Unobstructed side deck width

[jimthom]

I'm putting the decking on a 35' yacht and it was suggested that the width of the side deck should be a minimum of 24", particularly near the shrouds. This would reduce the width of the cabin, affecting the amount of headroom along the sides of the main cabin; in particular, over the settee.

So the choice is either 24" clear sidedecks and the risk of banging noggin on underside of same; or headroom to stand up from the settee but risk breaking a toe on a chain plate.

Indecisive

[wet feet]

If there are already boats to this design,I would suggest contacting the owners of a couple and asking them the question.Alternatively,talk to the designer.

[jimthom]

Thanks wet feet; but this is a custom job, and I'm looking for some practical advice from experience sailors rather than designers.
Cheers

[Brett aust]

For a commercial vessel (Australia)

For reference:
Unobstructed main Passage ways are to be minimum 650mm but you will find that cabin doors, and the like are normally around the 500mm mark down to perhaps 480mm.

Given that you don't have walls to contend with, 24" could be excessive. I am assuming that we are talking about a low cabin?

Nobody knows exactly the arrangement you are dealing with but I would perhaps mock it up make your decision based on that.

Headroom below is always important. Perhaps you need to decide whether you want to bang your head or foot?

[PAR]

24" side decks are quite a luxury in a 35' boat. Using typical dimensions you'll lose a large percentage of your beam (48") to these decks. 18" would provide adequate room for movement foreword, though the bigger the side deck the better.

Take a good look at the overall design parameters and decide if she's more performance or cruising inclined. A race boat will want big side decks and a rakishly small cabin sticking through the deck (low windage and lots of room to perform Chinese fire drills) A cruiser is interested in volume to stow your stuff and headroom, screw the windage and extra side deck width, thankyou, you'll get there eventually.

[jimthom]

Thanks to all for the perspective!
Cheers

[wet feet]

The chainplates are the effective means of governing side deck width.If the rig has lower shrouds,there is little likelihood of a clear route inboard of the shrouds.This being the case,there seems little point in compromising the space below just for a wide deck either side of the shrouds and then having to use the limited space outboard for foredeck access.