Opinions on round cockpits?

Jackdaw · Apr 10, 2014

Sailboats heel when being SAILED, so the cockpit design should reflect that.

Seat backs should be angled outwards so they are most comfortable while sailing, and the backside of the coaming should become a comfortable seat when heeled as well; allowing crew to move outboard as the breeze picks up to add more hiking leverage.

The cockpit sole should have ridges to allow you to brace you feet when heeled.

Prime Time · Apr 10, 2014

I would not buy a boat that you couldn't brace your legs well to keep u from falling at 45 degrees of heel

Steve Walsh · Apr 10, 2014

I had a friend with a rounded cockpit Hunter and he and his wife grew to hate the cockpit. They loved to stretch out and read or nap in the cockpit at anchor and the bulkhead curves caused them to constantly slide inboard, requiring constant cushion and pillow adjustments.He said it was the main reason they sold the boat.

kito · Apr 10, 2014

Seems like the designers are more interested in creating a new fad by making a condo with sails rather than an actual sailing vessel.

Don S/V ILLusion · Apr 10, 2014

kito said:
Seems like the designers are more interested in creating a new fad by making a condo with sails rather than an actual sailing vessel.

While it may be true, designers aren't stupid nor do they ignore market demand. The trend in design is influenced primarily by customer demand.

Given the majority of time is spent on a boat at anchor, mooring or a dock, comfort trumps design every time.

zeehag · Apr 10, 2014

depends on th eboat... is the round cockpit in a CRUISING or a RACING boat.
cruisers dont generally heel over so much while underway they are designed for comfort. round is not a bad design for long range cruising IFF it empties of a breaking sea rapidly.
while cruising, otto pile it will be guiding your boat, not a tiller, so why the fuss over cockpit shape.
if you are racing a small sailboat with tiller, then be concerned. you heel a lot in racing and need the support for feet at TILLER. with wheel, is different.
buy what makes your heart flutter.

Bosman · Apr 10, 2014

Sailboats heel when being SAILED, so the cockpit design should reflect that.

This is a universal truth and I agree with Jackdaw 100%

With regards to the cockpit design and boat design, this all comes down to a personal choice. Some people, who mostly race, would prefer simple interior with minimalistic equipment to save weight. Some others, who spend few days a week on a boat and actually do spend nights onboard, will appreciate all the comforts of well equipped modern boat and the feel of "floating condo". This is what majority of present customers (and charter fleets) want, which is reflected by how the boats are designed. Most modern cruisers with wide beams carried well aft will offer performance similar to performance boats buiild in the 70s, while modern performance boats are completely different story (look at Pogo, for example).

This is, at least, how I see it and I do recognise my opinion does not reflect views and opinions of the other. Personally, I prefer well designed and spacious cockpit over narrow ones.

JK_Boston_Catalina310 · Apr 10, 2014

I disagree with the thoughts that some have posted in opposition to large, rounded cockpits. It was actually one of the reasons we purchased our Catalina 310.

Jackdaw said:
Sailboats heel when being SAILED, so the cockpit design should reflect that.

Prime Time said:
I would not buy a boat that you couldn't brace your legs well to keep u from falling at 45 degrees of heel

Both of these comments reflect "classic" sailboat design. Modern hull designs are made to be sailed more flat. My Catalina is fastest when heeled at about 10 degrees. Over 15 degrees of heel and you really start to drop off speed. From a design point, these comments don't reflect the actual situations with these boats.

Also, many of these designers are putting fixed cockpit tables with places to brace your feet. I attached a couple of photos of the table in the new Catalina 315.

In addition, small cockpits come from a previous design mindset that had a lot to do with how well a cockpit would drain when popped by a wave. Larger cockpits where not as safe when you were trying to drain it through 2-inch or smaller lines. Open transoms that drain much quicker have changed that portion of the design consideration.

kito said:
Seems like the designers are more interested in creating a new fad by making a condo with sails rather than an actual sailing vessel.

Or they are recognizing how people actually use their boats. On average, most cruisers spend 70% of their time at anchor, on a mooring or at a dock and less than 30% of their time actually sailing and moving. This generally holds true for coastal cruisers, circumnavigators and day sailors. So why not design a boat that can be comfortable during the majority of use rather than the minority if both can be done safely?

Jackdaw · Apr 10, 2014

JK_Boston_Catalina310 said:
Or they are recognizing how people actually use their boats. On average, most cruisers spend 70% of their time at anchor, on a mooring or at a dock and less than 30% of their time actually sailing and moving. This generally holds true for coastal cruisers, circumnavigators and day sailors. So why not design a boat that can be comfortable during the majority of use rather than the minority if both can be done safely?

