Fedor,
The cockpit table would probably be easier, and also result in a
lighter boat.
It's mostly the result of the design criteria: the largest
trailerable/transportable we can get away with, at the same time
being the smallest long-term cruiser we're willing to tolerate.
Putting the table inside is the result of sliding down a steep and
slippery slope.
To be honest, Rob's weekender, or even the woodenboat design, do
everything we would need. Not everything we'd want, but everything
we'd need.
However, we can already camp-cruise, and basically just don't do
it. If we make the leap to a larger boat, it will be big enough to
spend a few months in the Caribbean. Not with a washer/dryer/living
room, but with at least some amenities and space that make life more
pleasant.
If we widen the hull a bit, we could put a dinging table inside
and get the following advantages:
- An interior dining table one side of the windward hull.
- A folding desk/chart table to the other side in an "owner's
cabin" sort of design.
- Cockpit stays totally free and open, with any sort of hard top
or bimini being optional.
- We could also put a table in the cockpit for nice weather, as
well as rig up a cover system and screens/clears for a big upstairs
while at anchor.
- People can dine at the table, or just hang out, while real
sailing is going on.
- Serious weather and/or sailing requirements (sheet handling,
sight lines) won't affect the dining/relaxing situation
- There's a whole other space for people to be in, which is
important if you're in close quarters for a long time.
- That windward hull will feel bigger.
- Less windage.
I really like to be out in the sun and the wind, with a tiller in
hand, and don't want windows, walls, a saloon, or anything else in
the way of that fun, particularly while daysailing. If I can keep
that open feel, while allowing for additional spaces inside, and
retain the option for an upstairs table/room, then that's my ideal
boat.
The interior table is also a fixed requirement for my wife, but I
can't really use that as an excuse because I'd probably want it
anyway.
As long as we're going to step up from spartan accommodations,
we're going to take two steps up and get an interior.
But the boat would definitely be smaller, lighter, and less
expensive if the table weren't down below.
- Mike
Mike
out of curiosity - why the table downstairs? To me it seems some of the elegance to not reproduce the same feature 2times - wouldn't it be easier to make the cockpit semi- protected? Open when you want it - closed when you need it? Think I would be willing to sacrifice some 'easy passage inside by moving cockpit slightly onto the hull)
(inside is for sleeping, cooking, head)
Some other thoughts:
Folding - think Farrier has proven bullet-proof - but Dragonly has demonstrated the wish for more 'marina'use. Personally I think I could live with teh compromise 3.5-4M wide when folded - demountable/additional work acceptable for incidental trailering.
Say you would have a LW hull of 36ft/11m - 2 ends folding to 30ft/9m. Saling width of around 5-6m, marina width 3.5-4M (probably good enough for 'dry sailing as well) -
Size/Cost - Think it is currently wise to go in the direction of 'less is more' given economy etc. Another thought I would be willing to investigate is a 'pop-up' part - for exaple around the galley. Again - 90% of tthe time you will not be cooking or 1.9M/6'4" headroom) Although it is compfortable. I I want to sail 'soon' I probaby need to keep the building costs down.. i.e. limited complex shapes
Fedor