Boats for bigger people

[armchairsailor]

Here's one for the throng: what recommendations have people got for boats in the 32-40' range (or thereabouts) for taller folk? I'm 6'1" and my 15 year old shows no signs of stopping at 6'4". What's out there with decent headroom and berth length? He refused to go back on our 28 footer 2 years ago, so we're looking to upgrade. UK-centric boats are probably going to be on the cards. I'm deliberately not specifying price just now, but I doubt I'd be looking at anything younger than 20 years old.

Thanks!

 

[Laminar Flow]

31.5 Colvic Watson, whatever else may be wrong with them, they have 6'4'' headroom throughout. My brother, at 1.95m, survived several visits without concussion.
With a bit of modification you can even pretend they are a sailing boat.

Salish Sea as in BC?

 

[laika]

Westerly oceanlord (40'6", although I presume the sealord at 39' is similar) has headroom in the saloon for someone of 6'4": I've never measured it but it easily accommodates my 1.89m with space to spare. I can also lay down on the cockpit benches fully stretched out although it's only 196cm long so someone taller than me would have their feet flat against the end. The aft bunk on the mk 1 which I have would comfortably accommodate someone 2m+ but if you're talking about your son I'm guessing he wouldn't get the master cabin. The saloon bunks are doubles so even though I can't stretch my toes out if laying fore and aft, I can laying diagonally. Hmmm...I don't think I've ever slept in the forepeak...I'll have to measure that this weekend...

 

[lustyd]

My 1999 Sun Odyssey 36.2 owners version has 6'4" headroom and the bunks are huge, bigger than a superking (from memory 2.1m x 2.3m). As with all models though you won't find one for sale at the moment!

 

[doug748]

Have a look at one of these:

Nicholson - 345 Cruiser Racer in , South Coast | Boats and Outboards

Forum member yoda has one and I recall he once said the headroom was outstanding. He will possibly be along in a while to add detail.

.

 

[AntarcticPilot]

Maybe this guy could give you some ideas?

 

[johnalison]

Choose any boat and do what I saw a German chap in a Hanse do; wear a cycling helmet.

 

[jwilson]

Some Westerlys have good headroom, as do many modern Beneteau, Jeanneau, Bavaria etc. AWBs. But for boats for big people you really have to look at the US-built boats, US Hunters and Catalinas the most common. This Endeavour 35 yacht for sale - Yachtsnet Ltd. UK yacht brokers - yacht brokerage and boat sales might have suited you but it is of course sold now. Lots of headroom, big hatches, large berths.

 

[penfold]

Contessa 26 have very long main saloon bunks, as do Sonatas & Impalas; headroom is not up to much though.

 

[ashtead]

I believe Hunter Legends or Island packets are built specifically for the larger US sailor as they have wider doors -that said I know of larger chap Who is a keen rugby player taking on the Arc in a 42 DS which seems quite roomy below so maybe worth a look.

 

[Laminar Flow]

I believe Hunter Legends or Island packets are built specifically for the larger US sailor as they have wider doors -that said I know of larger chap Who is a keen rugby player taking on the Arc in a 42 DS which seems quite roomy below so maybe worth a look.

Second the Hunters and Packets for the beamier variants of humanity. US Hunters do not have a stellar rep as a seafaring conveyance though.

 

[armchairsailor]

Second the Hunters and Packets for the beamier variants of humanity. US Hunters do not have a stellar rep as a seafaring conveyance though.

Yes, t'lad's got a bit of a thing for the US Hunters. They curl my toes. I'd much rather go French if I go for an AWB.

 

[armchairsailor]

Thanks for the tips. I was thinking of Moodys, so Westerly sounds good too. There's plenty of time yet for looking, so I'm sure I'll be picking your brains again!

 

[armchairsailor]

Salish Sea as in BC?

Yes indeed. Two summer cruises under our belts now - Gulf Islands and the edge of Desolation Sound. Fantastic cruising country. Trouble is, with Covid, I've not laid eyes on our boat since Feb 2020. It's still floating apparently.
Probably relocating to Scotland (W Coast tho) - time to dust off the foulies.

 

[ashtead]

Agreed though a lot depends on intended usage -for channel trips to Brittany etc the Legend has much to offer but I would agree a Packet 435 say might be the choice for longer trips. They even do a deck saloon variety I see if motorsailors are more your thing but not cheap notwithstanding age.

 

[Concerto]

I am not going to recommend any boats, but when looking at any boat do check the berths are long enough as some may be a tad short.

 

[Laminar Flow]

Yes indeed. Two summer cruises under our belts now - Gulf Islands and the edge of Desolation Sound. Fantastic cruising country. Trouble is, with Covid, I've not laid eyes on our boat since Feb 2020. It's still floating apparently.
Probably relocating to Scotland (W Coast tho) - time to dust off the foulies.

Do I understand you correctly that you boat is in BC? In which case you are in the inverse Covid situation to us.

 

[Tomahawk]

It is a real problem and one that costs a lot of money. Sure one can have lots of headroom on a 24 ft boat, but it looks and sails like a brick if it has over 6’4” headroom in the main cabin. One ends up over 34’ to get something pretty to look at.

It’s worse if you need a cat for flat sailing because of arthritis. Anything shorter than 40 ft looks like a block of flats.

 

[Stemar]

And there was me thinking the OP was talking about width rather than height.

I look at the heads door on Jazzcat and some of the people on the pontoon, and wonder how that would work....

Jissel's door was even smaller, and opened inwards into a tiny space. You have to be pretty supple to get in and close the door though, to be fair, finding any space for separate heads on a 24 footer is an achievement.

 

[mjcoon]

Maybe this guy could give you some ideas?

When people parked in the office car park without paying attention to the bay markings, I thought that [Procrustes] could act as a precedent for the security patrols to carry a chain saw and apply the same logic...