Does a wheelhouse sound attractive?

[ffiill]

My wheel house has a full roof;3/4 sides;windscreen and rear /door zip in panels.You can also remove the deck hatch.
Most of the time I leave the back panel in and I have yet to unclip the deck hatch.
Combine this with hydraulic steering with non return valves and I can let go the wheel and drink my cup of coffee whilst keeping warm and dry!
It was Bruce Roberts who commented as to how he could not understand why it was the desire of sailors in northern climes to sit out in an open cockpit!
Just read Allan Villiers on how the square rigger crews welcomed the advent of an enclosed steering position.

 

[Rivers & creeks]

With a young family it gives a safe dry place for young ones, when we're sailing the remote control self steering means we can steer from on deck. In an ideal world I'd extend the hydraulic steering to the aft deck and have a wheel there like the Nauticats do. Its biggest benefit by a mile is when you're not sailing, I've had a boat with a full cockpit tent and they're nice, but nothing comes close to the comfort of a wheelhouse, it's a proper extra saloon, draft free, warm in winter, high up, good view and no one walks through it when you're rafted up. I know it adds windage and you need windscreen wipers and they are generally on boats that don't cut the water like a knife but for family sailing they're flippin brilliant.

 

[BrianH]

Also, a wheelhouse should have windows that lean back in like a fishing boat.
What is the point in putting windows in it if they cannot be seen out of with a little spray or rain.

That's what we have windscreen wipers for.

But even with the raked-forward type, spray still reaches them and only vertical rain with no wind is avoided. I know from experience as my HR was made in both and I have the original, traditional raked-forward version. It's greatest attribute over the raked-back version is that there is less greenhouse area exposed in the hot sun, one of the further disadvantages of the fully-enclosed deckhouse versions if you take them to the Med.

 

[jac]

Yes!

Have always rather liked the idea of wheelhouse/ doghouse or pilothouse but they never seem to be on boats that sail well.

I fully accept that they add windage but the rest of the issues can be dealt with - e.g. a fairly high aft cockpit as it will only be used in good conditions etc which then gives you a good aft cabin and great visibility forward.

However, I don't think that I have ever seen a boat with a wheelhouse that could be considered sporty. They all seem to be moderate to heavy displacement , low aspect foils and rig, smallish sail area, tubby hulls etc. great for the overall comfort factor but end up being average at motoring, average at sailing and not as comfortable as a house.

My preference would be for a high aft cockpit to give vis a small pilothouse with interior helm, nav station, somewhere to sit, but separate from the living bit of the boat, light to moderate displacement, generous sail area and a hull shape that will go to windward in a blow.

 

[Wansworth]

Have always rather liked the idea of wheelhouse/ doghouse or pilothouse but they never seem to be on boats that sail well.

I fully accept that they add windage but the rest of the issues can be dealt with - e.g. a fairly high aft cockpit as it will only be used in good conditions etc which then gives you a good aft cabin and great visibility forward.

However, I don't think that I have ever seen a boat with a wheelhouse that could be considered sporty. They all seem to be moderate to heavy displacement , low aspect foils and rig, smallish sail area, tubby hulls etc. great for the overall comfort factor but end up being average at motoring, average at sailing and not as comfortable as a house.

My preference would be for a high aft cockpit to give vis a small pilothouse with interior helm, nav station, somewhere to sit, but separate from the living bit of the boat, light to moderate displacement, generous sail area and a hull shape that will go to windward in a blow.

I agree,there is no reason that a proper wheelhous e cannot be on top of a modern hull.....I would add whilst at it prevision for a proper dinghyon deck amidships!

 

[Blueboatman]

Aye to all the above .. But... It is brilliant to be able to lay the dodger down flat and just go for a sail 'bald headed' with nowt but a silly hat for protection from the er scorching elements.. Not today obviously

 

[chubby]

Once in a while in really good summer weather I would like an open cockpit but the number of days when we really appreciate a wheel house far outweigh them, ours is open at the back and enclosed with a canvas canopy with flaps that fold up, the main advantage is in harbour or at anchor when you can sit in the wheelhouse in your PJs with a mug of tea and survey the surroundings from the shelter of the wheelhouse so we dont feel cooped up even in bad weather. If I really need nore fresh air I sit outside the wheelhouse with the remote for the autopilot round my neck!

We usually sail with the canopy folded up for better visibility but we can use the radar as a rainfall radar and get the canopy up in seconds if a shower is coming, I susppose i could just wear ollies....

 

[Tomahawk]

Thanks Tomahawk.. we do enjoy writing the blogs and there is a beer in the fridge for when you catch us up.

When the First Officer saw your invitation it put a smile on her face.. Where do you think you will be come the winter for that beer?? We have no firm idea at present as to where we plan to be except that we want to be south and preferable inside Gib.. (warmer we hope)..

My friend has a bimini made up by a lady in Villamora at a good price.. (he is a terrible skinflint and won't spend money if he can avoid it)

 

[Nostrodamus]

When the First Officer saw your invitation it put a smile on her face.. Where do you think you will be come the winter for that beer?? We have no firm idea at present as to where we plan to be except that we want to be south and preferable inside Gib.. (warmer we hope)..

My friend has a bimini made up by a lady in Villamora at a good price.. (he is a terrible skinflint and won't spend money if he can avoid it)

We don't even know where we will be tomorrow let alone in winter which is the beauty of this life but cruisers have a habit of bumping into each other.

 

[Heckler]

Got any pictures?

PM me an email address and Ill send some, cant be arsed loading them up to a website and then linking them!
Stu