How Safe are Windows in the Hull

[Wansworth]

Maybe it’s time for a design completion like the magazines used to run.There would have to be different categories I think as the population has changed.Cruising yacht for agile yachtsmen,cruising yachts for older not so agile …….in reference to the ever increasing height of freeboard or pointy ends restricting anchour work ……good engine access and access to tankage

 

[[194497]]

The other side of design is just plain cost - if you want to sail offshore, you can buy a Rival 32 for £10k or a big modern boat for a number with five zeros after it. Unsurprisingly, the modern boat would be faster and more comfortable, but the Rival would still be capable, so in that sense an older boats has a higher ratio of seaworthiness to purchase price.

 

[awol]

Good lord! Now my original thread querying the probable dramatisation of an RNLI rescue has morphed into AWB vs MAB. Not sure how it avoided denigrating the RNLI or criticising the anchor choice in passing. One thing I've learned is Sailing Instructions for races in the south don't require Rule 77 adherence.

And the reason many MABs are sailed single-handed is because one can. Squeezing past a wheel to operate genoa winches or coachroof mainsheets is a total pain without an autopilot and what's the point of that? Maybe why so many AWBs collect weed in marinas while MABs are out sailing.

 

[lustyd]

that doesn't mean that we can't make valid criticisms of others' choices, at least when it comes to boats.

I think it's all a bit of good fun. Valid would be in the eye of the beholder regardless, as I'm quite certain your thoughts when writing this post didn't align with what I respond below:

I could not cope with a cockpit that felt insecure and without a comfortable helm position for a start

We generally don't go near the helm on passage, so our comfortable helm position is on the cushions in the cockpit. Occasionally I'll check our course and position on one of the plotters or a phone and adjust the autopilot accordingly. I don't usually step behind the helm for this. As such, the wheel may as well be out of the way at the stern, making the "helm position" even more comfortable.

I wouldn't want an awkward and unsafe companionway.

Agree completely, and many more modern designs have lovely shallow, wide, and deep steps. I was on a new Jeanneau recently where it was actually easier to walk down forwards while holding the handrails than to go backwards.

For me, I would absolutely need to be able to reach the sheets from the helm

I rarely have a need to tack that urgently, and when we do tack it's either with autopilot or two people so sheet position is less important. I do agree they ought to be somewhere sensible, although a lot of modern designs put them out of the way, next to the twin helms which means crew can no longer manage the sheets from the cockpit while the helm steers. This leads to a weird tack where each of two people manage a sheet and a wheel, and both sheet and wheel are swapped during the tack. Not a problem, I'm sure, but it is odd to me.

decent hand-holds inside would also be essential.

Interestingly I've never used a single handhold on my boat in 5 years down below. She doesn't heel much at all if properly reefed, and even in very rough weather movement is pretty easy despite the relatively spacious saloon. I'm never opposed to hand holds, but we've not needed any so I'd argue a good modern design can reduce this requirement. I've been on older and more racey designs where they were essential though, as well as some modern designs that had too little keel.

I have no need for a massive amount of space, providing it was adequate,

The space isn't for me, it's to attract a mate! Same for the shower, ice box, and king sized bed.

 

[Supertramp]

If it puts a smile on your face you will forgive its foibles (with or without hull windows).

 

[noelex]

Interestingly I've never used a single handhold on my boat in 5 years down below.

 

[doug748]

If it puts a smile on your face you will forgive its foibles (with or without hull windows).

Indeed.

The point is that everyone has preferences but not everyone needs to say that their preferences are better than anybody else (they may be or not be but it's a very difficult and subjective area). Most adults have empathy

It looks childish to say the other blokes unseen boat is "smelly" not heard it since primary school days. In fact, students of Jean Piaget's work may see it as a sign of interrupted mental development:

"Egocentrism in children refers to the child’s inability to see a situation from another person’s point of view. The egocentric child assumes that other people see, hear, and feel exactly the same as they do. In their world, it’s “all about me” most of the time".

It's also linked to autism. Just saying like.

.

 

[lustyd]

It looks childish to say the other blokes unseen boat is "smelly" not heard it since primary school days

It’s a well worn topic here, it wasn’t an accusation.

 

[lustyd]

I can’t tell what this is for? Surely a good thing to not need them.

 

[Concerto]

We generally don't go near the helm on passage, so our comfortable helm position is on the cushions in the cockpit. Occasionally I'll check our course and position on one of the plotters or a phone and adjust the autopilot accordingly. I don't usually step behind the helm for this. As such, the wheel may as well be out of the way at the stern, making the "helm position" even more comfortable.

As I sail singlehanded I also have to rely on my autopilot. This is a Raymarine EV100 Tiller. It is substantial and rated for a slightly larger boat. However during my round Britain trip in 2022, I had the forward 6mm bolt for the under tiller arm shear and the locating pin shear. Yes, I sail in strong winds but these failures should never have happened. The only backup I have for the autopilot is a tiller clutch, and I also broke the outer sheath for this after one bolt broke. Perhaps you might enjoy my report made on the same day this happened. Just read post #1 in this thread.

Round Britain day 43

Maybe you only sail in calmer weather, but to me a safe and comfortable cockpit is essential in any boat. I wonder what you would do if your autopilot failed? Remove the cushions? Seriously how often is occasionally to check for other boats, buoys, fishing floats, etc? Your statement reminded me of on large boat I came across on autopilot, and both owners were sitting on cushions and facing aft whilst reading books. The shock on their faces when I passed close by their stern is something I will never forget. Hope they learnt a lesson in watch keeping.

 

[lustyd]

Maybe you only sail in calmer weather

No, i think we just have a calmer boat.

If you can’t keep a watch while away from the helm thats on you and says nothing about our seamanship.

 

[Wansworth]

As I sail singlehanded I also have to rely on my autopilot. This is a Raymarine EV100 Tiller. It is substantial and rated for a slightly larger boat. However during my round Britain trip in 2022, I had the forward 6mm bolt for the under tiller arm shear and the locating pin shear. Yes, I sail in strong winds but these failures should never have happened. The only backup I have for the autopilot is a tiller clutch, and I also broke the outer sheath for this after one bolt broke. Perhaps you might enjoy my report made on the same day this happened. Just read post #1 in this thread.

Round Britain day 43

Maybe you only sail in calmer weather, but to me a safe and comfortable cockpit is essential in any boat. I wonder what you would do if your autopilot failed? Remove the cushions? Seriously how often is occasionally to check for other boats, buoys, fishing floats, etc? Your statement reminded me of on large boat I came across on autopilot, and both owners were sitting on cushions and facing aft whilst reading books. The shock on their faces when I passed close by their stern is something I will never forget. Hope they learnt a lesson in watch keeping.

Excellent!