I am shopping for a replacement boat.
I see that some aft cabins have the berth running from starboard to port.
This means that if the cabin is used while sailing I may have my head on the
leeward side or windward side. More so if the boat is pitching I will be
rolling. The more traditional berth is usually running from the bow to the
stern. My observations may be wrong. I would appreciate some comments on
which one is preferred for a sailboat.

In article ,
Denis Marier wrote:

I am shopping for a replacement boat.
I see that some aft cabins have the berth running from starboard to port.
This means that if the cabin is used while sailing I may have my head on the
leeward side or windward side. More so if the boat is pitching I will be
rolling. The more traditional berth is usually running from the bow to the
stern. My observations may be wrong. I would appreciate some comments on
which one is preferred for a sailboat.

Well, you generally want the more traditional berth if you're on a
mono and want to be comfortable (more comfortable that is). You don't
want a wide berth with lots of room. You want a relatively narrow
berth and perhaps leeboards or cloths to keep you in your bunk. They
really work. I was on a boat that had manually angle-adjustable
bunks. That was neat, especially if you're on a tack for a long time.

Multis are another story of course.

--
Jonathan Ganz (j gan z @ $ail no w.c=o=m)
http://www.sailnow.com
"If there's no wind, row."

In article ,
"Denis Marier" wrote:

I am shopping for a replacement boat.
I see that some aft cabins have the berth running from starboard to
port. This means that if the cabin is used while sailing I may have
my head on the leeward side or windward side. More so if the boat is
pitching I will be rolling. The more traditional berth is usually
running from the bow to the stern. My observations may be wrong. I
would appreciate some comments on which one is preferred for a
sailboat.

If you're moving, you don't use that berth, but the sea berth(s), often
a quarterberth or modified settee if that's what you have.

Our coffin berth works well for me (the only way to get closer to the
center of motion is to lie on the floor). It's not a valid option for
heavier or claustrophobic crew, though.

--
Jere Lull
Xan-a-Deux ('73 Tanzer 28 #4 out of Tolchester, MD)
Xan's Pages: http://members.dca.net/jerelull/X-Main.html
Our BVI FAQs (290+ pics) http://homepage.mac.com/jerelull/BVI/

Jere Lull wrote:

In article ,
"Denis Marier" wrote:

I am shopping for a replacement boat.
I see that some aft cabins have the berth running from starboard to
port. This means that if the cabin is used while sailing I may have
my head on the leeward side or windward side. More so if the boat is
pitching I will be rolling. The more traditional berth is usually
running from the bow to the stern. My observations may be wrong. I
would appreciate some comments on which one is preferred for a
sailboat.

If you're moving, you don't use that berth, but the sea berth(s), often
a quarterberth or modified settee if that's what you have.

Our coffin berth works well for me (the only way to get closer to the
center of motion is to lie on the floor). It's not a valid option for
heavier or claustrophobic crew, though.

I will sometimes lie on the floor next to the mast if it is very
rough. If it is REALLY rough, then Bob's tool box starts sliding
around, and I can fix that if I'm there.

We have a double berth in the aft cabin (center cockpit). Normally we
sleep fore and aft, but sometimes if the boat is on one point of sail
(with the port rail down) for a long time, I'll lie across the bunk
with my feet on the low side. That way I don't keep rolling to the
low side. If it is the other tack, then I don't bother because that's
my side of the bunk (we sleep with our heads at the stern) and I don't
mind leaning against that side..

There are some boats with a large athwart double berth. I've never
cared for those, but my reason is that one or the other of us will
have to climb over the other one to go to the head, which we often do
at night. Someone we know with a berth like that has made an
extension for one side so that they can lie fore and aft if they want
to.

grandma Rosalie

Denis Marier wrote:
I am shopping for a replacement boat.
I see that some aft cabins have the berth running from starboard to port.
This means that if the cabin is used while sailing I may have my head on the
leeward side or windward side.

Only if you are constrained by a sense of extreme conformism to get into
the bunk "the *RIGHT* way." Normally, a person will climb into such a
bunk so that his head is up & feet are down... I've slept that way quite
a bit, it's very comfy.

... The more traditional berth is usually running from the bow to the
stern.

Yep. Traditionally supplies with lee cloths and/or webbing to hold you
in the thing when the boat is sailing hard.


... My observations may be wrong. I would appreciate some comments on
which one is preferred for a sailboat.


Whichever one you happen to prefer. Bunks are most commonly fore/aft but
some boats make best use of space with a bunk or two (usually aft) the
other way. Since most nights are spent either docked or anchored, it's
really an important point IMHO.

Fresh Breezes- Doug King

DSK wrote:
.... Bunks are most commonly fore/aft but
some boats make best use of space with a bunk or two (usually aft) the
other way. Since most nights are spent either docked or anchored, it's
really an important point IMHO.


Oops... the above should have read "it's NOT really an important point
IMHO."

DSK

Since a fair percentage of sailboat owners do not use their boats after dark
while under sail. Whether the berths are longitudinal or transversal may
not matter much.
Lots of boats remain in a slip for the night. However, when anchored in
tidal water, the boat turns with the tide and current. At time when
anchored in a protected cove the wind may shift during the night and a
traditional berth may be more tolerant to the up and down motion of the
boat. I do not have any experience with the berth located across the stern
section of a boat. Maybe it is just a matter of accepting it and getting
use to it?
Not to mention that when the anchor watch alarm is on I may have to get up
quickly to make sure that our position has not changed. If it takes me too
long to reach the hatch for a check it may be too late to take any
corrective actions in time.

"DSK" wrote in message
...
DSK wrote:
.... Bunks are most commonly fore/aft but
some boats make best use of space with a bunk or two (usually aft) the
other way. Since most nights are spent either docked or anchored, it's
really an important point IMHO.


Oops... the above should have read "it's NOT really an important point
IMHO."

DSK

DSK wrote:
DSK wrote:

.... Bunks are most commonly fore/aft but some boats make best use of
space with a bunk or two (usually aft) the other way. Since most
nights are spent either docked or anchored, it's really an important
point IMHO.


Oops... the above should have read "it's NOT really an important point
IMHO."

DSK

It is important if you are trying to sail for six to eight days, say
from Ft. Lauderdale to the Virgin Islands. If you can stay on one tack
for six hours (~36 nm), then the off watch person can sleep with head
up, feet down. Otherwise, sleep is interupted when a tack is made. with
three people on board we do 3 on, six off watches and rest is very
important. Transverse bunks just make planning a little more difficult.
krj