I agree completely. As with anything, look at how you will use the boat, and buy accordingly. Everyone spends their own money. Designers ARE looking at this as the population ages and are creating some boats to reflect that; with on hook-comfort trumping ease of sailing. The trick is getting the right mix, and hitting your target market. That Pogo will not appeal to everyone. But its not intended to.

Brian S · Apr 10, 2014

Round cockpits work pretty good on Greenlandic hunting kayaks

Stu Jackson · Apr 10, 2014

Catalina made many of their vintage boats (C30, C34 & C36) in two models: Mark I and Mark II. The Mark IIs had wider cockpits but the same underwater shape. We have friends who have had both. One couple says: him: I love the larger wheel and space; her: I hate the wide cockpit, I can't brace myself and they removed the raised helmsman's seat!

Ya buy what you like.

I don't like 'em, I'll keep my boat.

YMMV? On this one for sure!

Your boat, your choice.

rufus1138 · Apr 10, 2014

ill throw a vote in for the 33 hunter cherubini design, oddly enough its a hybrid of alot of these design ideas, its got a low coaming that protects the cockpit from minor deck washing and lets water get off the high side if a large breaker is encountered, a relatively small cockpit as the boat has lost alot of its beam by the time you get back to the mainsheet track its a bulb and stem shape with a slightly classical straight bench section running from the companion way to the inboard set jib winch islands that form the neck of a round section that encompasses the helm area, at the very back of this the coaming has all but disappeared and the transom area is just wide enough for the average person to lay up in a very relaxed manner across the beam lounging against the stern pulpit and still able to reach the wheel. personally ive never come across a more friendly traveling cockpit design, its slightly crowded with any more than 4 ppl in it but thats not the point of this boat.

charliegrau · Apr 10, 2014

I've got a Hunter 380 with the round cockpit. There is good and bad about it..just like anything. When I have a cockpit full of people the circular arrangement facilitates eye contact and conversation. There is a big pedestal in the middle that can hold food/drinks, and there is additional seating in the stern seats and on the cabin top. If you want to stretch out and sleep the curve of the seats can interfere, especially if you are over 6ft (i'm not). I wouldn't use the round cockpit as a key driver of my decision to buy or not buy a boat. The pedestal in the middle provides a place to brace when needed. All the other considerations about sailing characteristics are irrelevant. The hull and rig determine the sailing characteristics of the vessel...the cockpit is just ergonomics. I am most likely to have a big crowd when I am at dock or anchor...not so much when sailing. The round cockpit provides plenty of room and handholds and braces for a crew of 2-4 to work the boat comfortably.

Benny17441 · Apr 10, 2014

Boats are designed with different uses in mind. Production boats usually follow the requirements set by the largest percentage of buyers. It seems that most of us want an affordable boat for a day sailer, week ender and coastal cruiser with comfortable accommodations and entertainment space. The hull has been widened in the back and the sail plan has been redesigned to a fractional working jib with a large roach main sail. The boat sails best when upright so consideration for hiking straps was not necessary. The boats are light, roomy and fairly fast in most conditions. It is unfair to criticize a production boat manufacturer for not catering to the special interests of minority groups. That would defeat the important consideration of being able to provide an affordable boat. There are boat manufacturers that cater to racing, offshore sailing, full time cruising and rough weather handling. Due to the requirements of perhaps stronger materials and components and a smaller demand their prices are usually higher. For those of us that may not like certain characteristics of the newer designs and do not have the budget for a specialty builder there are many older production models in the market. Let's not kid ourselves there is something for everybody, it is just limited by what we can afford.

Gunni · Apr 10, 2014

What "coastal cruisers" are you referring to? The curvy cockpits I have seen were on those fancy daysailors and older Hunters.

I wouldn't own a boat that I couldn't stretch out and sleep in the cockpit. At 6'3' that means a nice long straight bench.

25yearslater · Apr 10, 2014

You sparked a pretty good conversation Jonny. Here is my take inspired by Jackdaw even though he didn't touch on it. Much like my Expedition and F150 with both having 8 massive cylinders and enriching OPEC countries with the amount of fuel they burned, I came to the realization 90% of the time there was one person and no load. Dispatching with them both over a decade ago I purchased far more economical commuter type vehicles. What Jack did was what I would propose. Buy a boat for the 90% of your sailing and charter or rent for the 10%. If you are, like Jack, into racing something along the lines of most production boats are not going to satisfy. Even he chartered a really go fast boat for his 10%. Imagine a foiling cat for a cruiser, not a chance, but wouldn't it be fun for a few days or a week. There are ways to enjoy both worlds without a budget busting exercise or a situation that makes one miserable most of the time. Of course when I win the gogillion dollar lottery I will have a marina full of boats to enjoy. Oh yeah, maybe someday I will even buy a ticket.

Opinions on round cockpits?

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