[Viceroy]

Small yacht (55 to 65 feet loa) with an “on-deck” master stateroom. Why? We were sail-boaters in our younger years and changed to a motor yacht until it was recently sold. In both cases, our cruising style was and remains, slow and easy with many days throughout the year, spent anchored in remote coves and inlets of the Pacific Northwest. Self-sufficiency is a given as is sea-worthiness. Our biggest complaint has always been the “tunnel effect” we find below, particularly in dark, un-sunlit, viewless sleeping cabins. I subscribe to, or pick up, a variety of yachty magazines and have yet to see a good design that provides the master cabin we desire in a pleasing and capable vessel...probably "trawler-style". Aside from privacy issues and the engineering/construction of the windows (not ports), what’s wrong with lying in bed and being able to enjoy the scenery…raining or not? Anyone in this forum have any ideas or suggestions? Cheers, Richard.

[YachtForums]

Hi Richard and welcome to YachtForums...

I'm sure there are others, but the first boat that came to mind with an on-deck master in the 55'-65' range is Nordhavn's 55'. Although the master stateroom windows are portholes on the Nordhavn, it certainly meets the seaworthy, trawler-type criteria. Here's a link to the YF review...

http://www.yachtforums.com/forums/no...5-trawler.html

If you can go up a few feet, Johnson's 87' Pilothouse offers an on-deck master with panoramic views over the bow. Big-boat features in a pocket size yacht (by today's standards! ) Here's a link on the Johnson 87' ...

http://www.yachtforums.com/forums/jo...ouse-87-a.html

I agree with your question and you've raised a good point. On deck masters, or atleast a room-with-a-view, should be mandatory. Much like common sense, if there was a place to purchase it, it should be required equipment.

[KCook]

The newest MYs by Azimut and Ferretti sport large stateroom windows in the side of the hull! Which raises a raging red flag in the minds of some of us.

There are also aft cabin designs with largish widows in the transom for that stateroom. Every one of these that I've seen has been esthetically challenged, however

Kelly Cook

[Viceroy]

Many thanks for your comments. For clarity I should have added that our cruising ambitions are pretty lame. Ocean crossings (been there, got the t-shirt) and hosting hoards of family and friends are no longer in the picture. Yes, we occasionally do have to punch our way through some nasty seas in the Inside Passage waters but we’re never more than an hour or two run from some protective cove or lee shore…even at 8 to 10 knots…to consider our options. The Nordhaven is too much boat and the 87 footer, way too much!

I’ve actually been thinking of having a stock or semi-custom vessel with an aft salon modified and constructed asymmetrically (side deck only on starboard side, flush on port) to provide the necessary width for a proper stateroom and head, plus a passageway to the aft deck. That would eliminate the salon for all intents and purposes. However, a large bridge deck with helm, seating and dining area would serve as a central operating area and it’s where everyone gathers, anyway. For the two of us…perfect.

A galley down is likely, albeit not the handiest location but it can contain (with proper ventilation) the odours and moisture that comes with cooking. Any guest accommodation would be down and forward. I’m probably looking at a double/queen and a couple of Pullman berths for grandkids.

High on my priority list would be a commodious engine room, ideally, walk-in with sufficient room for all the “stuff” of self-sufficiency and redundancy. Thinking about what has been written already, the engine room would be located amidships, under the bridge deck, where in most conventional yacht configurations, a master stateroom would probably be located. And this presents a long list of other modifications, not the least of which would be the long shaft run.

Oh well, back to the drawing board! Maybe a completely custom build is in the future. Thinking outside the box (hate that expression) I guess I should look at diesel electric propulsion and other innovations. No rush, though, as current semi-retirement leading full time boating is still a couple of years away. Again, any thoughts? Cheers, Richard.

[Yachtguy]

Originally Posted by Viceroy

Many thanks for your comments. For clarity I should have added that our cruising ambitions are pretty lame. Ocean crossings (been there, got the t-shirt) and hosting hoards of family and friends are no longer in the picture. Yes, we occasionally do have to punch our way through some nasty seas in the Inside Passage waters but we’re never more than an hour or two run from some protective cove or lee shore…even at 8 to 10 knots…to consider our options. The Nordhaven is too much boat and the 87 footer, way too much!

