I have been looking at various boats,but I am currently thinking about purchasing an Oday 32 centercockpit sloop on Ebay. It has some great options like roller furler main sail, 2 electric heads, diesel with sealed cooling loop... Im not sure about the center cockpit thing. I am interested in experinced sailors opinions about center cockpits. THE BOOK
Considering purchasing centercockpit
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An article
I occassionally guest on a Morgan46 center cockpit; the skipper, who is otherwise very traditional, likes it. What I wanted to say was that there was an article in a cruising magazine last year about a writer who decided to put his opinions aside and visit some Caribbean ports to see what was popular for cruising. He was a bit shocked to find the overwhelming majority of boats with 'yachties' (not charters, etc.) was center cockpit. My guess is it has alot to do with the large aft cabin and protected cockpit.
I occassionally guest on a Morgan46 center cockpit; the skipper, who is otherwise very traditional, likes it. What I wanted to say was that there was an article in a cruising magazine last year about a writer who decided to put his opinions aside and visit some Caribbean ports to see what was popular for cruising. He was a bit shocked to find the overwhelming majority of boats with 'yachties' (not charters, etc.) was center cockpit. My guess is it has alot to do with the large aft cabin and protected cockpit.
perhaps too small...
I have looked at a variety of centre cockpits before buying my current boat(not a centre cockpit!). The main advantage of a cc is the relatively large aft cabin. I found that there is a minumum size though, below which a cc becomes impractical, especially if you are tall (say 6ft or more). You'll find that virtually every cc smaller than say 38ft will have a very tight passageway to the aft cabin -bad news if you are tall or somewhat claustrophobic. Ditto the galley area, which is often partially in that passageway, leaving plenty of opportunity to bang your head. Smaller cc's often also have a much steeper companionway, which tends to put off the 'lady of the house'. Also, check out the cockpit size: cc cockpits are often a lot smaller than those of their aft-cockpit cousins. It depends of course on your intended usage if that would be an issue. Finally, because the companionway is placed further forward, the cabin settees generally are placed f'ward of maximum beam, making the living space also a bit cramped compared to similar aft-cockpit boats. Once you move up to 40 or 42 ft, though, all this doesn't really apply any more and there are clear advantages. If you plan to spend days or weeks away the large aft cabin would be great!
I have looked at a variety of centre cockpits before buying my current boat(not a centre cockpit!). The main advantage of a cc is the relatively large aft cabin. I found that there is a minumum size though, below which a cc becomes impractical, especially if you are tall (say 6ft or more). You'll find that virtually every cc smaller than say 38ft will have a very tight passageway to the aft cabin -bad news if you are tall or somewhat claustrophobic. Ditto the galley area, which is often partially in that passageway, leaving plenty of opportunity to bang your head. Smaller cc's often also have a much steeper companionway, which tends to put off the 'lady of the house'. Also, check out the cockpit size: cc cockpits are often a lot smaller than those of their aft-cockpit cousins. It depends of course on your intended usage if that would be an issue. Finally, because the companionway is placed further forward, the cabin settees generally are placed f'ward of maximum beam, making the living space also a bit cramped compared to similar aft-cockpit boats. Once you move up to 40 or 42 ft, though, all this doesn't really apply any more and there are clear advantages. If you plan to spend days or weeks away the large aft cabin would be great!
It is w-a-y too small to be a sailboat...
Once centercockpit layouts became popular, builders tried to ratchet down the hull size while maintaining the 'advantages' of such a layout. By both traditional & contemporary standards, silly designs like the Irwin 32.5 and S2 30 were put in the market because, back then just like today, the dirty little truth is that many sailboats are used more as condos than for routinely sailing some distance under sail. If that's your own intention, which is certainly a reasonable choice, then look at the ergonomics of the layout as Edward is suggesting and don't worry about it being a condo more than a sailboat. OTOH if you are hoping to use the boat as a boat, you'll find this choice is loaded with compromises: wetter cockpit (closer to the bow wave), cramped accommodations with awkward arrangements for use underway, high CG, high CE, higher elevation for the crew in the cockpit with increased tendency for motion sickness (boats roll many more degrees than they pitch, and the acceleration forces of that higher arc will be noticeable relative to a lower, aft cockpit), poor cockpit locker storage (which already is in short supply on a smaller boat), and so on. The conventional 'Euro Quarter Cabin' layout is far more functional and works well down to ~32'/9.5M. Look e.g. at the layouts of a H-R 31 or Najad 330 to see what I mean. There are some wonderful older Contests with this option, as well. A Moody 31 is another great example, and very functional from the marina berth to offshore. Lots of choices without going 'up'. BTW the trend I see is that most boat builders have moved away from the c/c layout except in the big hulls, and the quarter aft cabin is now and has been the standard for some time, not that there aren't exceptions to that. Jack
Once centercockpit layouts became popular, builders tried to ratchet down the hull size while maintaining the 'advantages' of such a layout. By both traditional & contemporary standards, silly designs like the Irwin 32.5 and S2 30 were put in the market because, back then just like today, the dirty little truth is that many sailboats are used more as condos than for routinely sailing some distance under sail. If that's your own intention, which is certainly a reasonable choice, then look at the ergonomics of the layout as Edward is suggesting and don't worry about it being a condo more than a sailboat. OTOH if you are hoping to use the boat as a boat, you'll find this choice is loaded with compromises: wetter cockpit (closer to the bow wave), cramped accommodations with awkward arrangements for use underway, high CG, high CE, higher elevation for the crew in the cockpit with increased tendency for motion sickness (boats roll many more degrees than they pitch, and the acceleration forces of that higher arc will be noticeable relative to a lower, aft cockpit), poor cockpit locker storage (which already is in short supply on a smaller boat), and so on. The conventional 'Euro Quarter Cabin' layout is far more functional and works well down to ~32'/9.5M. Look e.g. at the layouts of a H-R 31 or Najad 330 to see what I mean. There are some wonderful older Contests with this option, as well. A Moody 31 is another great example, and very functional from the marina berth to offshore. Lots of choices without going 'up'. BTW the trend I see is that most boat builders have moved away from the c/c layout except in the big hulls, and the quarter aft cabin is now and has been the standard for some time, not that there aren't exceptions to that. Jack
Centercockpit Preferred
I purchased a 38 Morgan CC last year. After a full season with (2) 9 day cruises and being down on the boat every weekend, I would not consider going back to an aft cockpit boat. The seagoing motion is easier, the below deck accomodations are superior and the visability being higher and more forward are great. Drawbacks are: more windage (minimal), higher CG ( I'm not a racer ). Oh, did I mention that the cockpit is always dry!!!
