plenty of room below, never thought I would like the aft cockpit but it's great. good luck in making your decision. Peter
I owned a Beneteau 36 center cockpit, the below deck space is great, the cockpit was small, the helm in the center made for a great view, hydraulic steering was not good (used auto pilot alot), the main was small. The 36 is priced right a 44 is twice the price. I think a center cockpit needs to be 50 ft plus. Now I own a Beneteau 473 (a big change)huge cockpit, plenty of room below, never thought I would like the aft cockpit but it's great. good luck in making your decision. Peter
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Len Fagan
Center Cockpit
I own a P450 center cockpit and find that it allows a much greater usable space, the stern area is great for lounging and the queen berth in the large cabin is great. On a cruising boat in the mid 40 feet or greater I would not consider any other design. Many larger boats come as center cockpit. 42 to 45 is the low end of practicle, although several designs have been offered in the mid thirties. The Hunter design is high and dry plus offers great visibility. I final point is that on boats over 40 feet a vast majority are not aft cockpit. Look at builders such as Hylas,Tayana, Oyster, Hallberg Rassy, Moody,Taswell,the new Island Packet 480 and the old Morgan OI series and Gulfstar plus many more. All center cockpit over 40+ feet. Len Fagan "Tale Winds"
I own a P450 center cockpit and find that it allows a much greater usable space, the stern area is great for lounging and the queen berth in the large cabin is great. On a cruising boat in the mid 40 feet or greater I would not consider any other design. Many larger boats come as center cockpit. 42 to 45 is the low end of practicle, although several designs have been offered in the mid thirties. The Hunter design is high and dry plus offers great visibility. I final point is that on boats over 40 feet a vast majority are not aft cockpit. Look at builders such as Hylas,Tayana, Oyster, Hallberg Rassy, Moody,Taswell,the new Island Packet 480 and the old Morgan OI series and Gulfstar plus many more. All center cockpit over 40+ feet. Len Fagan "Tale Winds"
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Peter J. Brennan
Owned a couple
of center cockpit boats. The first was quite small, a Dawson 26. But even in that little boat the centare cockpiiot and aft cabin gacve a degree of privacy just not attainable on an aft cockpit. There was no pass thruogh from forward to aft so the cockpit was set down in the boat wher it was secure and comfortable. Then we moved to an O'Day 37 CC, which looks like a grown-up Dawson. The boat is very good looking, again because the cockpit is down in the boat, not perched on top. To go from one cabin to the other you must go outside and through the cocpuit. Makes for a nice big engine room, though, and an aesthetically pleasing boat. To have a good looking bozat with inside access to the cabins you really need to have one gretar than about 45 feet. Otherwise it looks like an elephant with a howdah on top. Privacy and order are the great advantages. I hate people sleeping in the living room, ashore or afloat. All the cabins close off and people can lounge and congregate in the saloon while others sleep or whatever in the forward and aft staterooms with ensuite heads.
of center cockpit boats. The first was quite small, a Dawson 26. But even in that little boat the centare cockpiiot and aft cabin gacve a degree of privacy just not attainable on an aft cockpit. There was no pass thruogh from forward to aft so the cockpit was set down in the boat wher it was secure and comfortable. Then we moved to an O'Day 37 CC, which looks like a grown-up Dawson. The boat is very good looking, again because the cockpit is down in the boat, not perched on top. To go from one cabin to the other you must go outside and through the cocpuit. Makes for a nice big engine room, though, and an aesthetically pleasing boat. To have a good looking bozat with inside access to the cabins you really need to have one gretar than about 45 feet. Otherwise it looks like an elephant with a howdah on top. Privacy and order are the great advantages. I hate people sleeping in the living room, ashore or afloat. All the cabins close off and people can lounge and congregate in the saloon while others sleep or whatever in the forward and aft staterooms with ensuite heads.
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Walt Allensworth
I Chartered a Moorings 402CC ......
I Chartered a Moorings 402CC for two weeks (out of Tortola) to answer this very question. The space in the aft cabin was nice. BUT - I would not say that it was WAY nicer than an aft-cockpit design with a low-roof in the aft cabin. It kinda depends on how much time you plan on spending below decks and in-cabin. In the islands the cabin was the last place I was gonna hang-out, so the extra head-room was pretty-much lost on me. You don't need much headroom to sleep! I could see it being more important in a different setting. If you're living on the boat, or sail where it rains alot, or in colder-weather, a nice big aft-cabin would probably move up the list of importance.
I Chartered a Moorings 402CC for two weeks (out of Tortola) to answer this very question. The space in the aft cabin was nice. BUT - I would not say that it was WAY nicer than an aft-cockpit design with a low-roof in the aft cabin. It kinda depends on how much time you plan on spending below decks and in-cabin. In the islands the cabin was the last place I was gonna hang-out, so the extra head-room was pretty-much lost on me. You don't need much headroom to sleep! I could see it being more important in a different setting. If you're living on the boat, or sail where it rains alot, or in colder-weather, a nice big aft-cabin would probably move up the list of importance.
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Steve
Several Models
Corky - My wife and I have chartered several CC models from different companies in the Caribbean and FL. We've sailed a Moorings 402CC, Caliber 47LRC, Hylas 46, and Hunter 420. We currently own a H380 (AC). We really do prefer the roominess of a Center Cockpit boat. IMHO, the ventilation is better in the aft stateroom of a CC boat. You do get a slightly smaller salon although all of them were very comfortable. You are higher so heel is more pronounced, but you are closer to the center of the hull so pitch is less pronounced. All of them had dodgers, so we rarely got wet. I've not had any problems docking any of them. It is all a matter of choices, so evaluate what you want and then go for what you can afford. Fair winds, Steve S/V Options
Corky - My wife and I have chartered several CC models from different companies in the Caribbean and FL. We've sailed a Moorings 402CC, Caliber 47LRC, Hylas 46, and Hunter 420. We currently own a H380 (AC). We really do prefer the roominess of a Center Cockpit boat. IMHO, the ventilation is better in the aft stateroom of a CC boat. You do get a slightly smaller salon although all of them were very comfortable. You are higher so heel is more pronounced, but you are closer to the center of the hull so pitch is less pronounced. All of them had dodgers, so we rarely got wet. I've not had any problems docking any of them. It is all a matter of choices, so evaluate what you want and then go for what you can afford. Fair winds, Steve S/V Options
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