boats for tall folks?

pdxsailor · #1 (**permalink**) 05-12-2008

hey everyone. been out of the loop for some time now. still wanting to buy a boat, but kind of putting it on hold as i decided to go back to get my masters degree and wait until my old dog isn't with me anymore. however, i am still looking in case i find a deal that can't be passed up.

the problem is that every boat i look at is too short inside for me. i'm 6'3" and most boats, i find, are 6'-6'2" at best. i'm definitely interested in older boats that are in good condition, but not perfect, hmmm...something from the late 60's to mid 70's would be preferable. does anyone have any recommendations for older boats that have more than 6'3" headroom?

i'd also like something that is suitable to liveaboard and has offshore capability. i won't get more specific than that for the moment.

regarding length of boat: i would like to stay somewhere between 35-40' [approximately].

thanks

eryka · #2 (**permalink**) 05-12-2008

Check out the CSY, there's a few 37s and 44s on YachtWorld. 6'6" headroom & bunks. They're a bit newer than you mentioned, 1979-1981, but may work if you're looking for heavy/sturdy/slow bluewater boat.

DrB · #3 (**permalink**) 05-12-2008

like budget, length etc., answering your question will be tough. Bigger boats will have more headroom in general. Thant being said, an older Hinkley will never be big enough for you.

Also, don't rely on specs along for headroom. They are taken at who knows locations. I am 6' 6" and fit into my Pearson 10M (1979) which supposedly has a 6' 2" headroom. Only until I get to the head (forward) and the v-berth, do I have to duck. Main cabin I have about 1/2 inch clearance.

I have been in Bristol 29.9 that almost works even though it is supposedly 6' 2". I have been in a Bristol 32 and 35 and I felt like Gandalf going into a Bilbo Baggins hobbit hole. Best thing is to go some boats that fit your other criteria.

Catalina's typically have more headroom for the low 30's sized boats compared to others.

DrB.

ccollins0601 · #4 (**permalink**) 05-12-2008

I have a 1973 O'Day 27. I'm 6'4" and it has quite adequate headroom for me for a boat its size. I can stand in most parts of the cabin up to the v-berth while only needing to tilt my head just a bit. The 27 would probably not meet your requirements for liveaboard/offshore, but it may be worth looking at some of the larger O'Days.

Sailormann · #5 (**permalink**) 05-12-2008

According to someone who posted on a previous thread dealing with a somewhat different subject.... Fibreglass Will Stretch. So, if I were you, I'd look around for a boat I like and not worry too much about the headroom right now. Then I would tighten the bejesus out of the standing rigging and leave it like that in storage while I finished grad school. By the time I was ready to go, it should have stretched the topsides enough to fit me nicely.

Keelstepped mast would be important here.

Good Luck. Hope this helps....

Plumper · #6 (**permalink**) 05-13-2008

Wasn't it Hereshoff who said, "If you want to stand up go outside." I am 6'6" and I couldn't stand up in destroyers, any yacht with that kind of headroom is going to look funny. To me the most important thing is the length of the bunks.

pdxsailor · #7 (**permalink**) 05-14-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by eryka

Check out the CSY, there's a few 37s and 44s on YachtWorld. 6'6" headroom & bunks. They're a bit newer than you mentioned, 1979-1981, but may work if you're looking for heavy/sturdy/slow bluewater boat.

thanks for the info. hadn't looked at these boats before. not so sure i want shoal draft though. i'd prefer cut away full keel.

pdxsailor · #8 (**permalink**) 05-14-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrB

like budget, length etc., answering your question will be tough. Bigger boats will have more headroom in general. Thant being said, an older Hinkley will never be big enough for you.

Also, don't rely on specs along for headroom. They are taken at who knows locations. I am 6' 6" and fit into my Pearson 10M (1979) which supposedly has a 6' 2" headroom. Only until I get to the head (forward) and the v-berth, do I have to duck. Main cabin I have about 1/2 inch clearance.

I have been in Bristol 29.9 that almost works even though it is supposedly 6' 2". I have been in a Bristol 32 and 35 and I felt like Gandalf going into a Bilbo Baggins hobbit hole. Best thing is to go some boats that fit your other criteria.

Catalina's typically have more headroom for the low 30's sized boats compared to others.

DrB.

i think you are most likely correct on this. it's strange though that people don't list interior height more often in their listings.

pdxsailor · #9 (**permalink**) 05-14-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sailormann

According to someone who posted on a previous thread dealing with a somewhat different subject.... Fibreglass Will Stretch. So, if I were you, I'd look around for a boat I like and not worry too much about the headroom right now. Then I would tighten the bejesus out of the standing rigging and leave it like that in storage while I finished grad school. By the time I was ready to go, it should have stretched the topsides enough to fit me nicely.

Keelstepped mast would be important here.

Good Luck. Hope this helps....

...something about this just doesn't sound right to me. i'm not sure i would want to put the boat under that type of stress. and i think i would just end up damaging the boat more than anything. thanks for the suggestion though.

pdxsailor · #10 (**permalink**) 05-14-2008

...it was a Downeast 32. says it has 6'6" headroom. anyone know much about these boats? price was low as it was a donated boat to a charity who are now selling it.

also, i found a link somewhere to a Freya 39. i am in love. so far as i can tell this boat has all the characteristics that i am looking for in a boat [but, i don't know about headroom yet]. i'm looking for more information on these boats as there seems to be almost nothing via google or yahoo. i know they came in wood, steel and fiberglass versions.