I purchased a 38 Morgan CC last year. After a full season with (2) 9 day cruises and being down on the boat every weekend, I would not consider going back to an aft cockpit boat. The seagoing motion is easier, the below deck accomodations are superior and the visability being higher and more forward are great. Drawbacks are: more windage (minimal), higher CG ( I'm not a racer ). Oh, did I mention that the cockpit is always dry!!!
32 feet is far to small for a cc
Writing to chime in my strong agreement with Jack and Edward. My experiece with center cockpits includes a Beneteau 40CC (rented in the BVI), which was great, and a S2 30 (rented in New York), the S2 having far to many compromises as described by Jack and Edward, to even consider purchase.
Writing to chime in my strong agreement with Jack and Edward. My experiece with center cockpits includes a Beneteau 40CC (rented in the BVI), which was great, and a S2 30 (rented in New York), the S2 having far to many compromises as described by Jack and Edward, to even consider purchase.
ODay 32
I own a 32 ODay and this boat is a nice boat with a lot of room. It sails well and is not so tender which I like because of a small child and wife on board most of the time. My boat is a shoal draft design which is great for the great south bay of Long Island,I checked out the pics on EBay and that looks like a nice boat. If you buy it keep in touch. RAD s/v Free Spirit
I own a 32 ODay and this boat is a nice boat with a lot of room. It sails well and is not so tender which I like because of a small child and wife on board most of the time. My boat is a shoal draft design which is great for the great south bay of Long Island,I checked out the pics on EBay and that looks like a nice boat. If you buy it keep in touch. RAD s/v Free Spirit
Center Cockpit = A
As with all boats, you are going to compromise somewhere. I sold our aft cockpit boats, a Pearson and our Beneteau for a Whitby. Having sailed many boats coastal and offshore the center cockpit is wonderful depending upon the design of the boat. The designer makes it work or it doesn't. The huge after cabins are a plus, instead of crawling into a quarteberth or under a cockpit you can walk into a private cabin with room to stand up. Usually, you gain a 2nd head for additional comfort and privacy. You also get an engine room or space that you can actually work on the engine and other systems. Often times room for all the additional toys like a generator, watermaker, refrig. system, etc. Smaller boats are claustrophobic by nature depending on design and comparison to larger versions no matter which cockpit, center or aft. Most cruisers use a Dodger and Bimini these days and even better full enclosures, they work extremely well with the center cockpit. The motion in the center of the boat is also the least disturbed, rather than being at the aft end of a pitching bronco. I could continue with many other qualities pro or con. Best advice try one out, you may never go back!
As with all boats, you are going to compromise somewhere. I sold our aft cockpit boats, a Pearson and our Beneteau for a Whitby. Having sailed many boats coastal and offshore the center cockpit is wonderful depending upon the design of the boat. The designer makes it work or it doesn't. The huge after cabins are a plus, instead of crawling into a quarteberth or under a cockpit you can walk into a private cabin with room to stand up. Usually, you gain a 2nd head for additional comfort and privacy. You also get an engine room or space that you can actually work on the engine and other systems. Often times room for all the additional toys like a generator, watermaker, refrig. system, etc. Smaller boats are claustrophobic by nature depending on design and comparison to larger versions no matter which cockpit, center or aft. Most cruisers use a Dodger and Bimini these days and even better full enclosures, they work extremely well with the center cockpit. The motion in the center of the boat is also the least disturbed, rather than being at the aft end of a pitching bronco. I could continue with many other qualities pro or con. Best advice try one out, you may never go back!
You Will Love It
We moved from a 34 aft cockpit to a 42 center cockpit. We could and probably will live on it for six months of the year once I retire. I would think that something in the low 30 foot range would be the absolute lower limit for a usable center cockpit.
We moved from a 34 aft cockpit to a 42 center cockpit. We could and probably will live on it for six months of the year once I retire. I would think that something in the low 30 foot range would be the absolute lower limit for a usable center cockpit.
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