On Fri, 30 Jan 2004 16:00:28 GMT, Rosalie B.
wrote:
y

WHAT?!?!?!?!?!?!?! bull**** that is.

What is wrong with better visibilty?

I prefer a center cockpit because of

a) better visibility forward (not aft because we have so much stuff on
the aft deck that we can't see aft very well but YMWV on that). We
still have a blind spot under the bow, but I have much less problem
seeing and the blind spot is less for me in a center cockpit. Except
for entering harbors etc, and even for anchoring I prefer to sit and
steer. Or rather - for most of the time I prefer to sit and let the
autopilot steer.

b) Less motion in the cockpit because it's closer to the center of the
boat.

That's what more than one female passagemaker has said to me regarding
visibility. Some people, male and female, find it a drier ride as
well. I've tried both and it's not a make or break thing for me, but I
like the fact that a center cockput vessel usually features good
access to the engine compartment from one or both sides, and
frequently is a little "room" of its own in some surprisingly small
hulls. Even 4 x 4 feet makes a big difference in access.

The motion thing is a bonus.

Now, JAX, if you *spoke* to real live women sailors (instead of just
smarming them on line), you might have employed your usual rapier wit
to better effect. As it is, you stand contradicted...again.

Some days, you seem to prove the only "vessel" you are familiar with
is the one that throbs constantly in your forehead.