Pilot house recommendations

[jrd22]

Hi, I'm looking to move up from the 34' Northsea pilothouse we've had (and loved) for 16 years into a 40-42'. I like the Sceptre 41, Brewer 40, and the Baba 40(even though it has a lot of wood to maintain). I'd appreciate any info. on these, or other pilothouse models from owners etc.. Prefer cutter rig, but ketch is OK too, fiberglass. If cost was not an object, I'd order a new Brewer Vancouver, but unfortunately, it is. I'm sure someone is going to ask why a pilothouse, we are in the San Juan Islands (Washington) and cruise here and BC year round. It rains so much that if I come inside and someone asks if it's still raining, I have to go back outside to check:-)) Thanks, John

[sailingdog]

You should ask TrueBlue and ChristyLeigh about their Nauticats... which are very nice pilothouse sailboats.

[camaraderie]

Look at Tayana42 Vancouvers too.

[TrueBlue]

Our Nauticat ketch is a pilothouse sailboat, but the traditional model we have is designed as a motorsailer - actually considered as the best quality motorsailers in the world. They may not appeal to sailors looking for the highest sail performance, but they do sail surprisingly well.

Look into the new models of high performance, pilothouse sloops - you will be impressed.

http://www.nauticat.com/

[PBzeer]

I believe Hans Christian makes a 39' pilothouse model. Double ender is about all I know about it.

[Sailormann]

This comes in a pilothouse version:

http://www.gozzard.com/main/g44mk2/g44mkII_frameset.htm


and they would probably do a PH on this one as well

http://www.gozzard.com/main/g41/g41_frameset.htm

very good quality builder....

[camaraderie]

Sailormann...I always loved those 44's! Great and innovative boats. Had my eye on a CC version until the price went over $500K. YIKES!!!

[Sailormann]

500K ???? ooops - here I thought I was being helpful

[Valiente]

Brewer lives on the west coast now...why not drop him an e-mail? I have a pilothouse, and it is a HUGE plus. I actually spend as much time on deck as before (there's a deck wheel plus the pilothouse wheel), but it is a real plus to have a roughly seven by nine foot place to "keep your stuff" and from which you can still actively sail the boat. Also, the actual saloon and aft cabin (which lead down from the PH) are kept much tidier when the "nerve center" of the boat is in the PH. It's not set up for socializing...that's either down below or on deck, but it's where I do my navigation and write my logs and hang my binoculars and coat and stow a ridiculous amount of handtools that used to cram too many nooks and crannies on the old boat. Not to mention the daybed...Zzzzz...take over, Mrs. Skipper...zzzzz...

I haven't even got to the warm and dry aspect...and I'm installing a Forespar Seacook this season so I can reach in and grab a hot coffee...luxury!

[Faster]

Since you're in the PNW I'm surprised not to see the Cooper 416 (also sold/built as a US 42) on your list. These are very roomy boats with many being used as comfortable liveaboards. Locally built and quite a bit less expensive than the Sceptres41/43s (though, granted, not as nice a boat)