Advantages of a Center Cockpit?

[Pelagic]

Nicely balanced Frank

[ozskipper]

[QUOTE=KeepInTune;1692004]Searching for my new (used) cruiser, I was hoping to get some quick thoughts and opinions on the advantages of a Center-Cockpit monohull. Snip!


One thing to consider is how long you plan to spend sailing vs "living" on it. If you plan to spend more time on the anchor then focus on whats right when you are having a beer or eating dinner etc.

If you plan on long distance sailing, focus how comfy you will be when underway and how easy it will be to cook at sea and the general comfort of the crew while sailing.

[Zai]

I've only been on a couple of CC boats, but one question lingers in my mind is cockpit drainage.
One boat (2000 model) had 2 stainless steel pipes running through the engine room (about 2.5" pipes) connected directly to through hull fittings. It gave me the shudders. There were no shut off valves, just straight through hulls.

As I have not seen many CC boats, is this common practice?

[Terra Nova]

It is normal to run them through sea cocks.

[autumnbreeze27]

Our cc has 4 cockpit drains. 2 have hoses that run down to seacocks. The other 2 are connected via glassed in tubes to the hull. One of our bilge pumps is the same, it runs via hose to a fitting in the hull that then runs up the side above the waterline then out.

Sent from my TegraNote-P1640 using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

[chuckr]

We have what we think is the best of both worlds. We sail a Jeanneau DS40 with the helm on the forward starboard bulk head. Easy to single hand as all sail controls are within easy reach. Have a huge cockpit and easy on and off and really easy when med mooring.

Only real disadvantage is when heeled to starboard you have a mental perception that you are leaning into the water but after a while figured out how to deal with it.

We love it. Take a look if you can find one. Not many around.

[muttnik]

I have an Oceanlord which is the newer version of El Pinguino's Sealord. I'm 1.9m long and can lay down on the cockpit bench so it's big enough for me. I suspect that the position towards the centre of the boat makes the motion easier for people in the cockpit. Boom over steering position used to be an issue (I had to be sitting or be careful) but when I got new sails the sailmaker pointed out that he could address that with the cut. Designing a bimini is proving challenging but other people seem to manage it. Not having the traveller in the cockpit is definitely a plus.

Regarding viewing the sails, I accept the comments others have made about seeing the main from the helm but for me it's not a big deal: I tend to move around the boat anyway when I'm really worried about how the sails are set.

*sailing* the boat single handed is not an issue. Parking it single handed is definitely more challenging than an equivalent aft cockpit, and I haven't even attempted med mooring in it yet.

The aft cabin is great for privacy if you have guests: "en suite" heads and ingress/egress via the hatch mean you never have to disturb anyone sleeping in the saloon.

[Davidjames]

All sailboats are a compromise of personal preferences. All the comments I have seen, seem to address most of the issues between an AC & CC. My experience with a CC was on my 37' Dickerson Ketch, which I loved more than my Bristol 40' yawl. Been there both ways and prefer the CC! Make your own decision, I'm sure you'll be happy either way! Best of luck, from Dezze1!

[Steadman Uhlich]

Originally Posted by chuckr

We have what we think is the best of both worlds. We sail a Jeanneau DS40 with the helm on the forward starboard bulk head. Easy to single hand as all sail controls are within easy reach. Have a huge cockpit and easy on and off and really easy when med mooring.

Only real disadvantage is when heeled to starboard you have a mental perception that you are leaning into the water but after a while figured out how to deal with it.

We love it. Take a look if you can find one. Not many around.

A friendly request to ALL: Please post photos of your boat (everyone) if there is something about it that illustrates a point of this discussion or if it is unusual or has an advantage in some feature.

For example, your boat sounds like it is a bit different than most, so a photo showing the helm position would be nice to see in this discussion.

[JPA Cate]

If you are interested in having wind steering, one factor to consider is windflow to the stern. If you have a CC, and then, add an all weather enclosure, and you want to have a dinghy in davits (as we often see), then the airflow to the wind steerer may be so hampered by all the gear that it will not work well. IMO, wind steering (desirable 'cause it works w/o electricity, and is silent) is easier to set up on an AC boat.

A whole lot depends on how you plan to use the boat.

Ann

[El Pinguino]

Originally Posted by Ann T. Cate

If you are interested in having wind steering, one factor to consider is windflow to the stern. If you have a CC, and then, add an all weather enclosure, and you want to have a dinghy in davits (as we often see), then the airflow to the wind steerer may be so hampered by all the gear that it will not work well. IMO, wind steering (desirable 'cause it works w/o electricity, and is silent) is easier to set up on an AC boat.

A whole lot depends on how you plan to use the boat.

Ann

And a whole lot depends on how you stow your kit. If you have something like a monitor that needs connection to the wheel then A/C is better.
However in my experience the back of A/C cruising boats is usually more cluttered as they don't have much room down the back to put stuff that needs to be down the back. Add a dodger and a bimini and you have a lot of dirty air down there.
Pics.... my boat in full channel mode... wind vane for the windvane stowed below as not used thereabouts. Still in clear air above the level of the dinghy even if it is fitted.Offshore the dinghy is stowed below.
2nd pic... another boat....

[svmariane]

{yawn} Excuse me, but what was the question?

[r spicer]

easier to wrench on engine, more privacy,more storage room,berths useable by normal humans, DRIER sailing<.>

[chuckr]

Originally Posted by chuckr

We have what we think is the best of both worlds. We sail a Jeanneau DS40 with the helm on the forward starboard bulk head. Easy to single hand as all sail controls are within easy reach. Have a huge cockpit and easy on and off and really easy when med mooring.

Only real disadvantage is when heeled to starboard you have a mental perception that you are leaning into the water but after a while figured out how to deal with it.

We love it. Take a look if you can find one. Not many around.

sorry we did not post pics -- here are a couple as we sit in hammamet tunisia