oat show observations

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Jan 27, 2007
383
Irwin 37' center cockpit cleveland ohio
I wonder why?... If the salon table is firmly bolted down, that the middle is not a door, like the Nav table, and have a box where you could store plates and dinnerware. Instead of a lifting door, you could make it a side drawer under the table. They have two fixed legs on the table. One manufacturer has the legs parallel with the keel, the other perpendicular. Seems like the one that is perpendicular makes sense two ways. One, on a heel, it makes the table harder to move if you hit it, and two, it makes it easier to get behind the table to sit down. Why do they have two showers on a boat? I can see two heads, but why two showers? Why do they have mirrors in the dumbest locations, at angles that are useless. On the 45' Hunter, the aft cabin bed did not go from side to side, which means if you want to sleep on it while sailing, you would fall out of bed if the boat heals at all. On one boat, the battery ON/OFF switch was in the back cabin, near the floor. Odd place. On several boats the plate holding the switches for the running lights, bilge pumps, etc. was underneath the nav table. You had to kneel to turn anything on. One boat had a microwave that my 5'2" friend could not reach. The boat cost $225,000. Only one boat had the Nav Instruments, VHF radio, AM/FM radio in a door! You unlocked it, pulled the door down, and they were all the wires, etc. They were accessable. All the other had them firmly on fixed surfaces which made trouble shooting them impossible without first removing them. Why? On every boat the cockpit had hatches that were assessable by lifting a HEAVY "L" lid. Some of these held battery ON/OFF switches, places for winch handles, etc. Since there is no storage behind the seat back, why not have it so just the seat part lifts? On one boat I scraped my hand accidentally on the non-slip surface, and drew blood. Boy it was sharp. I know you don't want to slide around, but that was a little over the top. On the Hanse boats, the stairs were like glass! Very slippery, as was the cabin floor. Wouldn't a non slip surface be better? The saleman said "You'll get used to it". What, falling on my butt! Why are the stairs so narrow and why don't they have sides to firmly hold your feet. So when you are out sailing and have to go below, you fall? Duh.... A lot had sailing seats built into the back rail. You know those little cute seats where you can ride and see from the aft corner of the boat. The problem is, by having these, there is no backrest for whomever sits and steers the boat! One had a sink that was offset to the port side> You had to reach over to use the faucet and sink. I can't imagine doing dishes on this boat. It was either a 30 something Hunter or 40 something Bennetau. On one boat the cover over the stove burners wouldn't hold the pan up! We tried it with a pan and teapot and both fell over. And many did not have pan holders to hold the pans in place while sailing. Guess you just wait till you get to shore to cook. Just a few observations...on yeah, I am happy with my vintage 37' Irwin.
 
