Well, I hope I don't turn into the guy who asks all the nutty questions,
but wouldn't the right sort of hatch or port facing forward in the cabin
of a sailboat make it safer to be below using an autopilot? Why don't
sail designers do more of this? Isn't it possible to make it seaworthy?

Stephen

Its done all the time ... most Bob Perry designed boats have forward
facing (and opening) portlights.

In article , Stephen Trapani
wrote:

Well, I hope I don't turn into the guy who asks all the nutty questions,
but wouldn't the right sort of hatch or port facing forward in the cabin
of a sailboat make it safer to be below using an autopilot? Why don't
sail designers do more of this? Isn't it possible to make it seaworthy?

Stephen

Rich Hampel wrote:

Its done all the time ... most Bob Perry designed boats have forward
facing (and opening) portlights.

In article , Stephen Trapani
wrote:

Well, I hope I don't turn into the guy who asks all the nutty questions,
but wouldn't the right sort of hatch or port facing forward in the cabin
of a sailboat make it safer to be below using an autopilot? Why don't
sail designers do more of this? Isn't it possible to make it seaworthy?

Stephen

What is unsafe about using an autopilot? What is unsafe about being
below when underway whether using an autopilot or not?

We've got opening ports along the side of the cabin (11 in the forward
section and 7 in the aft cabin), and deck hatches of various kinds,
some of which are hinged on one side and some on the other. The
hinges can be reversed if desired. But when underway all those
hatches are shut and dogged down, and so are all the ports.
(particularly the ones in the stern if the engine is on)

I consider it unsafe to have open hatches when underway. We usually
have the companionways open though unless we are in really heavy seas.


grandma Rosalie

S/V RosalieAnn, Leonardtown, MD
CSY 44 WO #156
http://home.mindspring.com/~gmbeasley/id2.html

Rosalie B. wrote:

Rich Hampel wrote:


Its done all the time ... most Bob Perry designed boats have forward
facing (and opening) portlights.

In article , Stephen Trapani
wrote:


Well, I hope I don't turn into the guy who asks all the nutty questions,
but wouldn't the right sort of hatch or port facing forward in the cabin
of a sailboat make it safer to be below using an autopilot? Why don't
sail designers do more of this? Isn't it possible to make it seaworthy?

Stephen


What is unsafe about using an autopilot? What is unsafe about being
below when underway whether using an autopilot or not?

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?

Stephen

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*.

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.

Fresh Breezes- Doug King

DSK wrote:

... 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*.

Doug, unfortunately my experience contradicts your statement to some
extent. I have more than once come on deck offshore (let's say more than a
few hundred miles from any coast) to find myself all too close to
whales, containers, and on more than one occasion large commercial vessels.
I think the original writer's concerns are well founded.

Someone mentioned Chuck Paine boats, and it's true that quite a few of the
Morris yachts feature a forward facing port. Of course these boats are
largely custom-finished, and just about any arrangement is possible. Still
most any well built port with good gaskets and good dogs will serve.

Meanwhile, I'm in Rosalie's camp when it comes to closing up underway. It
almost always happens that things get wet otherwise.


--
Good luck and good sailing.
s/v Kerry Deare of Barnegat
http://kerrydeare.home.comcast.net/

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

Stephen Trapani wrote:
Rosalie B. wrote:

In article , Stephen Trapani
wrote:

Well, I hope I don't turn into the guy who asks all the nutty questions,
but wouldn't the right sort of hatch or port facing forward in the cabin
of a sailboat make it safer to be below using an autopilot? Why don't
sail designers do more of this? Isn't it possible to make it seaworthy?


What is unsafe about using an autopilot? What is unsafe about being
below when underway whether using an autopilot or not?

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?

Unless you are single handing somewhere offshore, someone is always at
the helm, whether with autopilot or not. All the autopilot does is
keep you from having to have your hands on the wheel all the time. For
the two of us, someone is always in the cockpit keeping the watch. If
one of us has to go below - the other one is in the cockpit.

I'd suggest that you either need a center cockpit boat with a bimini
and enclosure around the cockpit like ours in which we do most of our
living in the cockpit going below only to sleep when we are off watch
(or to use the facilities or cook which doesn't take long), or
probably better for your purposes - a pilothouse.

