What should "cruising" boats be designed for?

Re: What should \"cruising\" boats be designed for?

Actually I totally agree with both of you, it's all a matter of what you want it for.
I did say in effect that there was nothing inherently wrong with bolted on keels if they are designed right and the fixings are calculated to be able to take a knock without catastrophic results. Unfortunately there are some that are good in this respect and some that ain't....
There is no such thing as a perfect boat. Yer pays yer money and takes yer choice.
 
Re: What should \"cruising\" boats be designed for?

[ QUOTE ]
Actually I totally agree with both of you, it's all a matter of what you want it for.
I did say in effect that there was nothing inherently wrong with bolted on keels if they are designed right and the fixings are calculated to be able to take a knock without catastrophic results. Unfortunately there are some that are good in this respect and some that ain't....
There is no such thing as a perfect boat. Yer pays yer money and takes yer choice.

[/ QUOTE ]
I agree with you. And everyone else. On principle.

But with all this talk of keels, design, galleys, etc - I would say: "There are many requirements a sailing boat must fulfil to be really satisfactory - she must be seaworthy, fast, easily handled and so on. But this is the barest minima. However, unless one’s spirit soars at the sight of your boat, unless one instantly sees oneself at her helm under a blue sky with dolphins leaping alongside, it just won’t do. Without this, all is lost! Of all the elements that go into a sailing boat, the one that should never be compromised is beauty...!"
 
Re: What should \"cruising\" boats be designed for?

[quoteOf all the elements that go into a sailing boat, the one that should never be compromised is beauty...!"

[/ QUOTE ]

Leaves the McG 26 at the head of the pack then!
 
Re: What should \"cruising\" boats be designed for?

Just a few random thoughts.... as this is a vast and complex subject about which books could (and have been) written.....

"Absolutely right. Not everyone wants or needs the marine equivalent of a Land Rover. But for those who are "going bush" in their boats like that Evan Starwhatsit chap, maybe a long keel heavy old boat is appropriate. You pays your money and makes your choice. "

But as Skents pointed out earlier, Mr. Starwotsit now sails a Samoa 47 with a fin keel and a spade rudder, and in high latitudes as well!

I think that cruising boats should firstly be designed to stay afloat in most (all even!) conditions that they might reasonably be expected to encounter. A fairly obvious statement you might think!

What would be even better would be if there is a reasonable chance of them staying afloat if they have been holed or sprung a leak.

But how many cruising yachts have any form of water tight subdivision? Some of the better ones might have a W/T anchor locker bulkhead up forward, but that is about it.

I went on board one of the Services' Victoria 34's in Lymington recently, and was impressed to see that there was a water-tight bulkhead (and a W/T door with proper dogs all round) forward of the main cabin.
Most commercial vessels carrying passengers (and many fishing vessels as well now) are now required (by reputable flag states) to have a certain minimum standard of subdivision.
But even the most expensive and complicated and 'well designed' yachts are often sadly lacking in this respect.

Perhaps one should simply say that a well found cruising boat should be designed to cope with pretty much anything that its crew will try to inflict on it, on the philosophy that most boats these days can take more abuse than their crews can.

Many amazing voyages have been made without fanfare by experienced and capable sailors in vessels that many folk would think twice about crossing the channel in, let alone going around the world in. I am sure that the original remit of the designers of these vessels (eg Shrimpy springs to mind) did not include circumnavigations..... but they have done it.

I will conclude by agreeing with Contessa26 above, re how a cruising yacht should (ideally) be designed to be (very) pleasing to the eye. We are both ardent fans of Sparkman & Stephens designs, and very few of their fine cruising yachts could be described as not meeting this basic criteria.

If your vessel is pleasing to the eye, sea kindly, strong (stronger than her crew), comfortable, ergonomic, easily maintained (ha!), and with a fair turn of speed to boot, then she must come close to being an (almost) perfect yacht.

And I am sure that this statement could apply (in the owner's opinions at least!) to a certain extent to all of the fine cruising yachts owned by members of this forum - just look at the very popular thread asking what type of boat folk are living on board - such a diverse range!
 
Re: What should \"cruising\" boats be designed for?

Watertightness - good point. Once saw a one-off (owner designed) about 48 feet which was subdivided into three watertight (by closing doors) sections, plus the engine compartment was isolated as well. His philosophy was that if the worst happened then as long as he could keep the engine running he could keep his pumps running. There was one BIG engine driven pump, plus 3 electrical pumps, one for each compartment. Fuel and water tankage was split across several smaller tanks for each, all of which could be isolated. Boat had a doghouse with 'gutters' around it to collect rainwater. There was also a rainwater collection system inside the boom. Cutter ketch rig, with twin spinnaker poles which had had some engineering done to them to allow them to be used as a bipod mast in the event of loss of the mast. Never saw it underwater, but I bet he had a substantial skeg.
 
Re: What should \"cruising\" boats be designed for?

Yes it is a good point and even more important for a mono with a gert big iron lump on the bottom. Also perfectly correct re; commercial vessels that have to meet "damaged stability" criteria set by MCA. Without climbing on the catamaran bandwagon again (honest I am trying not to!) it's much easier to meet these criteria with a cat. Mine has been built with both bow sections watertight and foam filled, stern sections are too. Keels being water tanks are watertight too. Centre nacelle is also foam filled right back to the engine compartment. I did actually calculate the DS before building her and she will certainly not sink if holed! Makes her heavier of course and thats not good for speed but gives a wonderful sense of security.
 
Re: What should \"cruising\" boats be designed for?

[ QUOTE ]
Never saw it underwater, but I bet he had a substantial skeg.

[/ QUOTE ]

Submarines must be a very small niche cruising yacht market
 
Re: What should \"cruising\" boats be designed for?

Is this a good point to introduce the safety that is built into Etaps? Its not a new idea!

No I dont think I will /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
Re: What should \"cruising\" boats be designed for?

Oh go on! TCM is probably asleep you will be OK! /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif
 
Re: What should \"cruising\" boats be designed for?

If they discussed their preferred choice in an open manner I would agree with you but most just want to rubbish AWB's and believe that only "their" choice is seaworthy enought to be allowed to be made and sold.
 
Re: What should \"cruising\" boats be designed for?

The reality is that you are talking about nice feature that 99% of boat purchasers do not want , do not need and would not pay for.

These discussions must be put into context. If I was sailing the Pacific I would want a steel boat with watertight bulkheads.

For Weekend cruising in the Solent and 2-3 weeks holiday sailing to France and never going out in a F7 or above an AWB is fine for me and cost effective.
 
Re: What should \"cruising\" boats be designed for?

I take your point its really how we all think whats in a word.

I go on cruising holidays for a couple of weeks.

Crossing oceans is blue water sailing.
 
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