Question for Pilothouse-Sailing Boat owners

[Monika]

I have agreed to go crewing on a Nauticat 351 in the Baltic. I am very much a "fairweather" sailor and to be able to steer the boat inside in cold weather really appeals to me. But now comes the big "but", how convenient is it to steer inside, what is the visibility, can you actually have the sails up and does one get more seasick than in the cockpit?

 

[sarabande]

Lucky you !

Many of the external factors such as cold, rain, and dollops of the briny, which pre-dispose to seasickness, are indeed absent in a nice warm wheelhouse.

Chances are that you will have a better view of the horizon as well, and thta's a big calming influence on the stomach.

Problems .... smells of cooking, increased engine noise. Just about bearable if you can get some ventilation going.

Really elegant boat to try anyway !

 

[LadyInBed]

I wouldn't have thought that you (anyone) would do much steering on a boat like that - Autohelm rules OK!
You might need some warm clothes for standing up at the bow and peering into the fog /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
As for seasickness, I wouldn't know as I never have it.

 

[wingdiver]

Hi
We did a 1500 mile trip last summer. To be honest, the pilothouse on our motorsailer was a real boon when it was hot and also when it blew up to a Force 7/8!
90% of the time we were on Autopilot.
No worse for seasickness - unless there's diesel around down below!
That said, our pilothouse is more like a large wheelhouse with the galley and dining area in as well as the chart table, steering and instruments.
As far as I recall, the 351 is more like a deck saloon with a wheel down below. Rather less of a pilohouse than the 40 so the visibility may be less.

 

[[2574]]

Hi Monika,

I've a Nauticat 39 Pilot House yacht; I decided upon the Nauticat because of the ability to helm from both cockpit and saloon.

Nauticat's are designed for Baltic (cold weather) sailing and therefore are close to perfect for the purpose. Visibility from within the pilot house is fine; we can certainly sit a watch from the saloon. There are windows giving all around visibility and it is possible to see sail trim of both sails from inside. I don't do much helming from inside, its generally autopilot although we do have a (hydraulic) steering position so could steer if we needed to.

I haven't noticed a greater propensity to seasickness within the pilot house; I suspect it is because you can keep an eye to the horizon at all times whilst below decks. We find bacon butties a killer if in a lumpy sea - so we're careful what we are cooking! We'll often have the Eberspacher on whilst sailing but will have the companionway hatch open to keep fresh air circulating - so it's fleeces to keep warm rather than foulies.

How convenient is it to steer inside - well very convenient if its cold/wet outside! I actually like to helm the boat if its decent weather outside - otherwise we go in to what we call "Nauticat" mode and go down below to keep dry/warm.

We haven't yet sailed in the Baltic - but we're planning on taking our Finland made boat back home for a summer or two before heading south and west. I'm sure you'll have a great time in the Baltic; go for it!

rob

 

[Monika]

What a great forum and so many interesting answers. Thank you to all of you. I will now be much more looking forward to it, I was a bit anxious!