View of the outside world

[sailingharry]

Greetings,

I have no idea if this is the right sub-forum, but can't find a better one. Liveaboards will probably have the best insight into my question.

I'm a long time monohull sailor, in many varieties of boats. I currently own a '79 Sabre 34 As the admiral and I approach retirement, we are looking to move up to a liveaboard, say 40-45 feet. Live as well as cruise -- ocean crossings are a near certainty. While cats are on the radar, we still lean to monohullls. We prefer traditional lines, aft cockpit. Sabre, Tartan, Passport, Saga, Outbound (well, OK, that's a dream!), etc.

So here's the issue. My boat, and other's I've sailed on, allow view of the outside world. I can stand in the galley see the ducks swimming by. The rail is low, the cabin sides are vertical, the ports are large (maybe 6" high x 2' long), the cabin sole is high -- and at 5'8, I can actually see out, and really "see." On a Sabre 42, or a Passport, or most other slightly more modern boats, the rail is higher and the cabin sole lower (to make more volume/headroom), the cabin sides are sloping, and the ports seem smaller. The end result is I cannot see the water without going on deck (or perhaps stretching/standing on toes).

So, now the question. Those of you with boats like this, and there are many boats like this. The boat show is full of them. Do you find that the lack of seeing out is a problem? When someone on deck says "check out that boat going by" is it really that big a deal to have to go on deck to see it? I keep thinking that I should cover my ports with waxed paper (let in light, but prevent visibility) to experience life in a well lit but visibility challenged boat!

Thanks for input.

Harry
Rantum Scoot
'79 Sabre 34
Mill Creek, Annapolis

[Tetepare]

Frustrates me as well. Tiny ports with little view, same with hatches.

Best options are pilothouse, deck salon, or catamaran.

[Tayana42]

Periscope?

[john61ct]

My admiral struts about in 4" stilettos for exactly that reason

and fishnets, nautical theme y'know

[Steadman Uhlich]

Originally Posted by Tetepare

Frustrates me as well. Tiny ports with little view, same with hatches.

Best options are pilothouse, deck salon, or catamaran.

Photo below is from within a Dashew designed Sundeer 56/60 doghouse, and shows the use of a remote for autopilot. Nice visibility. The Dashews have written they spend most of their time in this protected area while on passage.

[Tetepare]

Beneteau 50...marginally better than a Catalina 30



Hunter 41 Deck Salon




Lagoon 42

[sailorboy1]

I've got most of my below windows/ports either curtained off in a way that is hard to open or just plain covered, as during the day I'm more interested in keeping the sun out than looking outside.

[sailingharry]

The deck salons, like that Bene, are perhaps the best answer to THAT question. They come with their own problems -- since it's a new design concept, most of them are out of my price range, and they also follow the modern design concept of no handrails for offshore work and no storage to interfere with the awesome interior volume.

Ah, compromises!

[dkroar]

Love my pilothouse!

[elandra65]

I have had boats with PH and boats without. I actually prefer a darker interior as most of my sailing is the tropics and it is nice to get out of the sun glare. My pilothouse boat (Macgregor 65) was a bit of a solarium. Of course i could of used curtains but they were not fitted but that would still let the heat in. Colder climates would be different. In short i never missed the views offered by a PH.

[Tetepare]

I'm dreaming of plastics that can be adjusted for transparency. Imagine touching a switch and you can see the fish and bottom or watch the stars in full glory from your aft cabin.

[Deltasailor]

Originally Posted by sailingharry

Greetings,

I have no idea if this is the right sub-forum, but can't find a better one. Liveaboards will probably have the best insight into my question.

I'm a long time monohull sailor, in many varieties of boats. I currently own a '79 Sabre 34 As the admiral and I approach retirement, we are looking to move up to a liveaboard, say 40-45 feet. Live as well as cruise -- ocean crossings are a near certainty. While cats are on the radar, we still lean to monohullls. We prefer traditional lines, aft cockpit. Sabre, Tartan, Passport, Saga, Outbound (well, OK, that's a dream!), etc.

So here's the issue. My boat, and other's I've sailed on, allow view of the outside world. I can stand in the galley see the ducks swimming by. The rail is low, the cabin sides are vertical, the ports are large (maybe 6" high x 2' long), the cabin sole is high -- and at 5'8, I can actually see out, and really "see." On a Sabre 42, or a Passport, or most other slightly more modern boats, the rail is higher and the cabin sole lower (to make more volume/headroom), the cabin sides are sloping, and the ports seem smaller. The end result is I cannot see the water without going on deck (or perhaps stretching/standing on toes).

So, now the question. Those of you with boats like this, and there are many boats like this. The boat show is full of them. Do you find that the lack of seeing out is a problem? When someone on deck says "check out that boat going by" is it really that big a deal to have to go on deck to see it? I keep thinking that I should cover my ports with waxed paper (let in light, but prevent visibility) to experience life in a well lit but visibility challenged boat!

Thanks for input.

Harry
Rantum Scoot
'79 Sabre 34
Mill Creek, Annapolis

My mate calls these yachts "semi-submersables" No vis outside.

[captlloyd]

One of the main reasons I love a cat

[Mithril Bham]

I do not consider myself an expert. I did own and live aboard a Passport 43 (42 maybe don't remember). Sailed on so many boats I don't remember them all either. I tend to like strong boats with as little exposure as possible. I sleep on the boat. If I want to view the world I leave my quarters and go outside. Many would disagree. All a matter of taste.

[ZULU40]

Originally Posted by Tetepare

I'm dreaming of plastics that can be adjusted for transparency. Imagine touching a switch and you can see the fish and bottom or watch the stars in full glory from your aft cabin.

you can for glass
SmartGlass switchable glass

Switchable Glass | Privacy Glass | Smartglass International