Side Deck width

jimthom · #1 (**permalink**) 12-31-2004

Does anyone have any opinions on the minimum width of the side decks on a 35'' yacht, particularly near the shrouds?

Thanks, Jimthom

paulk · #2 (**permalink**) 01-01-2005

Talk to two sailors about deck width, and you''re likely to come up with five opinions about it. A big deck width is nice so you can drag the new jib forward, up from the cockpit locker, with the least amount of hassle when you change jibs. Of course many people now find it easier to simply furl their roller-furler jib from the cockpit, and not bother going forward at all. What''s wide enough depends a lot on how much the boat heels. If the boat heels just a little, narrower decks could be OK. If the boat heels a lot, wider decks would make it easier to maneuver. If the boat REALLY heels a lot, you''ll be walking on the cabin trunk anyway, so the width of the deck wouldn''t make too much difference, and you might like the added space below if the decks were narrow. Lots of options and opinions.

jimthom · #3 (**permalink**) 01-01-2005

Thank you paulk for your overview, it is pretty much what I needed to hear.
jimthom

starcresttoo · #4 (**permalink**) 01-01-2005

the proper term for the aforementioned area is "catwalk"

paulk · #5 (**permalink**) 01-01-2005

Always thought the catwalk was the raised pathway (does is qualify as a gangway?) between the engine house (aft) and the bridge house (midships) on a tanker. Never heard of one on a sailboat before. If you don''t learn something every day, why wake up?

DelmarRey · #6 (**permalink**) 01-02-2005

According to the "Lenfestey Dictionary of Nautical Terms" (8,500 words and terms) A CATWALK is a narrow walk way between slips or piers to small boats, a metal grating across a deck or in an engine room.

And the deck area next to the shrouds would be called the "deck amidships"

elhanley · #7 (**permalink**) 01-04-2005

If anyone says, "deck amidships" to me, I''ll make believe I didn''t hear them.

starcresttoo · #8 (**permalink**) 01-06-2005

just dont ask to walk the gangplank

DelmarRey · #9 (**permalink**) 01-08-2005

Here ay was lying ahull but still made an attempt to lie astry. Just about fell over when I caught the pigstick and started a vail. So I took in a couple wraps and hauled m''self up on the futtocks.
Yo ho way to go you lubber! One ell of a day at sea! Was on a loxodrome heading when ay came across a skerry and about filled my skivvies. Must be a waister. The cap''n commanded "mind yur tiller". So we veered off to vector hoping we did''t run a muk. Managed to find the narrows and put a shore. That''s it, Neptune had his way with us and we be landlubbers now............><))))º>