"Portuguese bridge design" means WHAT?

JWY · 08-31-2006, 01:47 AM

Thanks for help posting the photo.

As to Ben's original post about a Portuguese bridge, you can see where this helps deflect water over the piltohouse top, improves visibility, and prevents waves from hitting full force into the windows. The photo shows the railings which provide additional safety. Storage access is on the inside of the bulwark. And as mentioned, the "overboard prevention for men" is on the inside of the bulward on a sistership.

Hope this helps.

brian eiland · 09-24-2006, 06:18 AM

Here's a rather interesting bridge arrangement on a sailing trimaran. I haven't seen too many such bridges on sailing yachts. The bridge was done rather well, but the arch/tower was certainly not very pretty.

I took this photo at a Ocean Marine in Thailand during a recent trip

Alik · 01-06-2007, 12:28 AM

Regarding the tower, this is my design.

One can compare original alloy tower with new one we did in stainless/teakwood gratings/FRP roof. New tower is wider and easy to access, this is favourite place for guests to sit when running between islands. Note that all parts of new tower are structural and functional at the same time: for instance, handrails and ladders provide frame structures...

Sure, tower is not top elegancy, but please have in mind that the whole boat exterior is 'workboat' style. We did complete refit of this 87' trimaran during last two years.

tri - star · 02-11-2007, 10:21 AM

To KCook:

Ironic humour can often wizz right past people.......
Best to stay upwind.

Which brings us to:
JWY and WannabeYhtsman
Re: the various life saving aspects of the Portuguese Bridge.
Like containing, a semi private space, when nature calls.

As further evidence of the # one cause of man - over board,
comes from the Canadian Coast Guard, I belive.
That something like 50% of male bodies recovered from
the sea - their pants are unzipped and their blood alcohol
level is high.

We are treading periously close to Black Humour here.
But as the safety of people we design boats for - is always
a major concern - this simple addition to the bridge design,
could truly be: a life saver!

Cheers all !