Short(er) boats with higher head room

[mdsdurango]

I'm 6'3" tall. And a solo sailer. I would like to find a very capable boat under 32 feet with enough head room in the cabin to be able to stand up straight. I would really like at least 6'4" from the cabin sole to the interior cabin ceiling.
Any ideas?
Goals; Coastal cruising, short passages, live aboard.
(Qualifier; I would go longer but for sure want to stay under 40'.)

[Heathenly Twins]

You might like the Westerly Centaur, Westerly USA sold quite a few in the 70s. I think the main cabin is 6'4". Tough boats. Comfortable but slow.

[Trekka]

A second on the 26ft Westerly Centaur, and adding consideration of the bigger brother boats known as Berwick (twin keel) and Longbow (renown). Both are just under 32ft and tough boats. Designed for North Sea sailing they carry less sail area than a typical US boat of similar length. But in my 25yrs sailing Westerly’s that just means they reef while you continue having a great day sailing.

[mdsdurango]

Thanks Heathenly and Trekka, I have looked a some Westerlys on line but seems the VAST majority are across the Atlantic. Very few in the US. Am I looking in the wrong places?

[Don C L]

The Cheoy Lee 35 (Perry design) has 6'-3" headroom they say, though I know that is an inch shorter than what you are looking for. Pretty nice boat though. Don't forget to add that you'll need to get the bunk lengths too!

Check here too:
https://forums.sailboatowners.com/th...cruiser.62452/

My friend has a Cheoy Lee Luders 30 and I just checked and apparently it has 6'-3" too. Also a nice, versatile and sturdy design too IMO.

[Pizzazz]

I would suggest a Hunter 31 from ‘83-‘87. The boat is roomy and very capable, quite different from the later Hunters. I am 6’2” and the headroom is sufficient. If you can find a boat in fairly good shape you can easily modify it into an ocean capable cruiser.

SV Pizzazz (H31)

[Don C L]

Columbia 34 has 7' headroom and 6'-4" according to specs:
Columbia 34 Mk II Specifications.

[dennismenace111]

Originally Posted by Heathenly Twins

You might like the Westerly Centaur, Westerly USA sold quite a few in the 70s. I think the main cabin is 6'4". Tough boats. Comfortable but slow.

Im 6ft. tall and have plenty of headroom in my Watkins 29... Shes a bit beamy too at 10'4" Quite comfortable but definitely not a speed demon and I ll admit, not the greatest sailing boat. But for a 71 year old captain, who refuses to beat to weather, shes just perfect.

[Dartanyon]

Baba 30' has 6'3" headroom and bunk space.

[Scubaseas]

I feel your pain That little button on the top of a baseball cap can smart. I used to be 6'3" and own a Pearson 323 that I lowered the sole in so it's now 6'7 or so. But now I'm under 5'10" and can fit into all those boats I looked at but had to reject. Try a search "tall people boat list". Also look here https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums...ats-82653.html


Columbias and Pearsons usually had long bunks and most had enough head room.

[Noisykate]

This is a friends boat, for sale; keep-it-simple sailing, ready to go. Good headroom!


Passat II.

https://uk.topboats.com/barcos-ocasion/tradewind-34

https://www.bluewatercruising.org/forums/Posts.aspx?topic=1551077&page=1#

https://www.usedvictoria.com/classified-ad/Passat-II---Tradewind-34---For-Sale-or-Trade_35780732.lite

[roland stockham]

One of the key metrics on boat performance is the beam to height ratio. A narrow bean compared to cabin headroom is going to negatively effect performance and stability. A second metric is beam to length which again is negative. the 'classic' numbers are a beam to height of around 1.5:1 so a 6ft 4" headroom plus 12 inch sump and 3" each for hull and deck gives give about 7' 10" height. That gives about 11' 6" beam and with a beam to length ration of 3-1 gives around 35' as a min length over deck for a canoe bodied hull. You can go shorter with a 'wine glass' hull and integrated keel but the penalty will be a very narrow sole. In your situation I would look in the 35-38ft bracket which should also give more comfort in the ends. On shorter boats you may get headroom in the main cabin but everywhere else is going to feel cramped so the boat will seem much smaller.

[Captain Puget]

Rawson 30 ... especially the pilot house version. Nice in inclement weather, if you are planning northern cruising.

[explorer 3]

I have an Allmand 31 it is perfect for my use.
They are solid, beamy and affordable.
Shoal draft and a comfortable coastal cruiser.
Not the best close hauled but everything is a comprise
Plenty of headroom and long bunks.

[sail sfbay]

Catalina 387 head room is at least 6 ft 8 in as a 6 ft 8 in friend of mine bought one so he can stand up in the cabin.