Twin double cabin / heads boat options

[Dutch01527]

My wife would squeeze into a tiny private head as opposed to share a luxury commodious bathroom. Makes no sense to me but it is her choice and I respect that. If I have learnt anything from 25 years of marrige it is that there is not a lot of point me challenging that type of opinion anyway.

I will look at the helpful recommendations made on this thread and decide if they suit our needs and budget. If not I will reassess spec and/or budget. Fundamental if I can keep my dear lady happy I get to sail more???.

 

[Tranona]

My wife would squeeze into a tiny private head as opposed to share a luxury commodious bathroom. Makes no sense to me but it is her choice and I respect that. If I have learnt anything from 25 years of marrige it is that there is not a lot of point me challenging that type of opinion anyway.

I will look at the helpful recommendations made on this thread and decide if they suit our needs and budget. If not I will reassess spec and/or budget. Fundamental if I can keep my dear lady happy I get to sail more???.

Appreciate the need to keep the other half happy. However, maybe a little experience of spending time on a boat will show the wisdom of having one large toilet compartment on a smallish boat - even if one has to share with others (but hopefully not at the same time!).

 

[RupertW]

Appreciate the need to keep the other half happy. However, maybe a little experience of spending time on a boat will show the wisdom of having one large toilet compartment on a smallish boat - even if one has to share with others (but hopefully not at the same time!).

For some people perhaps, but two heads even if small are far preferable to my wife and actually to me too when we have another couple (plus kids sometimes) on board. They have theirs, we have ours and it's all a lot more civilised. And we've come to that conclusion after over 30 years on many different boats (4 owned and at least a dozne charters or deliveries) so plenty of time to see the alternatives.

It's part of the difference between camping out and roughing it, and being on your floating second home.

 

[Dutch01527]

Appreciate the need to keep the other half happy. However, maybe a little experience of spending time on a boat will show the wisdom of having one large toilet compartment on a smallish boat - even if one has to share with others (but hopefully not at the same time!).

Other than the two smallish boats we own you mean? Thanks for sharing your wisdom.

 

[bitbaltic]

This two loo business suggests a question about how it works on passage with the boat on a heel, because most two-loo boats will have one on either side. Certainly the only two-looer I've sailed on rendered one or the other loo unuseable when heeled because the inlet skin fitting was out of the water. On one cross-channel race we had foolishly filled the starboard loo with fenders; the long crossing close-hauled on port tack caused some silent discomfort I believe. The point of two loos seems to me to be to get around such problems of course.

If people have assigned themselves (or been assigned) to specific loos, what do you do when heel and heading render 'your' loo inoperative for hours on end? Does the skipper tack for comfort and then tack back again? Or is there a system of bartering access to the prescribed loo? What happens?

 

[RupertW]

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If people have assigned themselves (or been assigned) to specific loos, what do you do when heel and heading render 'your' loo inoperative for hours on end? Does the skipper tack for comfort and then tack back again? Or is there a system of bartering access to the prescribed loo? What happens?

It's a fair question - I generally use the forward port loo and my wife uses the starboard aft one. When beating there is occasionally a problem flushing the upside one. Basically if it's heeling and rough we tend to use the aft one because it's much closer to midships so less motion. I have found myself rushing down after a tack to use the loo before we tack again.

But the two loo thing for us is more about more comfort and privacy at anchor or in harbour including showering/shaving etc. than on passage, unless dead calm.

 

[Tranona]

Other than the two smallish boats we own you mean? Thanks for sharing your wisdom.

I have had larger boats - but the fact that few boats under 38' have more than one toilet suggests that it is not a priority for most buyers. There are conflicting requirements to use space on a small boat and for many a second toilet is not a good use of the limited space.

 

[RupertW]

I have had larger boats - but the fact that few boats under 38' have more than one toilet suggests that it is not a priority for most buyers. There are conflicting requirements to use space on a small boat and for many a second toilet is not a good use of the limited space.

As I started from your point of view (and still share it for smaller boats) I'm curious about how much time you've spent sailing on boats with two loos? Experience changed my opinion but I will admit that for our current boat we haven't really had to give up on anything else to accomodate them - apart perhaps from a space big enough for a separate shower stall which would be nice but a small advantage compared to the privacy of two smaller spaces.

 

[Dutch01527]

I have had larger boats - but the fact that few boats under 38' have more than one toilet suggests that it is not a priority for most buyers. There are conflicting requirements to use space on a small boat and for many a second toilet is not a good use of the limited space.

Agreed, for most people a 2nd head is not a good use of space. However, for a minority it is. The question I origionally posted was not " what is the best accommodation arrangement" it was " could anyone suggest 2 cabin / 2 heads options".

There have been some very helpful suggestions which I appreciate and will investigate.

 

[Greenheart]

...two heads even if small are far preferable to my wife and actually to me too when we have another couple (plus kids sometimes) on board. They have theirs, we have ours and it's all a lot more civilised.

That's exactly the point. Even leaving aside the unflushable messes and stinks which very junior crews lavish on their shipmates, there is an attempt on the part of some designers, to permit guests and owners the small sophistication of not all having to crap in the same space, a few feet from the dining table.

Terribly easy for long-term owners to grow so relaxed aboard their second home, that such delicate matters don't occur to them...

...and quite a few yachtsmen seem resigned (or even weirdly gleeful) about the necessity to share space, as rarely required ashore...

...but designs which allow guests the option of a less centrally-located place to relieve themselves, are certain to be their preference.

Although I found this interpretation of the Nauticat 52, which may be taking things a little far...

Personally I reckon the answer is better ventilation, ie ducted fresh air. Pity, that always has to be fitted by the owner, after purchase.

 

[RupertW]

That's exactly the point. Even leaving aside the unflushable messes and stinks which very junior crews lavish on their shipmates, there is an attempt on the part of some designers, to permit guests and owners to enjoy the small sophistication of not requiring them all to crap in the same small space, a few feet from the dining table.

Terribly easy for long-term owners to grow so relaxed aboard their second home, that such delicate matters don't occur to them...

...and quite a few yachtsmen seem resigned (or even weirdly gleeful) about the necessity to share space, as rarely required ashore...

...but designs which allow guests the option of a less centrally-located place to relieve themselves, are certain to be their preference.

Although I found this interpretation of the Nauticat 52, which may be taking things a little far...

Personally I reckon the answer is better ventilation, ie ducted fresh air. Pity, that always has to be fitted by the owner, after purchase.

The 52 layout looks good but as I can afford neither I can make the unlikely choice of preferring the Hanse 50 which had one master cabin forward with separate ensuite loo and sink on one side and a walk in shower on the other. Then (horror) two aft cabins which had to share a single heads.

 

[Greenheart]

...one master cabin forward with ensuite loo and shower. Then (horror) two aft cabins which had to share a single heads.

Could be much worse...aboard the Beneteau Oceanis 38, the owners share the filthy chaos in the aft-cabins' loo, too. :disgust:

 

[Pasarell]

I've just sold a Moody 33 Mk1 with a double cabin forward and heads the full width of the boat making it very spacious. Aft cabin on mine was 2 single bunks but I know another owner in Southampton who converted his aft cabin to a double bed with ensuite heads. When he told me I thought it would be rather unpleasant but was very surprised how well it worked. Access to the aft cabin is from the cockpit rather than a walkthrough but most owners have a cockpit enclosure which takes away any problems while preserving the privacy of 2 separate areas in such a small boat.
Mine with original, but very reliable, engine sold for well within your budget. I believe the other is still for sale with an asking price a little over your budget but a new engine.
Excellent boats in my opinion