Companionway cockpit "step"

[cmedsailor]

Southerly 430
Wauquiez pilot saloon 42 etc
Elan Impression 45/50 etc
Rustler 37/42 etc
Jeanneau Sun Odyssey DS43

One common design feature that these (and not only) boats have is that “step” in the cockpit where the companionway is. For some people a useful/additional seat and for some others a tiring step to climb every time you need to leave the cockpit and step into the boat. My boat has it and sometimes I find it useful (especially sitting there protected under the sprayhood when it is cold), sometimes I hate it and sometimes it just doesn’t bother me.
Those having a boat with such set up what is your opinion after some time of using the boat?

Edit: The picture shows what I am referring to

 

[ditchcrawler]

A friend of mine had the step on his Westerly Storm. He split the hatch board into two so that it slid down behind the step.
Very clever design.

 

[dunedin]

Surely virtually all (seaworthy) boats have a companion way step?
It is intended to avoid the cabin bring flooded if water gets into the cockpit.

But certainly a step which is comfortable to sit on is a perfect perch for watch keeping at night or in wet weather, particularly if have Scandinavian styled windscreen

 

[ashtead]

any good designs for the seat to sit on the aforesaid step though ?

 

[geem]

We have a step. Never considered it a problem. It allows us to clean the cockpit floor without putting washboards in. Its like having the bottom washboard in permanently, but without and leaks around the sides. It means that we only need one larger washboard. We dont use it as a seat since we have a large sprayhood that provides ample dry seating either side of the companionway. I think I would rather have it than not.

 

[cueball]

I assume you have never been pooped?

 

[RupertW]

If you even notice it on the way in or out then climbing on or off the boat or up from the cabin must be much more difficult. Maybe a catamaran or deck saloon could help?

 

[johnalison]

It looks like quite a modest bridge deck, but probably serves its purpose. When I looked to buy my current HR34 at Southhampton, the only obvious thing 'wrong' with the boat was the lack of a bridge deck other than a lip a couple of inches high. In twenty years this has never been a problem and we have never had a drop of seawater below as a result. It does make the entrance easy and safe, but if a fit of madness came over me and I decided on an ocean voyage, I would screw down the lower washboard, which can in any case be bolted.

 

[LadyInBed]

Don't all boats have a lip, call it a step if you like, to stop water sloshing down into the saloon?

 

[cmedsailor]

Don't all boats have a lip, call it a step if you like, to stop water sloshing down into the saloon?

Please see the photo I have attached. Of course all boat (must) have something to stop water, but I am referring to a large step. This step serves usually serves as extra headroom for the single aft cabin.
But my question is whether is something people find annoying (to step up and down), useful or are indifferent.

 

[LadyInBed]

Please see the photo I have attached. Of course all boat (must) have something to stop water, but I am referring to a large step. This step serves usually serves as extra headroom for the single aft cabin.
But my question is whether is something people find annoying (to step up and down), useful or are indifferent.

I've had a good look at the picture but can't see the step you refer to. Are you talking about the cockpit seat that is under the companionway entry? If so, I would have thought it is a design feature to stop crew falling off the edge when sat around the cockpit table.
PS I've just reread your narrative and realised that it is the seat you refer to. Another thought, what is under the seat? Maybe the space is required below.

 

[mjcoon]

I assume you have never been pooped?

My reaction, too. I have, decades ago, on a September flotilla. I also wonder about the fancy features I read about in new boats in YM where cockpit tables rise out of the sole, implying there should be tricky seals to stop even normal washing-out water leaking into the works...

Mike.

 

[Seajet]

It's normally called a bridgedeck and having been pooped once and the cockpit filled by a big wave over the side another time, I'd never consider a boat without one, though they are rare.

it does make a handy seat, especially as I extended mine with a wooden gas bottle locker - but I learned a saying while doing yotmaster, " only owners and arseholes sit / stand there ! "

In anything like heavy weather at least the lower washboard is in place too.

 

[johnalison]

Much depends on the sort of sailing you do. For modest North Sea and Channel sailing, I have never felt concerned with our low lip, though the lower washboard gets put in if there is much spray around. We would not be out in anything much more than F6 in open water.

As for whether I find it awkward to step over a bridgedeck, the answer is no. I am much more concerned about the security of my foothold on the top step, this for a typical aft-cockpit design. My boats have all had large top steps with secure barriers at each side. I have been on other boats, at sea and in boat shows, where there is nothing to stop your foot sliding into the adjacent sink, which looks like a recipe for a broken ankle.

 

[zoidberg]

I assume you have never been pooped?

There's no need for that sort of talk! This is a family forum.....:mad-new:

 

[Achosenman]

It serves a purpose, I don't give it a thought.

 

[Iliade]

My previous boats all had seating there. The new one just goes straight down to the cockpit grating. Self and the entire crew have fallen into the cockpit at least once as a result of the missing seat... ;0)

Does stop people blocking the companionway though.

 

[oldmanofthehills]

Our LM27 has no step or bridge deck. First thing I did when we bought her was fit low "washboard" across the doorway. Stops the slop running straight into cabin.

 

[UK-WOOZY]

my 1988 jeanneau sundream has this "step" too, so did the intro 22 i had before it

 

[Daydream believer]

I suppose if one did not have any upstand at all it would give a new meaning to " self draining cockpit".
One does not have to be "pooped" to get a good sloshing of water in the cockpit. I have often had heavy spray that has ended up with me standing in 9 inches of water on the low side. With no upstand this would have all gone below. Surely the omission of such a detail would be somewhat unsafe. One might question whether the RCD rules would require something to prevent some water going below.
Oh, for a nice modern boat with open transom!!