Jan 27, 2007
383
Irwin 37' center cockpit cleveland ohio
I wonder why?... If the salon table is firmly bolted down, that the middle is not a door, like the Nav table, and have a box where you could store plates and dinnerware. Instead of a lifting door, you could make it a side drawer under the table. They have two fixed legs on the table. One manufacturer has the legs parallel with the keel, the other perpendicular. Seems like the one that is perpendicular makes sense two ways. One, on a heel, it makes the table harder to move if you hit it, and two, it makes it easier to get behind the table to sit down. Why do they have two showers on a boat? I can see two heads, but why two showers? Why do they have mirrors in the dumbest locations, at angles that are useless. On the 45' Hunter, the aft cabin bed did not go from side to side, which means if you want to sleep on it while sailing, you would fall out of bed if the boat heals at all. On one boat, the battery ON/OFF switch was in the back cabin, near the floor. Odd place. On several boats the plate holding the switches for the running lights, bilge pumps, etc. was underneath the nav table. You had to kneel to turn anything on. One boat had a microwave that my 5'2" friend could not reach. The boat cost $225,000. Only one boat had the Nav Instruments, VHF radio, AM/FM radio in a door! You unlocked it, pulled the door down, and they were all the wires, etc. They were accessable. All the other had them firmly on fixed surfaces which made trouble shooting them impossible without first removing them. Why? On every boat the cockpit had hatches that were assessable by lifting a HEAVY "L" lid. Some of these held battery ON/OFF switches, places for winch handles, etc. Since there is no storage behind the seat back, why not have it so just the seat part lifts? On one boat I scraped my hand accidentally on the non-slip surface, and drew blood. Boy it was sharp. I know you don't want to slide around, but that was a little over the top. On the Hanse boats, the stairs were like glass! Very slippery, as was the cabin floor. Wouldn't a non slip surface be better? The saleman said "You'll get used to it". What, falling on my butt! Why are the stairs so narrow and why don't they have sides to firmly hold your feet. So when you are out sailing and have to go below, you fall? Duh.... A lot had sailing seats built into the back rail. You know those little cute seats where you can ride and see from the aft corner of the boat. The problem is, by having these, there is no backrest for whomever sits and steers the boat! One had a sink that was offset to the port side> You had to reach over to use the faucet and sink. I can't imagine doing dishes on this boat. It was either a 30 something Hunter or 40 something Bennetau. On one boat the cover over the stove burners wouldn't hold the pan up! We tried it with a pan and teapot and both fell over. And many did not have pan holders to hold the pans in place while sailing. Guess you just wait till you get to shore to cook. Just a few observations...on yeah, I am happy with my vintage 37' Irwin.
 

JerryA

.
Oct 17, 2004
550
Hunter Hunter 170 Sandusky Bay, Lake Erie
That's what happens...

Letterman, That's what happens, when there are only 10 sailboats with cabins at a boat show. One has no choice but to explore every detail and ponder the reason why. I went Saturday and was disappointed with the very, very small number of sailboats. I agree with your comment regarding the Hanse steps, but I like the rest of the boat. I won't be selling my Precision 23 anytime soon, but if I did I'd be interested in the Hanse 310. Then I'd fix the steps. I like the style of the Harbor 25, but with a base price of $75k, I won't be buying one anytime in the near future. Besides I think my cabin has more room. If it wasn't for Harbor North, it could have been called a powerboat show. JerryA
 

JerryA

.
Oct 17, 2004
550
Hunter Hunter 170 Sandusky Bay, Lake Erie
That's what happens...

Letterman, That's what happens, when there are only 10 sailboats with cabins at a boat show. One has no choice but to explore every detail and ponder the reason why. I went Saturday and was disappointed with the very, very small number of sailboats. I agree with your comment regarding the Hanse steps, but I like the rest of the boat. I won't be selling my Precision 23 anytime soon, but if I did I'd be interested in the Hanse 310. Then I'd fix the steps. I like the style of the Harbor 25, but with a base price of $75k, I won't be buying one anytime in the near future. Besides I think my cabin has more room. If it wasn't for Harbor North, it could have been called a powerboat show. JerryA
 

Ross

.
Jun 15, 2004
14,693
Islander/Wayfairer 30 sail number 25 Perryville,Md.
Somebody ask me why I bought a boat ready for the chain

saws and built it the way I wanted it to be. Fiberglass hulls live forever. Designers are into cute.
 

Ross

.
Jun 15, 2004
14,693
Islander/Wayfairer 30 sail number 25 Perryville,Md.
Somebody ask me why I bought a boat ready for the chain

saws and built it the way I wanted it to be. Fiberglass hulls live forever. Designers are into cute.
 
May 11, 2005
3,431
Seidelman S37 Slidell, La.
MAYBE

Maybe the manufacturers realize that many if not most of the newer bigger boats end up being used more as dock condos, as opposed to real sailing vessels. Also keep in mind that many of the admirals are much more concerned with appearance and comfortable layout than they are with functional parts and pieces.
 
May 11, 2005
3,431
Seidelman S37 Slidell, La.
MAYBE

Maybe the manufacturers realize that many if not most of the newer bigger boats end up being used more as dock condos, as opposed to real sailing vessels. Also keep in mind that many of the admirals are much more concerned with appearance and comfortable layout than they are with functional parts and pieces.
 
