HR 40C

[richardbrennan]

I have recently read/watched the YM article/video on this new boat. In many ways it appears to be a real stunner, which is what you would expect for half a million quid.

However, I was very surprised to see that there is only one heads, and this is at the forward end of the saloon away from the owner's cabin. HR seem to have gone instead for what can only be described as a sumptuous galley that would not disgrace many houses, but I cannot help thinking that not having an ensuite for the owners is rather flying against current trends in a 40 foot boat.

I am sure HR have done their market research, but what do other forumites think?

 

[dolabriform]

I have recently read/watched the YM article/video on this new boat. In many ways it appears to be a real stunner, which is what you would expect for half a million quid.

However, I was very surprised to see that there is only one heads, and this is at the forward end of the saloon away from the owner's cabin. HR seem to have gone instead for what can only be described as a sumptuous galley that would not disgrace many houses, but I cannot help thinking that not having an ensuite for the owners is rather flying against current trends in a 40 foot boat.

I am sure HR have done their market research, but what do other forumites think?

Maybe I'm missing something, but having only one heads forward means that anyone coming below in wet foulies is going to traipse through the boat to get to the heads.

 

[richardbrennan]

That's absolutely correct and is pointed out in the article.

 

[dolabriform]

That's absolutely correct and is pointed out in the article.

I must admit I've looked at the article and not bothered to read it fully yet !

 

[richardbrennan]

To be fair, there is a wet locker at the bottom of the companion way steps.

 

[scruff]

Looking at the sail handling layout, which looks to be all accessible from the helm, it would appear the boat is set up to predominantly be sailed by a couple with occasional guests.

This is something I thought I'd never say, but I think I prefer the new Bene First 53 also released at Boot Dusseldorf. Broadly irrelevant either way as I suspect I won't be dropping half a mil on a yacht any time soon.

 

[johnalison]

We don't get wet in HRs. We cower under the hood.

40 is on the small side for having two heads I would have thought, or at least without compromising the habitability in other ways. People's habits differ and some may prefer one really good head/shower to two small ones. I did once meet a chap who had previously owned an HR but changed to a Moody in order to have two heads because he sailed with 4 blokes on board with varying degrees of bladder malfunction. I got the impression that he would have preferred 4 heads.

 

[mainsail1]

My Warrior 40 has two heads, one forward and one aft. The forward one has a shower stall and the aft one is a bit more basic but both are wonderfully useful. It also has four cabins and a main saloon. Brilliant design. I would not want a 39 foot boat with just one head.

 

[[3889]]

I think two heads becomes an issue if you regularly have guests - especially those of a terrestrial bent. For a cruising couple, which I suspect is HR's target market, the space can be used more effectively. As to dripping water from their persons, do HR crews suffer such indignities?

 

[johnalison]

I think two heads becomes an issue if you regularly have guests - especially those of a terrestrial bent. For a cruising couple, which I suspect is HR's target market, the space can be used more effectively. As to dripping water from their persons, do HR crews suffer such indignities?

HRs mostly have carpets. This means that taking salt water below is not ideal. Luckily most HR cockpits are pretty dry in normal sailing conditions and the wrap round from the windscreen and sprayhood is fairly generous. My 34 has the heads aft but the 36 has heads forward and they seem to manage happily enough. We are not a particularly dignified bunch, though. It's just a facade.

 

[pvb]

I have recently read/watched the YM article/video on this new boat. In many ways it appears to be a real stunner, which is what you would expect for half a million quid.

However, I was very surprised to see that there is only one heads, and this is at the forward end of the saloon away from the owner's cabin. HR seem to have gone instead for what can only be described as a sumptuous galley that would not disgrace many houses, but I cannot help thinking that not having an ensuite for the owners is rather flying against current trends in a 40 foot boat.

I am sure HR have done their market research, but what do other forumites think?

As you've already acknowledged, there's a handy wet locker. I think the HR40C is stunning, a very clever design, and I'd have one in a heartbeat. Remember that a 40 footer is a fairly small boat for an HR, and it's no doubt aimed at couples who might very occasionally have guests.

 

[dunedin]

For me two heads in a 40 footer is a waste of space, but having to pass through the boat in wet gear would be a real no-no.

For me the stern cockpit HR412 is a much more appealing boat - and can have rear heads or twin heads options ...
Hallberg-Rassy 412

 

[rotrax]

To be fair, there is a wet locker at the bottom of the companion way steps.

But can you piss in it?

 

[richardbrennan]

I suppose you could if the mood took you! A bit more difficult for the ladies!!

 

[pvb]

I suppose you could if the mood took you! A bit more difficult for the ladies!!

I thought we had equality these days?

 

[Daydream believer]

I thought we had equality these days?

Yes we have. ---They can clean it up afterwards

Extra heads need regular cleaning & just creates extra work. The wet locker is a far better option.( no, not for relieving ones self!!)

 

[westhinder]

For me two heads in a 40 footer is a waste of space, but having to pass through the boat in wet gear would be a real no-no.

Absolutely agree.
Besides, I would not want to go sailing with people who object to using the same toilet as us. I have never understood this ‘en suite guest cabin’ idea.

 

[rotrax]

Our current boat has a forward " Jack and Jill " heads - accessible from both the owners stateroom and the guest/crew cabin.

We have a load of valuable wet weather gear/seaboots/hats etc in a locker but as we also have a fully enclosed wheelhouse with side by side seating at the wheel, the only time it has seen serious action since owning this boat is when mooring in the pissing rain.

So, not ALL forward heads are a disaster!

 

[bbg]

But can you piss in it?

That's what the cockpit is for, as long as it is self draining.

 

[SaltyC]

The 'extra large' galley is an option, although the extra space then goes into the cockpit locker not an aft heads. After having a heads at the foot of the companion way and now having it forward (as they all tended to be when I started sailing) was initially inconvenient, particularly to my wife as it means longer down below, we have however got used to it, a long trek from the aft cabin at night but hey ho! As johnalison says, we don't tend to get wet as cowering under the sprayhood. My personal thoughts are a wet locker is far more useful than a second heads when sailing mostly as a couple. Still not convinced on the twin rudders with no prop wash, but a couple of thrusters take care of berthing.