deck design for sportfisher

[IDboatguy]

Hi all,

I have what might be an extremely naive question, but I am new to this industry so I need a second opinion. I have been asked remove conventional steps from the cockpit to the bridge on a boat concept. the suggestion is to have a smooth slope of no greater than 7* (degrees) from cockpit to bridge.

My concern is that a sloping bridge deck access of any incline greater than 2* is simply not safe, especially when running at 4*. It would seem more logical to place a simple short step-up (5-6".) currently, both the cockpit and bridge have 2* of slope to them to aid runoff. The bridge has to be at least 5" higher than the deck to clear the motors.

Does anyone with experience with boat decks and using them at sea, especially in sportfishing conditions have any suggestions? Which is a better idea, a step or a slope, and why?

[Corpus Skipper]

Steps. Period. Slopes would take up way too much room, protrude into the cockpit, and be a trip hazard. I assume you're talking about an express style boat? Cockpit space is already at a premium. A slope would extend into or past the fighting chair, making it impossible to walk around it, and as you mentioned, the angle wouldn't be safe underway.

[IDboatguy]

well the cockpit is staying flat, i wont let them add more than 2* of slope to it. the sloping occurs about where the readybox goes, in the forward end of the cockpit... about 70 inches from the transom. Oh, this is for a Carolina-style SF, approx 35 feet in length. and the slope im being asked to add is aft forward, theres already a degree or so of crown laterally.

I totally agree that slope is bad, but Im speaking from intuition, not experience. What i need are solid arguments that I can use to defend my position.

[ABoatGuy]

The slope of a sport fish cockpit can turn into a real slip and slide with fishblood and water. It wouldn't seem like a good idea to add more slope in lieu of a simple step. [Form follows function ... blah, blah,blah].