The other possibility is to have radar where the screen swivels down
into the cabin or out into the cockpit. Probably would be useful to
have in Puget Sound anyway.



grandma Rosalie

Rosalie B. wrote:
Stephen Trapani wrote:

Rosalie B. wrote:

In article , Stephen Trapani
wrote:


Well, I hope I don't turn into the guy who asks all the nutty questions,
but wouldn't the right sort of hatch or port facing forward in the cabin
of a sailboat make it safer to be below using an autopilot? Why don't
sail designers do more of this? Isn't it possible to make it seaworthy?


What is unsafe about using an autopilot? What is unsafe about being
below when underway whether using an autopilot or not?

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?


Unless you are single handing somewhere offshore, someone is always at
the helm, whether with autopilot or not. All the autopilot does is
keep you from having to have your hands on the wheel all the time. For
the two of us, someone is always in the cockpit keeping the watch. If
one of us has to go below - the other one is in the cockpit.

I'd suggest that you either need a center cockpit boat with a bimini
and enclosure around the cockpit like ours in which we do most of our
living in the cockpit going below only to sleep when we are off watch
(or to use the facilities or cook which doesn't take long), or
probably better for your purposes - a pilothouse.

The other possibility is to have radar where the screen swivels down
into the cabin or out into the cockpit. Probably would be useful to
have in Puget Sound anyway.

Hey thanks for the advice. I really would like a good Bimini, dodger
setup, somehow, to stay out of the rain. The aft stay is right above my
head at the helm, so I have my doubts.

On the other hand I've spent *much* time in foul weather gear, both on
boats and ashore, and that doesn't bother me much, I don't know. -So
many decisions!

Until my finances take a bigger turn for the better, a radar, Bimini and
such seem like fond dreams for a distant future. My sailing buddy is
sewing his own canvas stuff, maybe I should have him give me lessons. sigh

Stephen

I'm gonna disagree with you slightly on this one Rosalie. I may be just
justifying how my wife and I sail, but while there is always one of us
on watch, that doesn't neccessarily mean that the on watch person never
goes below. When we're cruising along, the vane in control, no other
boat in sight and hasn't been for who know how long, it's not at all
unusual for the one of on watch to go below to use the head, make a
sandwich or cup of tea, etc. and I see no problem with this. We do use
a kitchen timer set to "ding" at us every ten minutes to remind us to
stick our head up and scan the horizon and such. In fact, we usually
use the kitchen timer anytime there's just one of us up (at least I do),
as I'm usually reading or so lost in thought, that without the reminder,
the horizon would never get checked.

Fair winds - Dan

Rosalie B. wrote:
Stephen Trapani wrote:

Rosalie B. wrote:

In article , Stephen Trapani
wrote:


Well, I hope I don't turn into the guy who asks all the nutty questions,
but wouldn't the right sort of hatch or port facing forward in the cabin
of a sailboat make it safer to be below using an autopilot? Why don't
sail designers do more of this? Isn't it possible to make it seaworthy?


What is unsafe about using an autopilot? What is unsafe about being
below when underway whether using an autopilot or not?

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?


Unless you are single handing somewhere offshore, someone is always at
the helm, whether with autopilot or not. All the autopilot does is
keep you from having to have your hands on the wheel all the time. For
the two of us, someone is always in the cockpit keeping the watch. If
one of us has to go below - the other one is in the cockpit.

I'd suggest that you either need a center cockpit boat with a bimini
and enclosure around the cockpit like ours in which we do most of our
living in the cockpit going below only to sleep when we are off watch
(or to use the facilities or cook which doesn't take long), or
probably better for your purposes - a pilothouse.

The other possibility is to have radar where the screen swivels down
into the cabin or out into the cockpit. Probably would be useful to
have in Puget Sound anyway.



grandma Rosalie

--
Dan Best - (707) 431-1662, Healdsburg, CA 95448
B-2/75 1977-1979
Tayana 37 #192, "Tricia Jean"
http://rangerbest.home.comcast.net/TriciaJean.JPG