Aft or Centre cockpit

[Jools_of_Top_Cat]

I have a centre cockpit, and for the reasons given above it is great, you do feel secure, mine is a standing cockpit with the aft cabins giving full protection from the weather behind too.

I would love to go back to an aft cockpit with a tiller, you get a much better feel for the boat, and working over the stern is safer, and you do sometimes have to hang over the stern in nasty weather to attach a tow or clear ropes etc.

To get up to do anything to my boom or traveller in bad weather, especially alone it is lifejackets and harnesses, I would give this up for an aft cockpit, though on the upside I am under my mast inside the cockpit, so sailing from the cockpit is much easier in that way.

ok, its horses for courses I guess, I am back to where I started.

<hr width=100% size=1>Julian

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.topcatsail.co.uk/TC_IrishCruise_2003_00.html>Irish Cruise</A>

 

[Sybarite]

It depends what you want from a boat. If you are all sailing purists and only have that in mind I could believe that the AC solution is the better. Eg single berths where you are wedged in going to windward etc etc

However when it comes to another type of sport... the CC wins hands down ! Which do you think SWMBO would choose?

A French yachting magazine did an article on the suitability of different types of boats for this a few years ago. Stability, berth dimensions not to mention headroom...

Haven't seen a YM article on this to the best of my recollection !

John.

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[billmacfarlane]

A salesman at SBS told me that those who come into sailing at a later age e.g taking to sailing in middle age, tend to prefer CC boats. People brought up on a diet of dinghies tend to prefer aft cockpits. It might be partly due to the feel of the helm. I've only ever sailed 2 CC designs and the helm on both felt a little vague and spongy.

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[tjc]

Re: Have a good look around

I have a Halmatic 30 now and the Rustler is top of the list if I stay with the aft cockpit. as an aside how did the two compare, room and sailing ability because the halmatic whilst reliable and sturdy do find that is a bit slow in lighter winds.

Does the Rustler go astern in vaguely the right direction that is intended as the Halmatic is a complete lottery.

Any comments appreciated

Thanks

<hr width=100% size=1><P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by tjc on 01/10/2003 22:35 (server time).</FONT></P>

 

[Twister_Ken]

Ask DeeGee, or NigelCh...

...how to go astern in an R36. But don't expect a helpful answer.

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.writeforweb.com/twister1>Let's Twist Again</A>

 

[BrianJ]

Centre .. they are good
BrianJ

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[Jules]

I hope I'm not too late for this, butwhat about climbling in from dinghy or heaven forbid from the water? Modern sterns often have a step or walk-through transom, but do CC's?
The point about emergency steering access or windvane is a good one for long distance work.
All boats are a compromise!

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