Pilot house boats

[deniseO30]

What's everyone's take (good bad and indifferent) on these types of ( beautiful (to me) sailboats? Also, feelings about having such a boat on the Chesapeake? I know the heat of sultry summers is a factor.

this one took my breath away.. don't know why can't buy it. at least not yet The Sailing Emporium (Rock Hall, MD)

[eryka]

No wind here in summer time; unless you have a very light boat (the one you linked to doesn't qualify) you're either going to motor everywhere or stay tied to the dock. Inside steering will be a huge plus if you decide to go south for the winter, and multiple sail combinations will be nice also. Galley looks a bit skimpy for fulltime liveaboard, especially if you're heeled while underway.

Most important, though, if you think its beautiful, if it will make you happy seeing it as you come walking down the dock or rowing out to your mooring, then living aboard it will be a good thing.

[mpickering]

I like them. A pilot house motorsailer is on my list of future possible monohulls for cruising. I think it boils down to sailing style, desires and personal preference. I like it for the center cockpit (less perceived motion) and protection from the elements.

Matt

[RXBOT]

Not sure but forward mast looks like it is raked forward instead of aft, otherwise looks nice. However I would have thought you would stick to sloop for single handling purposes.

[deniseO30]

I'm just seeking opinions on those types. I like the idea of a pilot house boat but in this area.. no wind in summer as Eryka points out

[sailingdog]

If you want a nice pilothouse boat that works even in summer, how about one of these:

[thesnort]

That's a serious looking catamaran. Do you know what kind it is?

[LookingForCruiser]

Originally Posted by thesnort

That's a serious looking catamaran. Do you know what kind it is?

A Chris White Atlantic 42

A 42 - ChrisWhiteDesigns' Photos- powered by SmugMug

[JiffyLube]

Originally Posted by sailingdog

If you want a nice pilothouse boat that works even in summer, how about one of these:

I think he's looking for something around $60,000.

[jrd22]

Pilothouse, or the new term, Decksalon, boats have some pluses and some minus's just like all boats. I wouldn't have anything else for the location and type of cruising we do here in the PNW,BC,Alaska. We use the boat year round and I guess you could call us "fair weather sailors" in that we don't enjoy standing out in the rain when it's 40F. That's not the only reason to have a pilot house obviously, being able to see from the main salon almost everything you can see from the cockpit is a major plus both while sailing for those that need a warm up or to get out of the sun and also at anchor when you want to be inside but don't want to be down in a dark hole.
A well designed PH can sail and point almost as well as a comparable non PH. We don't keep up with the J boats, but keep up with and pass some 40' cruise type sailboats so I don't know that it would be fair to say that just because it's a PH it is going to do poorly in light winds (our winds are typically light during the summer here).
One trade off that most PH's suffer from is interior room, but lot's of storage. Most PH designs, like the Mariner you linked to, are restricted to the width inside the side decks for the width of the salon as opposed to a traditional design that is able to take advantage of the full width of the hull for living space. Typically when you step down to go forward from the salon in a PH (stateroom, galley, head, V-berth, etc) it's essentially the same as a traditional boat. We are partial to having a full steering station inside as well as the table up in the PH (our boat also has the galley up, which is unusual, but Laurie loves the view while cooking), many designs just have an autopilot and engine controls and many do not have the table in the salon.
Like you, I love the looks of a PH, they look more "boaty" to me, but then I like the looks of fishing boats too.
Our boat (Brewer designed Taiwan built) has traveled extensively in both the north and south Pacific without mishap, and I wouldn't hesitate to go offshore despite the dire warnings about the PH windows that come up in every PH discussion.
As far as heat goes, we have shades for the side windows and we are going to get something made for the windshield windows to block the sun while anchored and we have a light cover for the cockpit when at anchor. Last summer was an anomaly here in the PNW, we had 90+F days for several weeks while out cruising and although it was hot I don't know that we were hotter than anyone else.
You might want to look at the Shannon 38's as well, probably more expensive, or another step up would be the Sceptre 41/3. If price was no object I would love a Nauticat 39 or possibly a Cabo Rico 42.
PM me if you have any specific questions.