Seeing Out - Why is not more popular!! Deck Saloons
- Thread starter roblpm
- Start date
maby
Well-known member
Moody Deck Saloon? It's a mighty ugly beast but, having been on one, I think I could develop a blind spot for its looks...
maby
Well-known member
We're just about to get a cockpit enclosure fitted to ours - looking forward to being able to relax in that massive cockpit on bright winters days. Also will make up for the total lack of wet lockers in modern boats!
wully1
Well-known member
It's not the boats capabilities I'm concerned about.... I get no joy whatsoever from being thrown about in a big sea- I grew out of that a long time ago. ( also slightly worried about the windows... )
wully1
Well-known member
There are plenty of much fuglier boats out there.....and I think she only looks out or proportion from beam on- which I cant see what Im sailing and generally don't see when I row away from her at anchor.
( I also thin the Beneteau 'Sense' makes none whatsoever. Well, not as a boat in this country. Would be nice in the Med though- where most saily boats these days seem to be more at home.
Last edited:
michael_w
Well-known member
The Southerlys and the Regina and others of that ilk stuff the saloon seating into the space contained within the coachroof. The result is a cramped saloon with a surfit of stowage underneath the sidedecks. Often the seating is on one side only, a bit like Leanardo's Last Supper. (if you want to be in the picture, you have to sit on the same side of the table!).
The alternative, as practiced by Oyster is to regard the raised coachroof as a clerestory, giving light and space. For steering in dirty weather, hide under the spray hood with the autopilot controls close to hand.
The alternative, as practiced by Oyster is to regard the raised coachroof as a clerestory, giving light and space. For steering in dirty weather, hide under the spray hood with the autopilot controls close to hand.
Stingo
Well-known member
Get a catamaran.
maby
Well-known member
A Sense in southern England works fine - we have far less rain that we actually believe we do! The cockpit enclosure is more to keep the sun off than the rain. I sit in my cockpit well into the autumn and winter working.
pmagowan
Well-known member
Yes, I like the idea of it but I can't find a scenario where the compromised would not be too great for me. I don't like the seating arrangement with one side of the table unused. I don't like how it wastes space and prevents good access to aft cabins. I don't like the high superstructure or the elevated weight distribution. I worry about large windows in a significant sea etc.
I like the idea of having the cockpit seating going right round all 4 sides so that you effectively have a seat under the sprayhood, in the gangway, looking forward. You could easily create autopilot access from here and you would be able to see the chart table and plotter. You would be warm and dry. Get a good cover for the cockpit and when you arrive somewhere and conditions are less tha perfect you can create a spacious and semi-outdoor arrangment for dining. You could even have a heater vent to the helm position. When the weather is so shonet that you can't cope outdoors then down below in the ambience of candles and oil lamps will be quite adequate. After all, it is a boat not a gin palace!
maby
Well-known member
You don't go out in big seas - you stay safely moored in a quiet bay or estuary and enjoy the views through those big windows!
wully1
Well-known member
Exactly. Wearing slippers. With something nice slowly cooking in the oven.
I just wish there was space for a Reflex heater instead of the Eberspacher..
I'm off out in the next hour or so. The northerlies are due to stay for a few more days and I'm not looking forward to the beat I'll need to do for my cruise plan. It's going to be chilly, but do I care?
maby
Well-known member
Quite coincidentally, I'm sitting in our Sense wearing slippers right now!
Something nice was slow cooking in the oven earlier and I've been working all day - far more enjoyable than sitting in the office! It's just started raining hard and my cat has beaten a retreat from the cockpit and is sitting scrunched up in the box that serves as his bed - how can you get better?roblpm
Well-known member
Crikey whats a clerestory? Sounds great, I want one!!
pcatterall
Well-known member
On a similar note I have considered raising the 'dinette' side of my saloon so when sitting we can see outside. Downside is reduced headroom when getting in and out of seats but a plus is the extra storage
AntarcticPilot
Well-known member
High level windows to improve the lighting. Many churches have them above the pillars in the nave.
Colvic Watson
Well-known member
There's bit of misunderstanding about deck saloons and wheelhouses. For us as a young family, there is nothing that comes close to a wheelhouse. It's the hub of life on board, on a nice day there's the aft deck to use as a cockpit but we love passages in the wheelhouse, people come and go, take a turn on watch - fun for all if it's the 3 year old A child will have a snooze of have a go at the chute winch; food and drink is passed up from the galley; everyone wears shorts and t shirts, except in December when maybe a pullover as well. On a hot day with the doors and all the windows open is a great place but not as good as a cockpit on a perfect day.
A bit of a chill? No one moves, it's a nice place to be, a bit of rain? No one moves, it's a nice place to be. Children are safe and involved in navigation and piloting. The view all around is awesome and at anchor there's nothing like it.
One day we may have another boat, one thing it will have is a wheelhouse. Sure it adds windage, it gets hot on a blistering day no matter how many windows you have open and windows need a wipe down after salt spray has dried. But there nothing like it. Maybe one day Ben/Jen/Bav will realise how family friendly it is and do a range with them. I doubt it, meanwhile a good high pilothouse or a wheelhouse is a well kept secret.
A child will have a snooze of have a go at the chute winch; food and drink is passed up from the galley; everyone wears shorts and t shirts, except in December when maybe a pullover as well. On a hot day with the doors and all the windows open is a great place but not as good as a cockpit on a perfect day.A bit of a chill? No one moves, it's a nice place to be, a bit of rain? No one moves, it's a nice place to be. Children are safe and involved in navigation and piloting. The view all around is awesome and at anchor there's nothing like it.
One day we may have another boat, one thing it will have is a wheelhouse. Sure it adds windage, it gets hot on a blistering day no matter how many windows you have open and windows need a wipe down after salt spray has dried. But there nothing like it. Maybe one day Ben/Jen/Bav will realise how family friendly it is and do a range with them. I doubt it, meanwhile a good high pilothouse or a wheelhouse is a well kept secret.
Daydream believer
Well-known member
I assume you are referring to the Hanse built Moody
If so you are right about looks!!!:ambivalence:
Boathook
Well-known member
What about a Cat? I can be below in mine and see all round or in the wheelhouse ...............
roblpm
Well-known member
I have vague notions of going across the North sea, to the faroes etc and the received wisdom on here is that i will capsize and die within minutes of leaving port in a cat!!
I think the answer is 5-10 years of the north Atlantic in a coffin
Then a tradewind circumnavigation in a cat!!
Caer Urfa
Well-known member
Hi Rob You can be a dreamer all your life but for value for money get yourself a real offshore boat, a Colvic Watson, larger sizes come as 28'-6",31'-6" or a 34'-6", if you like 'real sailing' don't buy the AC version (aft cabin), if you think and hear they are slow then you have never sailed one !!
BUT, do your home work if you decide to view one!
Good luck
Mike
Other threads that may be of interest
