It's the size of the cockpit that counts!

arf145 · Sep 27, 2013

My Pearson 28-2 had about a 6 ft long cockpit and I'd say my Beneteau 331 is *maybe* a little longer though it does have more width. Of course some boats definitely have bigger cockpits, but one factor for sure is tiller vs. wheel. With a pedestal and wheel, you lose some mobility in the middle, but someone can sit beside the pilot and not really be in the way.

HukilauMike · Sep 27, 2013

You will find boats of unequal length with equal length cockpits, as well as boats of the same length with different sized cockpits. Generally speaking, a 35 foot boat will likely have a bigger cockpit than a 25 foot boat, but there are many factors that dictate the designer's choice of cockpit size.

If the boat was made to go offshore, then you are likely to find a "smaller" cockpit. This is primarily because the designer is trying to minimize the impact to the boat if the cockpit fills with a wave. Also, boats that are designed as blue water boats will generally have a larger cabin; a larger cabin means less boat length can be devoted to the cockpit. Even if the boat isn't designed to go offshore, many older boat designs also have smaller cockpits. This is because they were based on more traditional designs which incorporated the smaller cockpits (think Pearson Triton, Allied Seabreeze).

I think that many of the newer designs emphasize the cockpit more and will have more room topside than the older designs. If you are looking for a boat with a bigger cockpit, don't be surprised if you have to move up considerably in boat length (like a 30'+ boat) in order to get an appreciably bigger cockpit. You may also want to consider some of the smaller designs that are built as daysailers. Because they don't pretend to have anything more than minimal cabins, they devote much more room to the cockpits. One design that comes to mind is the Oday Tempest. The boat is 23', but the cockpit is probably 8 feet long. A very pretty boat too.

http://oday.sailboatowners.com/inde...Itemid=265&pid=11737&page=sshow&mn=&catid=194

rufus1138 · Sep 27, 2013

cockpits vary greatly with manufacturer, my hunter 27 has a small cockpit but my neighbors oday (small one idk if its a 19 or 23) is immense, the 33 cherubini hunter im looking at has a huge cockpit too. same story with most of the hunter models bigger than the 27 cherubini. keep in mind that these designs will sacrifice cabin space, thats why my 27 is so small in the pit because the salon and interior is massive for a 27 foot boat.

Spindrift NH · Sep 27, 2013

My wife and I frequently raft up with my father for an afternoon at our favorite anchorages, he has a 25 O'Day and we have a 30 foot Catalina. More often than not we hang out in our cockpit. There is much more room in the Catalina with a T cockpit than the O'Day, however were really talking about two very different boats in terms of sailing characteristics, maintenance, and handling.

fred1diver · Sep 27, 2013

different boat design, even the same size boats, will have different sized cockpit.
it was one of the major factor when I bought my new to me first boat, I have almost 7' on a 23' trailer sailer

topcat0399 · Sep 27, 2013

Where we sail we have the most ghetto sailboat but I'm damn sure we have the biggest cockpit.....

Sandy Stone · Sep 27, 2013

Years ago we had a Pearson 26 One-design (like a Weekender) that had a cockpit almost 9 feet long - it was great, and a good sailing boat, too. But you might be a little disappointed with the cabin compared to your O'Day.

CalebD · Sep 27, 2013

Here is a smaller boat with a larger than usual cockpit:
http://sailboatdata.com/viewrecord.asp?class_id=162

jimfrankelly · Sep 27, 2013

Hunter 260/270 have Very Roomy Cockpits

Ward H said:
After our 1st season with our O'day 25, I'm thinking the cockpit is smaller than it was when we bought it just about a year ago. Feels like it shrunk enough to fit the Admiral and myself and no one else.
If we decided to move up in size abit one of the main reasons would be for a bigger cockpit. I am guessing that increasing the beam would increase the width of the cockpit but does increasing the length 2 to 3' increase the length of the cockpit?
How would you go about finding a boat with a longer cockpit or do all in the 25 to 30' range have cockpits about the same length?
I bellieve the O'day 25 cockpit length is about 6' and a couple inches but we like to stretch out a bit and still have room for dogs, friends and such.

We have a 2002 Hunter 270 with a folding tiller & corner seats .... we just had a party with 10 people sitting in the cockpit & a folding table in the center ..... no one was crowded. We raced with a crew of 5 the other night & lots of room ... no crowding. We can also seat 8 for dinner in the cabin with no crowding. The 260/270 also has a rather large head.

