How do people deal with no headroom?

[My_Owd_Transom]

I'm considering buying my first boat, circa 23', after having sailed many boats of 34 foot and above for years. All the boats I've been on in the past have plenty of headroom for me at 6'1" so it's never been a consideration.

My initial thoughts about the 23'ish boats I've looked at have been that they all lack in headroom, some substantially more than others! The nicest boat I saw was typically the worst for headroom - a Westerly GK24. I basically stepped down the hatch and had to sit down left or right straight away. However on deck I loved the GK24 as it was a properly kitted out cruiser/racer and it had a fin keel.

So how much of a problem does a lack of headroom really cause? I'm planning south coast cruising both single handed and with a few mates on board, with the occasional pop across the channel if the weather is settled. The max I would spend on a boat would be a week.

1) Am I barking mad to buy a boat I can't stand up in? Do I need commiting for even considering the GK24?

2) Can anyone point me in the direction of a decent cruiser racer fin keel I could stand up in?

Thanks - Dave

 

[philiphurst]

I started off with a boat with limited headroom and learnt to live with it. Far from ideal but not too bad once you learn to duck. This, thankfully, seems to happen fairly quickly.

 

[aquaplane]

All boats are a compromise.

At 23' you are going to struggle to get 6'+ headroom and sparkling performance, one or the other but both is a big ask.

Some folk give up a bit of performance for a bit more comfort. Some folk will go for ultimate performance or ultimate comfort, you have to make your own mind up what to go for.

 

[EBoat126]

The E Boat at 22ft and completely flush deck probably has less headroom than a GK24, you learn to keep your head down (not such a problem for me at 5'6"). It's very beamy at 9ft so there is a surprising amount of room. We only really go below once in port I wouldn't want to have more than 2 on board for any length of time. We also have the keel box to squeeze past which I guess isn't an issue in a GK.

However one of the previous owners of our boat lived on her for 2 years travelling from the UK to Sweden and back, so it's doable.

 

[VicS]

I am 6ft. Headroom in my boat is ???? a bit less than 5 ft I guess.

You learn to do most things sitting (or kneeling) down, or standing with your head out of the hatch.
Getting trousers on is difficult if you cannot stand.
Peeing when unable to stand is a very unsatisfactory experience but the alfresco loo is always available.

Westerly Fulmar is not a bad cruiser racer with decent head room but is a bit longer than 23 ft


Footnote: there are exercises you can do for bad backs and slipped discs

 

[doug748]

Not too long ago limited headroom was the norm, so no, you would not be mad to buy the GK.
If you don't have a sprayhood on your chosen boat, I would get one, it is probably the single biggest improvement you can make to a small yacht. It often allows you to leave the hatch open when on a mooring in poor weather, lets you prapare food and inspect the charts standing up and also allows you to don your trousers in comfort.

 

[quimby]

Not too long ago limited headroom was the norm, so no, you would not be mad to buy the GK.
If you don't have a sprayhood on your chosen boat, I would get one, it is probably the single biggest improvement you can make to a small yacht. It often allows you to leave the hatch open when on a mooring in poor weather, lets you prapare food and inspect the charts standing up and also allows you to don your trousers in comfort.

Not of course forgetting that a cockpit tent can improve living space, when in port.

 

[machurley22]

It's really not an issue as others have already said. I'm 5'11" and sail a Hurley22. I normally sit to eat/drink/read and lie down to sleep and it's not as if there's anywhere to walk to on a boat of this size anyway.

For those jobs where you want to be standing there's plenty of headroom under the sprayhood with the hatch open. The Hurley is well designed for this since the sink is in the companionway step and you can stand and look out astern while doing the dishes. I swear it's the only time I enjoy washing up.

 

[Searush]

If you want headroom in a 23' r, buy a Pageant. They sail a lot better than their handicap which can be a big advantage when racing.

If you want single class racing or fast passage making, then you must go for one of the low profile cruiser/racing classes, & learn to do everything sitting down.

Seemples, you picks yer boat & pays yer money.

 

[nathanlee]

1) Am I barking mad to buy a boat I can't stand up in? Do I need commiting for even considering the GK24?
/QUOTE]

No, you do get used to it. I live on a boat MUCH smaller than a GK24.

Not wanting to be offensive, but my answer might be entirely different if you were "old" (make up your own figure for when that label applies ). Seriously though, I know that my 56 year old dad would destroy his back if he tried to spend any time on my boat, where as my late twenties/early thirties friends have no problem with it at all, apart from moaning a bit.

I've even had a small overnight cruise and cooked for 4 people. Kudu is essentially a 20ft boat, with 4' 6" headroom.

 

[rwoofer]

At 6'6" I draw the line when I don't have enough sitting room and there are plenty of boats under 25ft that I cannot sit in properly.

Having said that I have actually owned a boat I could not sit inside of, but fortunately I could lay down (just).

If you can't stand, sit or lay then you truly have the wrong boat!

 

[FWB]

"If you want to stand up, go on deck!" ....Uffa Fox

 

[elton]

If you want headroom in a 23' r, buy a Pageant.

Second that.

I'm just under 6'1'' and I can stand (or rather stoop) throughout my Pageant.

Took about year before I stopped banging my head every five minutes, but if you've got hair that should take the pain out of it.

 

[Achillesheel]

The Achilles 24 has 4'6" headroom. You get used to doing stuff sitting down, we have spent a week on her several times without difficulty.

Having said that, SWMBO is 4'10" in her socks, and in our first season on the boat she used to stand up in the boat, with head bowed, because she could. This did her back in so now like me she spends most of the time sat.

As has been said, you get used to it, and agreed the hardest thing is putting trousers on.

And also as has been said, you will be hard pressed to find a 23 footer with standing headroom. And if you do, it'll look like a shed.

SWMBO has just added that although she hated the lack of headroom at first, she now doesn't miss it. And nor do I.

 

[TamarMike]

On my previous boat I had to pick a gap between the deck beams just to SIT up!

 

[dylanwinter]

the only time you need to stand

the only time you need to stand is for cooking or at birdy bath time

the slug has the sink and the single ring under the hatch

perfect design

apart from the fact that its ugly, short and sails not very well

Dylan

 

[mcframe]

"If you want to stand up, go on deck!" ....Uffa Fox

"You can't stand up in a Rolls Royce [Cadillac], either" ... Bill Lear(jet)

 

[OGITD]

A Newbridge Voyager

Just how many times do I have to remind peeps that the Newbridge Voyager is 23' LOA with 6’ headroom.

 

[Ubergeekian]

Just how many times do I have to remind peeps that the Newbridge Voyager is 23' LOA with 6’ headroom.

Just like this, then?

 

[Bajansailor]

apart from the fact that its ugly, short and sails not very well

Dylan

As the saying goes, 'I resemble that remark'....... maybe thats why I happily fitted in on a 1 week cruise (from Southampton to Poole) on a wee Kingfisher 20+ (actually 22') with 4 others many moons ago. (my bunk was a sleeping bag on the cabin sole)

Luckily we had lovely sunny weather, so could keep the main hatch open - necessary for standing in the galley re cooking.
I only had a week of leave, and returned on the train - the others pottered back in their 2nd week.

Re the GK 24, some pals owned one, which I used to crew on (racing and an occasional cruise). He is 6'2", yet he happily went off each year for 2 weeks summer holiday cruising. He quickly learned how to not bash his noggin on the deckhead, especially as there was not much padding on top to soften the impact......