I’ve actually been thinking of having a stock or semi-custom vessel with an aft salon modified and constructed asymmetrically (side deck only on starboard side, flush on port) to provide the necessary width for a proper stateroom and head, plus a passageway to the aft deck. That would eliminate the salon for all intents and purposes. However, a large bridge deck with helm, seating and dining area would serve as a central operating area and it’s where everyone gathers, anyway. For the two of us…perfect.

A galley down is likely, albeit not the handiest location but it can contain (with proper ventilation) the odours and moisture that comes with cooking. Any guest accommodation would be down and forward. I’m probably looking at a double/queen and a couple of Pullman berths for grandkids.

High on my priority list would be a commodious engine room, ideally, walk-in with sufficient room for all the “stuff” of self-sufficiency and redundancy. Thinking about what has been written already, the engine room would be located amidships, under the bridge deck, where in most conventional yacht configurations, a master stateroom would probably be located. And this presents a long list of other modifications, not the least of which would be the long shaft run.

Oh well, back to the drawing board! Maybe a completely custom build is in the future. Thinking outside the box (hate that expression) I guess I should look at diesel electric propulsion and other innovations. No rush, though, as current semi-retirement leading full time boating is still a couple of years away. Again, any thoughts? Cheers, Richard.

I am a custom yacht builder/designer. I have had many requests for on deck master in the 70-90 foot range we build in. I will follow this topic and see what comes up. I have not had the time to work on this layout however I might consider trying to put the master head a few steps down and forward. I have seen it on much larger yachts and some sailing yachts. This would help to free up some length on the main deck as it would be my goal to keep the galley up.

[AMG]

Originally Posted by Yachtguy

I am a custom yacht builder/designer. I have had many requests for on deck master in the 70-90 foot range we build in. I will follow this topic and see what comes up. I have not had the time to work on this layout however I might consider trying to put the master head a few steps down and forward. I have seen it on much larger yachts and some sailing yachts. This would help to free up some length on the main deck as it would be my goal to keep the galley up.

I have made this layout on a design you can see here; http://www.yachtforums.com/forums/6583-post77.html

Should be an owner operated live-aboard boat with a crew area aft that can be used also for guests if no crew is hired.

[Yachtguy]

That is an excellent design. I like the look too. Now to try to recreate that concept into a much smaller boat. Certainly will be a challenging likely better suited to a displacement hull with Lcg further forward. I think that is what the goal was in the first place but I would stay away from a hull designed for the higher speeds as she would be a real dog. I suspect the beam would end up being pretty wide to accomodate this. The concern would be it may end up still being a pretty large boat. Pretty pricey to build. Especially if she were built totally one off.
I think if it could be pulled off there would be an opportunity for a series.
PR

[Viceroy]

Thanks for the replies...and yachtguy, you're in the neighbourhood (B.C.) and I'll keep you on file. I still think something in the 58' range is possible and the master head down a few steps wouldn't seem to pose a problem. In fact, having the associated plumbing and chases adjacent to the engine room could be beneficial and efficient. Cheers, Richard.

[Yachtguy]

Yeah! I was born in Calgary! Family moved west when I was 3. They took me along.
I was thinking raised pilothouse would be one way. The master head would be forward like AMG's design. The master would be down a few steps from the galley and the head down a few more steps up against the Chain locker BH. If the master were fully on deck I think the pilothouse would be a third deck (Trideck) Again big boat like the Nordhavn. Too Big too costly. That is if cost is an issue. I will venture down the series path which would likely mean Value oriented price point. So my above description would be one way of keeping the height down. Lower height, less weight up high means smaller hull, lighter structure etc.. and so we try to work our way down that way. I would assume no crew or very small crew for occasional captain only.??? For reference only what is driving the length restriction? If it is to keep cost down then consider sometimes it is more costly to try to squeeze more into less. Not saying AMG's 84 footer could be built for less than a Nordhavn 55 but if the Designer/Builder know up front what is driving the length restriction then more practical decisions can be made. You will end up with a better boat for it.
PR

[KCook]

It is smaller than was asked for here. But it's interesting to note that the windows for the aft cabin on Carver's 43 MY let in more daylight that most aft cabins.

Kelly