Ross · Sep 27, 2013

Re: Hunter 260/270 have Very Roomy Cockpits

When I took possession of my Islander 30 the cockpit was 8 feet long and would hold about 2 tons of water if we were ever pooped and the companion way was six inches above the cockpit sole. I changed that.

Joe · Sep 27, 2013

If you compare the Catalina Capri 22 with the Catalina 22.. you will see how purpose can affect design. The Capri 22 is a "sport" boat with a very large cockpit. It is a wonderful daysailer, being able to accommodate a fairly large crew.... The Catalina 22 is designed as a trailerable pocket cruiser... a much large cabin than the Capri... with room for many of the amenities weekend couples desire. One of the reasons smaller cockpits are preferred is they tend to be "drier".

Both boats are actively raced....

So.... in general.. a boat that is designed for daysailing, entertaining or racing will have a proportionally larger cockpit for its length than one whose primary purpose is passage making or all weather sailing. That's a huge generality I admit... but the point is... boat length doesn't necessarily guarantee a larger cockpit.

Kermit · Sep 28, 2013

Ross said:
When I took possession of my Islander 30 the cockpit was 8 feet long and would hold about 2 tons of water if we were ever pooped and the companion way was six inches above the cockpit sole. I changed that.

Huh?

fred1diver · Sep 28, 2013

he might be talking about a poop deck lol

nolasafari · Sep 28, 2013

Pooped water coming over the stern and filling the cockpit, which is why cockpit drains and main cabin hatch design become such an issue in offshore boats.

Pooped
-
The poop is the stern section of a ship. To be pooped is to be swamped by a high, following sea.

Ross · Sep 28, 2013

Kermit said:
Huh?

I cut out the aft 4 feet and installed a bulkhead and deck and made a very large lazerette. my fuel tank, batteries, steering quadrant, extra sails and line are in there and there is still room for me to climb in and move around. It is actively ventilated with a solar powered fan and a pair of cowl vents.

Jackdaw · Sep 28, 2013

Joe called it.

In boats less then 30 LOA, models that fancy themselves pocket cruisers will have more space dedicated to cabin, and less to cockpit. If more day sailor oriented, the other way around. In these smaller sizes, there is no escaping reality.

The only way to really know is to get out and look at boats!

More racing oriented boats will also have a larger cockpit, to allow the crew to work. Modern boats have open transoms to allow any pooped water to escape.

Ross · Sep 28, 2013

Cruisers tend to want more stowage space. Many members have questioned as to where to install a propane locker. Mine is an air tight compartment in the lazerette with a separate on deck access hatch and transom drain

rgranger · Sep 29, 2013

Ward H said:
If we decided to move up in size abit one of the main reasons would be for a bigger cockpit. I am guessing that increasing the beam would increase the width of the cockpit but does increasing the length 2 to 3' increase the length of the cockpit?
How would you go about finding a boat with a longer cockpit or do all in the 25 to 30' range have cockpits about the same length?

The nicest cockpit I've ever seen in a pocket cruiser is in a Rhodes 22. Hands down. I've charted one and my entire family spent three nights and four days cruising the Albemarle Sound.

Skipper · Sep 30, 2013

It's not only the cockpit. The whole boat shrinks over time. It's due to age, water, and the sun. Some boats fair better than others.

Also, most boats have an adverse reaction to novelty. I've seen boats with so many neat, cute, interesting, and superfluous junk piled up or hammered to the teak that there's scarcely room to fart.

Our cockpit is of reasonable size. Nothing remarkable. However, the wife loves to ride on the bow in a folding seat, with her feet either hanging over the lower lifelines or pushing on a toerail, depending on the angle. Therefore, I generally have the cockpit to myself when sailing, and it's more than large enough when moored.

Many people with boats, and I think even more so with houses, make their mega-$ decisions based largely on the entertainment value of the item. They buy houses with huge decks, finished basements with pool tables, etc., wet bars, toys, you name it. Then, they sit alone in their playhouses the majority of the time. They could have got by with a home closer to work, family, and entertaining spots, for $150k less. Same with boats; you have to analyze whether you really need a bigger cockpit. Find a marina with a dockside bar, and save the $, for it will usually (or eventually) only be you 2 on the boat. Bask in the amazing pleasure of sailing, and forget trying to pay for others' momentary entertainment. If you need a bigger boat for a day, charter one.

It's the size of the cockpit that counts!

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