DSK wrote:

Stephen Trapani wrote:

Well, if no one is at the helm, everyone below, with no forward facing
port/hatch, one can't see where one is going and what is in front of
them. Can't that be unsafe?


You're thinking like driving a car. The answer is, at sea it wouldn't be
unsafe because there's nothing to run into; conversely, you need to be
able to see in all directions equally because there are things that can
run over *you*.

Ah, so I can see how a forward facing port or hatch wouldn't be of much
help in a bluewater boat.

But I don't think I'll ever be at sea with this boat, only in Puget
Sound where there is less ability to rely on the autopilot. In high
traffic areas one needs to be watching more, though there are times and
places where there is nothing one couldn't see or hear coming from far
away.

Like even without an autopilot, I get a little nervous going below while
others are at the helm, I'd like to be able to keep my eye on things
better while doing things below.

Am I missing something?


The serious singlehanders used to install heavy plexiglass domes in
their coach roofs, so they could stick their heads up and see what's
going on (including with the rig & sails) without opening a port or
hatch to let heavy weather in.

I see a vision of me cooking a quesadia on my propane stove in the
galley looking through my forward facing port light, 12"X 20"ish with a
visor over the top of it to keep out most of the rain, with a custom
heavy weather cover which I'll lash on it in the heaviest P.S. weather.

Lunatic or visionary??? ;-)

Stephen