Important for the Ladies

[davidpm]

I interviewed my wife tonight after she has seen about a dozen boats with an eye to living aboard/cruising for a few months at a time. We have been looking at boats for decades but now it is time to start making lists.

This is her list off the top of her head. What would your wife add?

Topsides
Must haves

• Access to the wheel from the companion way without climbing on the lasserette.
• Be able to see over the cabin from the steering station
• Good access to fore deck
• Place to prop your back and put your feet up when sitting in the cockpit (This usually means not highly curved cockpit seating area)

Nice to haves

• Swim platform
• Pressure water at cockpit.

Interior
Must haves

• Able to reach cabinets beyond table even if table is down without having to climb over seats.
• Shower
• Access to bead without contortions
• Hot and cold water
• No smells
• Good ventilation (Usually defined as opening port-lights)
• Head room
• Reasonably flat cabin sole, no trippers
• No lips at bottom of door ways
• Place to prop your back and put your feet up when sitting in the cabin (This usually means not highly curved cockpit seating area)

Nice to haves

• Air conditioning
• refrigerator

[treilley]

We have all of that in our Caliber.

What about sailing characteristics. I know when we were shopping for boats, that was high on my wife's list.

[Faster]

A workable galley and decent storage would have been my wife's top pick, I think. She appreciates the ease of handling that our fractional rig provides, but wishes our cockpit was a bit more ergonomically friendly, esp while heeled.

[DRFerron]

I know you've probably mentioned it somewhere but I can't locate it right now. What type of sailing will you be doing? My criteria for a boat used primarily in the Chesapeake and on which we probably stay aboard no longer than two weeks max is not the same as my criteria for an offshore boat that we're starting to research.

The only thing that really spans both is plenty of head room and no AC.

I want an aft head and centerline berth in the offshore boat, not a big deal in our current boat.

Our current boat is a tub, I want better performance in an offshore boat.

So my list really depends on the primary cruising grounds and how the boat is to be used.

[SloopJonB]

Important for the Ladies - that it be as much like a power boat and / or home as possible. The LESS it is like a well performing sailboat the better.

Just the facts of life.

[DRFerron]

Originally Posted by SloopJonB

Important for the Ladies - that it be as much like a power boat and / or home as possible. The LESS it is like a well performing sailboat the better.

Just the facts of life.

Not for all of us all the time.

[mgmhead]

You don't mention cruising range, which as DR pointed out is important. You also don't mention budget which can impose major limitations on your 'want' list.

My range is Chesapeake Bay and coastal cruising and we found all that you describe in our Catalina 387. Worth a look I think if you plan similar sailing.

Regards...MGM

[SloopJonB]

Originally Posted by DRFerron

Not for all of us all the time.

Certainly most of us, most of the time though.

[sawingknots]

i agree,that would be very unlike any sail boat i've seen,every sail boat built has inherent disadvantages and any advantages of a particular model is likely to be at the expenice of somewhere else,i suppose thats why one sees so many different types

[ehmanta]

Of course, most if not all of these amenities will be found on larger cruising boats, but that comes at a cost. What size range are you considering?

The premise that women will appreciate the cruising life if their boat is more than a "pop-up camper" is a very valid point and I have seen more than a few men sailing single because their wives won't have a thing to do with the boat. This could all change if the boat were made more "homey" like having nice linens, good food/wine, nice atmosphere and creature comforts.......on the other hand, maybe the single men out there prefer it that way????