Cruising boats with large, open transoms - why?

[Ric]

I really like a lot of features of the RM Yachts, but one feature that really doesn't appeal at all is the wide open transom. What is the market appeal of this feature? I can understand that on a heavily crewed hard-driven racing yacht in the southern oceans that an open transom might be useful for evacuating waves that come over the bows - but what is the point on a (admittedly fast) cruising yacht? It just looks like a death-trap to me. The helming position (on the twin wheel boats) also looks positively perilous.

 

[prv]

The cockpit (of the 1070 at least) is also very wide without much to hold onto when moving around.

Pete

 

[johnalison]

I can understand an open transom with a flap that folds up and covers it, like some Bavarias, but an open space seems like an invitation to lose items of gear and crew. I'd need to wear a life jacket permanently.

 

[sailorman]

I can understand an open transom with a flap that folds up and covers it, like some Bavarias, but an open space seems like an invitation to lose items of gear and crew. I'd need to wear a life jacket permanently.

And the new Benny 35 is just as bad, no helm seat & 2 long wires across the wide transom, its also very tippy

 

[theoldsalt]

I don't think they are suitable as family "cruising" yachts. Certainly not "child friendly"

 

[Daydream believer]

It is why French boats sell better than UK ones - they are user friendly in harbour for rear exit & when anchored for that Mediterranean swim
Not having a locker at the rear also increases the perception of a large cockpit
As for no seat- the idea is that one sits to the weather or lea of the boat to get better view. It is not meant to be like driving a car

 

[Ric]

It is why French boats sell better than UK ones - they are user friendly in harbour for rear exit & when anchored for that Mediterranean swim
Not having a locker at the rear also increases the perception of a large cockpit
As for no seat- the idea is that one sits to the weather or lea of the boat to get better view. It is not meant to be like driving a car

The problem with a lot of them is that they are just too wide and not a lot to hold on to. I really wouldn't fancy helming this on a stormy night. Sitting on that weather helm seat would be positively perilous - one big lurch of the boat and you would have a long way to tumble down to the lee rail. Just moving about the cockpit would need crampons.

 

[ex-Gladys]

Sailing a Jeanneau 36i a few years back with a bit of 1" hardwood strip down the middle of the cockpit focussed the mind when a gust hit....

 

[LadyInBed]

I parked up near one a couple of times in France ths year and admired them, but it isn't my idea of a cruising yacht.

 

[Spirit of Glenans]

I really like a lot of features of the RM Yachts, but one feature that really doesn't appeal at all is the wide open transom. What is the market appeal of this feature? I can understand that on a heavily crewed hard-driven racing yacht in the southern oceans that an open transom might be useful for evacuating waves that come over the bows - but what is the point on a (admittedly fast) cruising yacht? It just looks like a death-trap to me. The helming position (on the twin wheel boats) also looks positively perilous.

They're French. Need I say more?

 

[Spirit of Glenans]

The problem with a lot of them is that they are just too wide and not a lot to hold on to. I really wouldn't fancy helming this on a stormy night. Sitting on that weather helm seat would be positively perilous - one big lurch of the boat and you would have a long way to tumble down to the lee rail. Just moving about the cockpit would need crampons.

Those who have been on Cruising Courses will have learned that one should always wear a lifejacket when on deck, tie on in rough weather at the skipper's discretion, and always at night.

 

[Spirit of Glenans]

I parked up near one a couple of times in France ths year and admired them, but it isn't my idea of a cruising yacht.

I sailed on an RM1060 belonging to Les Glenans, which they based in Ireland about four years ago. It had many impressive features including a separate systems control space, but even in it's first season the interior cabinetry was beginning to deteriorate to an alarming degree. IKEA- style furniture is not best suited to a sailing school boat

 

[prv]

Those who have been on Cruising Courses will have learned that one should always wear a lifejacket when on deck

I've heard it suggested that an inflated lifejacket can be used as a splint for a broken leg, but it seems better not to sustain one (by falling from one side of the deck to the other) in the first place.

Pete

 

[sailorman]

It is why French boats sell better than UK ones - they are user friendly in harbour for rear exit & when anchored for that Mediterranean swim
Not having a locker at the rear also increases the perception of a large cockpit
As for no seat- the idea is that one sits to the weather or lea of the boat to get better view. It is not meant to be like driving a car

I sit in my cockpit NOT on it

 

[maby]

Why? Because they are fantastic for swimming, launching the SUP or wind surfer, fishing and pumping up the dinghy. Also good for entertaining - we have plenty of room to throw a dinner party in the cockpit. It's probably a reflection of the changing face of "Cruising" - we coast-hop, not willingly going out in much more than a Force 4 to 5 and seldom going more than 10 miles off-shore. The boat is a platform for waterborne living rather than an end in itself.

 

[johnalison]

Why? Because they are fantastic for swimming, launching the SUP or wind surfer, fishing and pumping up the dinghy. Also good for entertaining - we have plenty of room to throw a dinner party in the cockpit. It's probably a reflection of the changing face of "Cruising" - we coast-hop, not willingly going out in much more than a Force 4 to 5 and seldom going more than 10 miles off-shore. The boat is a platform for waterborne living rather than an end in itself.

You must be right. It is probably why we managed to cross the North Sea twice this year without seeing a single other yacht.

 

[prv]

Why? Because they are fantastic for swimming, launching the SUP or wind surfer, fishing and pumping up the dinghy.

True. But personally I'd rather have the drop-down flap design. That gives you even more water's edge real-estate when it's down, and less of a gaping hole when it's up. There are certainly other aspects of the RM that I like, so if I were in the market for a new boat I would at least consider the possibility of getting someone like Osmotec to build and retro-fit a transom flap.

Pete

 

[Spyro]

Why? Because they are fantastic for swimming, launching the SUP or wind surfer, fishing and pumping up the dinghy. Also good for entertaining - we have plenty of room to throw a dinner party in the cockpit. It's probably a reflection of the changing face of "Cruising" - we coast-hop, not willingly going out in much more than a Force 4 to 5 and seldom going more than 10 miles off-shore. The boat is a platform for waterborne living rather than an end in itself.

You've got it spot on there. Some will never get over their Contessas or Centaurs.

 

[maby]

You've got it spot on there. Some will never get over their Contessas or Centaurs.

There is a place for both and there are plenty of modern cruising yachts that follow the traditional style more closely. We are never going to cross the Atlantic and if we were to go to Spain, we would coast hop down western France rather than sail in a straight line across Biscay. If the weather is looking at all dodgy, we will stay in port till it clears.

 

[johnalison]

If you want an open transom, you could try this chap's solution to the lack of seating. He's got landing flaps as well.