Sailboat design, what's your choice?

[Brian D]

Do you like the sleek modern looking design or are you more into the traditional square box design?I like a more traditional look where the cabin top is more square as opposed to the cabin merging into the deck like modern boats. One day I will own a traditional looking boat. My eye for the future is a Bayfield 45.

 

[RichH]

All depends on what you are looking for ....

If your minds-eye is towards dockside entertaining and occasional 'overnights' at anchor, then a huge cockpit, large walkaround 'afterberth' and huge internal volume (without stowage or convenient 'hand-holds') would be appropriate. On the otherhand if you are looking for 'voyaging' then, a small (safe) cockpit, suitable sea-berths, plenty of 'hand-holds' to grab onto in a seaway, tons of 'ample stowage', less topside 'windage', then the well designed 'traditional' would be more appropriate.

 

[Ross]

Everything that Rich said is valid. How you

define a sailboat is crucial. Some of the boats out there are houseboats with a mast. Seaworthyness seems to be a forgotten factor and many boats are being designed by the marketing department.

 

[Alan]

Or...........

......dare I say it, a fast plumb bow with flared aft section that planes easily points well and goes like a bat out of hell.Each has its place. The various designs are not interchangeable for the most part. The floating condo can't do what a blue water cruiser can and neither can go like a dedicated race boat. Each fills a niche and rarely can they 'jump ship'(excuse the pun)

 

[Doug Burton]

Beautiful they are

You can't be a sailor without loving the look of a Bayfield 40 (I don't think they made a 45 though I've seen one advertised as that used). And if a pirate is who you long to be, that's the boat! . But after seeing interiors of Catalina 400's and other modern condo boats in comparison, you gotta think how much crewed sailing you're going to actually do. Personally, my boat won't heel while I'm sleeping so a bed is as good or better than a berth. I'm suprised a fat beam boat like a 400 is faster than the slimmer Bayfield too. But the romance and fantasy are lacking. I don't know, but if you're really globe trotting, I guess old style, coastal cruising and socializing, condo style. Decisions, decisions.

 

[Joe]

aft berth.....

...please... not afterberth.. that just sounds sick.... I will never say "I'm going to sleep in the afterberth." That's nasty. You don't say "forwarder" berth, do you.?

 

[higgs]

Boat design

Without question the new boats coming out are good boats, but I prefer the more traditional look and design.For new boats around 35 feet I am struck with the lack of sea berths and the cramped accomadations of an aft cabin. Those small aft cabins look awfully hot and stuffy to me. The old standby of two setees p&s and a quarter berth aft allows for sea berths in a small or midsized boat. I want to be able to sleep, at least nap, when under way on those longer trips.Another complaint about the new boat is that they are all starting to look the same.Most production boats today are reasonably well made and sail pretty well - unlike the 70's and early 80's when there were a lot of lousy boats being made. In that respect, I think the industry has improved greatly. But, nothing makes my heart beat faster than the timeless designs that came out of the past.

 

[abe]

Joe could be worse, it could be afterbirth...

try sleeping on that..abe

 

[Brian D]

Doug...

Tell me it ain't so! *cryI found a Bayfield 45 here is San Diego. It is at the same marina my boat is slipped. It looks a lot like a Bayfield 40 though. You might be right.

 

[Doug Burton]

That's the one

I think he must be adding the bowsprit. Just my guess and remember I still dunno Jack. There are 2 40's in MD 4 sale here and that 1 in CA. When I was looking I couldn't find anything on Bayfield making a 45 and had to conclude it's a 40. I'm open for enlightenment though. Either way it's good looking.  The one in Annapolis was just on Ebay with an opening bid of 80K so they may be ready to negotiate. Let me know if you need crew for a couple weeks of that adventure home. PS:the pics on the net are old so see it in person before you buy.