One level living

[Judders]

I'm pondering the problems of a friend who would like to buy a yacht but both he and his crew struggle with companion ways, amongst other things. Indeed there are an interesting array of challenges with these two (although happilly budget is not one of them). The one I'm struggling with though is true 'one level living'. Like many people, they didn't like the look of the new (so called) Moody.

My first thought was Southerly but there is quite a step to get over into the DS.

What other ideas have people got? Nauticat?

Obviously multihulls will come up too.

 

[stevebrassett]

If they struggle with companionways, how are they intending to get on and off the boat? Gangplank? Catamaran seems the obvious answer.

 

[jeremyshaw]

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Catamaran seems the obvious answer.

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Indeed. Cats are generally easier to board too, as most have transom steps. Even on a cat they will need to get up and down into the hulls - some cats have more comfortable arrangements for this than others.

You've probably thought of all this but do they have much experience of sailing? If not a couple of weeks bareboat charter would be sensible so they can be sure they will be comfortable.

Even then, and as ever with boats, it's not the 90% of time when things are fine that matters, it's being able to hack it when the going gets tough...

 

[snowleopard]

There have been a few one-offs designed for people in wheelchairs. Cats are not generally the answer - many models have saloon, galley and charts at bridgedeck level but I've never seen one with a head at that level. I would like to take disabled people on my boat but that problem means short trips only.

 

[boatbuilder]

Google Multimarine composites and see what they have made in this field.