Jan 27, 2007
383
Irwin 37' center cockpit cleveland ohio
a new twist

I rode a Segeway at the show. Way cool. My first thought was to put one on a sailboat, or something resembling it, that would keep a sailboat straight up and resist the heeling forces. How cool would that be?
 
Jan 27, 2007
383
Irwin 37' center cockpit cleveland ohio
a new twist

I rode a Segeway at the show. Way cool. My first thought was to put one on a sailboat, or something resembling it, that would keep a sailboat straight up and resist the heeling forces. How cool would that be?
 
A

Alex

New boats?

I totally agree with Letterman. Just like to add a few more: (1) The lack of teak and holly for woodwork. They use a lot of composite makes the boat look like cheap furniture. I am old fashion and love the feel and look of teak inside. (2) Insane lack of access to the engine to do work. (3) Quick connect for water pipes scares me. (4) Too many thruhulls, some very hard to access. Some are not well supported. (5) Thin material. The binnacle flexes when I pull on the wheel is sign of the deck is too thin. I am staying with my old lady, a 1985 CS30.
 
A

Alex

New boats?

I totally agree with Letterman. Just like to add a few more: (1) The lack of teak and holly for woodwork. They use a lot of composite makes the boat look like cheap furniture. I am old fashion and love the feel and look of teak inside. (2) Insane lack of access to the engine to do work. (3) Quick connect for water pipes scares me. (4) Too many thruhulls, some very hard to access. Some are not well supported. (5) Thin material. The binnacle flexes when I pull on the wheel is sign of the deck is too thin. I am staying with my old lady, a 1985 CS30.
 
Jun 2, 2004
1,438
Oday 25 pittsburgh
The manufacturers are building what the feed back

from the dealers are asking for. Unfortunately, many unknowing/unknowledgable people want to buy a boat. Hense the new wave contemp look/lack of function designs. Money talks even if it is not a good product. If the MFG people listened to the sailors instead of the newbees and then send out the sailsmen to sell the function, we would have great boats to choose from. They would sell new boats with great designs. Instead we get fair boats with fair designs and good newbee boat owner designs. The new boat owners are looking for frills, and don't know what sailboat poeple want. I want a boat that sails and is functional to live on for weeks at a time and come to speed quickly and safely. If you look, sailors buy older boats, they are built better and sail better. If I had an opportunity to desgn a boat: It would combination of all the pluses of the production market. Wide cat walks, good walk-thru. Big cockpit. Easy single handed sail handling,. That has comfort for a 6' person. Comfort comes first. Comfort keeps people on the boat they sail. A good sailing/comfortable boat makes you want to stay on the boat. I hope some designer read this.... Can't wait for more of Dick's videos! We still have 3 months. Stay sanE! r.w.landau
 
Jun 2, 2004
1,438
Oday 25 pittsburgh
The manufacturers are building what the feed back

from the dealers are asking for. Unfortunately, many unknowing/unknowledgable people want to buy a boat. Hense the new wave contemp look/lack of function designs. Money talks even if it is not a good product. If the MFG people listened to the sailors instead of the newbees and then send out the sailsmen to sell the function, we would have great boats to choose from. They would sell new boats with great designs. Instead we get fair boats with fair designs and good newbee boat owner designs. The new boat owners are looking for frills, and don't know what sailboat poeple want. I want a boat that sails and is functional to live on for weeks at a time and come to speed quickly and safely. If you look, sailors buy older boats, they are built better and sail better. If I had an opportunity to desgn a boat: It would combination of all the pluses of the production market. Wide cat walks, good walk-thru. Big cockpit. Easy single handed sail handling,. That has comfort for a 6' person. Comfort comes first. Comfort keeps people on the boat they sail. A good sailing/comfortable boat makes you want to stay on the boat. I hope some designer read this.... Can't wait for more of Dick's videos! We still have 3 months. Stay sanE! r.w.landau
 
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