Cockpit Design--why get wet?

Well, I love this one.
The only extra feature I think Banjers need, to be able to watch sails when steering from the inside of the pilothouse, as well as see the stars, better feel the breeze and so on, is a decently sized transparent sliding roof opening, with an screen for when the sun hits. And you always can tiller steer from the cockpit, too. And I love the wheelhouse-cockpit 'patio' arrangement.

 

handles around hatchway

I've thought about that, but the cockpit floor would need to be wide enough to bypass the wheel---or there'd need to be enough headroom to climb around it. If it works, it'd be a great solution for shorthanded sailing, since all sheets would be behind the wheel instead of in-front of it.

With a cockpit like yours, if I understood your previous post correctly, there is a seat to climb-onto as you enter the hatchway. I know of a similar boat here that has handles on the cabin-roof, on either side of the hatch. That way, it's not so hard on the back when standing on that seat and ducking under the dodger.

Also, I think your other post stated that you'd need a dodger that's 4' above cabin-height for 6'6" standing headroom to enter the hatchway; I agree with you that it'd be too high. I'd go for something like a two-foot dodger and about 4'6" headroom---of course, a cut-out would facilitate entering/exiting even more. And the cut-out probably wouldn't need to extend as far forward as the cabin's hatch; in fact, even when the cut-out is closed (like when raining hard), it would probably still give you enough headroom to maneuver in-and-out. The ducking might be a small compromise for staying dry in stormy weather

 

HI Kristian, thanks for all your answers. If sliding hatches can be made not to leak, I would love them as they provide more access to fresh air and views when weather permits it and they allow extra head room when wanted.
I also like hard dodgers for the extra support they give me, I seem to always cling on to them when they are on a boat and I like the use of clear see through material wherever possible to allow a view.
I laughed about your curved spine, anything to avoid those I would say.

 

But surely large pilothouses like that would have a high degree of windage. Is that not counter productive to good sailing? And the large glass areas, vunerable in heavy seas??
I don't know the answers just tossing those thoughts up to get opinions.

Mychael

 

That is a good question about the height of structures on deck. I noticed that looks are used as an argument to keep structures within a certain height but not much about windage. Are looks not subject to fashion and maybe education. If the height of a structure/dodger avoids curved spines and give you protection against weather in a comfortable position, surely some education could solve resistence or is it windage that keeps the height down?

 

Yes, Banjers are not the best of sailing boats, but very nice motorsailers. They don't go up well into the wind, but they have the iron genny for that. And yes, large windows are vulnerable in heavy seas. In my opinion Banjers are very nice coastal motorsailors, with ability for occassional passages in more or less good weather windows. Something like a Category B under the RCD.
Having said that, I have to say they have done several oceans crossings and suffered pretty bad weather conditions without big damage. Some owners report to have plexiglass covers for the wheelhouse windows, but they also confess they do not use them, even in bad weather.
The only report from a Banjer having problems with those windows, was 200 miles off Finisterre in a full gale. A wave knocked down JAN VAN GENT, broking windows and badly hurting the captain. Crew of three (man, woman and child), abandoned boat and drifted with the raft for some days, surviving only the woman. JAN VAN GENT was later found floating safely, with only some water in the bilges. Nowadays is owned by a Banjers Club member under another name.
For more info on Banjers abilities you may be interested in visiting
http://banjer37msclub.tripod.com/lines_sailing.htm

Cheers.

 

An advantage of the pilot house over a dodger is the ease with which solar can be installed.

This is very usefull as many cruising boats kill the batt set by never fully recharging , something solar excells at.

FAST FRED