A boat with few companionway steps

[dwightgry]

Looking for a newer boat, approx. 38'-42' range, and am wondering if there is a difference in the number of steps on companionway ladders. I was on one boat (don't remeber which make) that had only a few steps, while my P323 has several. I understand that a high cabin trunk and low cockpit would give few steps, as well as a low threshold to step over from cockpit to ladder. Any ideas which makes fit this criteria?

[T34C]

The biggest thing affecting the # of steps is going to be weather the boat has bridge deck in the cockpit or not. A boat w/o bridgedeck would allow you to walk thru the compainion way without haveing to step-up first, negating the need to go down as far.

[sailingdog]

Of course, some boats have a deck saloon, which means there are no steps into the boat's interior, but steps into the other parts of the boat. Catamarans are a good example of this.

Why are you basing your boat buying on the number of companionway steps??

[dwightgry]

SD, the # of steps is only one criteria in choosing a new boat. It just would be a bit handier access in some ways. I actually am a converted power boater, and haven't really been around too many sailboats and so try to tap into the collective wisdom here for my simple questions. I was on a boat that seemed to have fewer steps than usual, but that was when I was new to sailboats and so I don't remember specifics. Haven't had a chance to go on to a deck saloon style monohull; do they have fewer steps?

[sailingdog]

It depends, some will have the deck saloon a bit below the deck, say a step or two...and then you step down from there into the main cabin of the boat. It might be the same number of steps... but they may be broken into separate sections...which are smaller.

[JohnRPollard]

dwightgry,

As T34C indicated, the biggest factor affecting number of companionway steps is whether the cockpit has a "bridgedeck". My hunch is that the boat you are remembering did not have a "bridgedeck", so it seemed to you there were comparatively few steps.

Recognizing that you are somewhat new to sailing, we would be happy to discuss bridgedecks and the various pros/cons of having one or not, but we do not want to belabor the point if you already understand this distinction clearly. Let us know if you'd like more details/info.

[dwightgry]

Thanks mate. I understand it better now, and can envision the tradeoffs associated with both design types. I guess that the best route is to follow the most commonly done formats of boat design, because they have evolved over a long period of time. Being new to sailboats any unusual ideas capture my attention, but there are reasons for doing things different ways, and the higher cockpit floor etc. gives advantages in another area. I will have to continue to look at different designs and figure out which style and compromises best suit my own purposes and uses. Thanks for responding.

[Plumper]

The cockpit floor should be high enough to drain through the cockpit drains at all angles of heel. There is a PIYA ruling about that. The sole of the cabin can be various heights depending on the cabin layout and the location of the engine. I was on one boat where it felt like going down into a cave on a ladder. It was a large center cockpit design. Mine on the other hand is a pilothouse and there are only three steps down into the pilothouse. You have to step over the 10" bridgedeck to get on the first step. At the forward end of the pilothouse there are three more steps down into the bowels of the boat. The engine and tanks are midships, under the pilothouse sole. When standing in the galley (lowest level) one is at eye level with those sitting in the pilothouse.

[TAK]

CALIBER 40s have 4 wide steps .. one of the easiest for the labs to climb up and down on.

[dwightgry]

Plumper- coming from powerboats I sometimes feel that "cave" thing in my boat and was wondering about the options. A pilothouse sure is an option, just don't see too many down in the Caribbean. I usually (power)boat in BC. tho.

Tak- like the Calibers, will look at the 40'