Fergus
Well-Known Member
Looking to upgrade - anyone have any opinions? My only concern is the lack of a sprayhood combined with a fairly shallow cockpit might leave my slightly-built SWMBO a bit exposed to the elements!
Sweden 41?
- Thread starter Fergus
- Start date
TigaWave
Well-Known Member
I sailed a 38 for quite a few miles, with just a small hood over the hatch area, and my last boat had no spray hood and similar deck/cockpit to the Sweden 41.
We never found it a problem, as these boats are quite dry boats with plenty of freeboard. As you're steering from the back you're pretty exposed to the elements when it's horrible any how so good water proofs and having the heating going so you can go downstairs and warm up/dry off worked for us.
If it's that bad stay put until the sun comes out or head West and South?
We never found it a problem, as these boats are quite dry boats with plenty of freeboard. As you're steering from the back you're pretty exposed to the elements when it's horrible any how so good water proofs and having the heating going so you can go downstairs and warm up/dry off worked for us.
If it's that bad stay put until the sun comes out or head West and South?
gardenshed
Well-Known Member
The Sweden 41 is a fantastic solidly built cruiser but with the bridge deck/hatch arrangement, it will be very difficult to get a sprayhood that protects the forward area of the cockpit.
I hate the things (ugly, restrict forward visibilty, get in the way of deck gear etc) but sailing with 3 youngish kids, I have to say that the on deck shelter is worth the trouble.
My boat had a small hood that covered the hatch only but changing to the full width sprayhood has made a lot of difference. As a place to put sunglasses, binos, handheld, shelter the kids, keep the rain out when parked, shelter when bashing up wind......worth the hassle.
It can be easily removed if necessary
There are a few other boats of the vintage/style that you are contemplating that should do the business for you. All depends on the money that you want to spend.
Another consideration is the style of the stern. The more modern stern with the bathing platform can make a lot of difference, depending on the type of boarding ladder that you fit. Getting on/off from the dinghy or recovering a man overboard is a lot easier if you can get low to the water with the more open style of transom.
One thing is for sure, whatever you buy, there will be lots of folks who will say "oh, I wouldn't have bought that....."
I hate the things (ugly, restrict forward visibilty, get in the way of deck gear etc) but sailing with 3 youngish kids, I have to say that the on deck shelter is worth the trouble.
My boat had a small hood that covered the hatch only but changing to the full width sprayhood has made a lot of difference. As a place to put sunglasses, binos, handheld, shelter the kids, keep the rain out when parked, shelter when bashing up wind......worth the hassle.
It can be easily removed if necessary
There are a few other boats of the vintage/style that you are contemplating that should do the business for you. All depends on the money that you want to spend.
Another consideration is the style of the stern. The more modern stern with the bathing platform can make a lot of difference, depending on the type of boarding ladder that you fit. Getting on/off from the dinghy or recovering a man overboard is a lot easier if you can get low to the water with the more open style of transom.
One thing is for sure, whatever you buy, there will be lots of folks who will say "oh, I wouldn't have bought that....."
