Deck saloon yachts

[Supertramp]

I would be interested to know how the Island Packet can be better compared to a catamaran.

I have sailed on Catamaran in the Caribean and can find very little to compare.

Perhaps you are not familiar with the SP Cruiser?

Specifically a cockpit in front of the wheelhouse and patio doors into the wheelhouse. Plus a hull shape that will struggle sailing to windward. But that's not to say its bad at all, just very different to a conventional pilothouse yacht. The one I have seen in Wales is a beautiful yacht and had been cruised to the Arctic. Great achievement in any yacht. Would love to go for a cruise on one.

No doubt the design would work in the Caribbean too where its accomodation features would be most welcome.

The important thing is for the OP to consider all possibilities and form their own opinions.

 

[ashtead]

Yes I don’t believe the OP has said where it is proposed to locate/use this shallow deck saloon yacht which might influence choice and viewing opportunities -clearly a shallow draft is offered by a number of variations but notwithstanding there demise I rather thought a used Southerly 38 would be well within budget provided you don’t mind twin rudders and it’s reversing habits even if a 42 was out of budget . Clear a Jeaneau fits the price point but maybe not the draft requirements?

 

[rotrax]

Specifically a cockpit in front of the wheelhouse and patio doors into the wheelhouse. Plus a hull shape that will struggle sailing to windward. But that's not to say its bad at all, just very different to a conventional pilothouse yacht. The one I have seen in Wales is a beautiful yacht and had been cruised to the Arctic. Great achievement in any yacht. Would love to go for a cruise on one.

No doubt the design would work in the Caribbean too where its accomodation features would be most welcome.

The important thing is for the OP to consider all possibilities and form their own opinions.

There are no patio doors on an SP Cruiser. It has a single narrow door slightly off the centre line of the vessel.

It does have a front cockpit, and very useful it is too, an ideal place to relax when on the hook or alongside plus when not in use a good safe area for storage. We have a boom tent, fitted cushions and a table to add a litle shade and comfort. It also has a rear cockpit. Two for the price of one. Sounds like a good deal to me! ?

As for a hull shape that will struggle to windward, that is why it has a sodding great engine - it is a Motorsailer after all.

The SP Cruiser you reference almost made the North West Passage.

As you say, a great achievement in any yacht that is for sure.

We cruise and live on ours for 4 or 5 months every season. No way would we go back to an aft cockpit yacht no matter how superior the sailing ability.

We have fifteen hundred quids worth of boots and oilies that have not been used for six seasons.

I am sure the OP will make up his own mind. Our choice suits First Mate and I very well. For sure it wont suit everybody.

 

[Supertramp]

There are no patio doors on an SP Cruiser. It has a single narrow door slightly off the centre line of the vessel.

It does have a front cockpit, and very useful it is too, an ideal place to relax when on the hook or alongside plus when not in use a good safe area for storage. We have a boom tent, fitted cushions and a table to add a litle shade and comfort. It also has a rear cockpit. Two for the price of one. Sounds like a good deal to me! ?

As for a hull shape that will struggle to windward, that is why it has a sodding great engine - it is a Motorsailer after all.

The SP Cruiser you reference almost made the North West Passage.

As you say, a great achievement in any yacht that is for sure.

We cruise and live on ours for 4 or 5 months every season. No way would we go back to an aft cockpit yacht no matter how superior the sailing ability.

We have fifteen hundred quids worth of boots and oilies that have not been used for six seasons.

I am sure the OP will make up his own mind. Our choice suits First Mate and I very well. For sure it wont suit everybody.

Well put and your choice makes sense to me. I did not mean to offend with the catamaran link - it's having a design and layout with living comfort at its centre that I thought they shared. There is a great deal to like in the SP/Sirius/Moody DS approach.