Cockpits with partly-open transoms

[steve_in_Lex]

Hi all. Old schooler here -- I have a '78 Pearson 35 with a traditional cockpit. I'm considering more modern 30-35 footers, e.g. Catalinas, and most of them have an opening in the transom -- not a full open transom but enough that shoes, cameras, not to mention small children might slip through and into the drink. (Okay, the small kids would be tied in.)

I understand that the transom slots are great for coming onboard, not to mention drainage, but is the risk of something slipping out while underway a realistic concern? Is there a common way to prevent this, e.g. a netting or removable panel? Or is this much ado about nothing?

Thanks,

Steve

 

[Rick D]

Open Transoms

Since I sail with a small dog and also would get some splashes on my ankles, I made a plexiglass panel that could be attached to the swim ladder with quick-connect clamps. It's been on there for 14 years without a problem. It is quickly removable. I'm sure a fast connect/disconnect method could be conjured up for a design without a swim ladder there.

I can't find a photo since most of them are taken when the boat is at a mooring and the ladder is down and the panel removed.

 

[JK_Boston_Catalina310]

We have a 2001 Catalina 310 with the open transom. We love it. We see our friends struggle with getting in and out of the dinghy while we just walk off the back and into the inflatable. The ladder has 3 or 4 rungs into the water so getting out after a swim is very easy (and you can shower off the salt water right there). We also stern in at the dock and have the ladder on removable pins so we just remove the ladder and come in and out through the transom so you don't need a step.

We have had the boat for 3 years now and have not had anything (knock on wood) wash out. There is a removable panel but we only use it in the worst conditions. We haven't really been popped in this boat. We have had some waves crash but between the higher freeboard and the dodger, most got directed around the cockpit. The couple of times we got a good amount of water in the cockpit, it drained right out thanks to the open transom.

To us this feature is a plus, not a negative. Our friends that have traditional C30s are jealous of the open transom and wish they had it.

Good luck and fair winds,

Jesse

 

[JK_Boston_Catalina310]

Here is a photo to what it looks like on the catalinas. http://forums.sbo.sailboatowners.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=64147&d=1368196416

The one in the photo is clear while most are white star board.

 

[Stan Breaux]

I have a 1996 Catalina 36 MKII.

It has an opening in the middle of the transom with a small swim platform on the back.

I love it.

It is nice, easy access for getting into the dinghy.

The transom ladder folds up to block the opening, and then the captain's seat also blocks the opening, making it virtually impossible for a person to go overboard through it.

For very small objects, there is also a small vertical piece of plastic that fits into the bottom part of the opening, allowing water to run out through a 1-2 inch gap, but keeping things like sliding sunscreen bottles on board.

 

[Capt Gary175]

The issue of drainage is an important consideration. Although different from what you are describing, I did the Newport - Bermuda race and return trip in 2012 in a 38 ft Aerodyne with an open transom. On the return trip, we were taking breaking waves into the cockpit (hopefully not anything you will ever experience) for over 12 hours. The open transom concept proved its worth. The only thing I think we lost overboard was my water bottle that was clipped onto a lifeline, but was torn free. I think a removable panel would be a great idea to prevent lost objects in normal sailing conditions. If you ever get into a situation where you need the drainage, you will know it, and will most likely have cleared the cockpit of any loose items before it got to that point. I recently purchased a Pearson 39-2 with a traditional cockpit, but only plan on coastal cruising where I can pick a favorable weather window.

 

[tkanzler]

My Hunter 340 had an open transom, and I loved it. The helm seat folded over to expand the swim platform and make for very easy access, and the opening when closed was relatively small, but for water drainage purposes, it was huge. I made a screen that I could snap in place, mainly because I had a full enclosure for it, and needed the bug screen there (didn't want to block the air flow, either).

I think I only once, ever, almost lost something through that opening, but that could be solved with a simple net on snaps, or something along those lines. I think it was too small for a child to get through unless they really tried hard, and was pretty tiny to start with, and with me at the helm I just can't see it happening.

My apologies to whomever owns these boats, but they look exactly like mine (well, the one on the right, with the FRP arch), and I don't have pictures of mine on this computer.

 

[Gunni]

That open transom, and the related "sugar scoop" access is one of the single-most important items on any boat I would own. Easy access to and from the boat from the water, there is no danger of clogged cockpit scuppers.

If you note on the attached photo there is a panel in the walk-thru with the Beneteau "B" logo, that is a actually a drop seat that can be raised to close off the cockpit but still allow boarding waves to drain the cockpit.

I rarely even clip the safety line that you see in place, or raise the cockpit seat. I look at the complex hinged 'tail-gates' that are all the rage on the latest boats and just shake my head.

 

[Sailm8]

On my open transom the swim ladder folds up against the helmsmans seat acting like a blocker. I keep a bucket and my 2 gal gas can for the dink under the seat. Never have come close to loosing them.

 

[steve_in_Lex]

Thanks everyone for your comments - they're really helpful.

Steve