Hi All -
I'm almost ashamed that I've been following Stevensonson Projects for so long but I have to say that I'm ready to build (well almost I have special problems where I live which should clear up this year). I now have my plans - the Vacationer- and am trying to read and understand everything before I start. I also have the videos and Weekender building book. I live in South Florida - FT Lauderdale and my wife Barbara & I plan to sail the Intercoastal - perhaps to New York & Long Island Sound and a circumnavigation of Florida.
We are thinking of one change that I really would like some feed-back on. We want to raise the cabin top about 12" at about 1/2 way back from the cabin front. This would give us much more room in the busiest part of the cabin and allow an enclosed head on one side and working galley on the other, please understand, we're in our 70's and the old joints just don't take to all the bending and kneeling otherwise required. This raising of the aft end of the cabin was done in the past in converting older Skipjacks and Bugeyes to (yachty) cruisers. We've built at least 12 boats in the past and construction doesn't present any problems.
What's your opinion ???
Aloha - Jack Spoering - Ft Lauderdale, Fl
Jack that mod will not present any problems. You will want to raise the rig as well just to save your head. This is really a good idea.
Hi Craig -
Thanks for your prompt reply to my raised cabin query. Yes, I figured I'd probably have to raise the mast height an equal amount but as you say it shouldn't present a problem. The only real problem I forsee is that my forward vision might be interfered with ? At this point I don't know where the cabin top comes into view when sitting in the cockpit at the wheel.
I've looked up Shalimar on the Florida state map --- looks like you have some wonderful waters to cruise around in. Hope this years hurricans treated you kindly.
Aloha - Jack Spoering - FT Lauderdale
Thanks Jack. Yes, it is very nice here. You are correct that the visibility is going to be an issue with a 12" increase in cabin height. I usually sit on the side and after deck when sailing my boat. It is the only way to see to both sides of her. My sail looks really high; however, there is a bimini in my head that takes up the extra height. That will also complicate my visibility issues so spacing is critical. You may wish to keep the outer sides of the raised cabin portion lower to accommodate the visibility issue. Fla DOT allows 8.5" of trailered beam before a permit is required. If I were doing this over I would add that 6" to the beam and 2-3' to the length. I mostly day sail so duffer insufficient cockpit and a surplus of cabin. I would place the extra length just aft of the cabin bulkhead. This would involve sail plan redesign however. This boat does not have sufficient foresail as drawn, so you may want to go with a 125 or larger jib right from the start. I am not happy with the motor mounting on the Saralee. There are a couple of folks who installed the outboards in wells and motor houses aft of the wheel. Capân Trey was working on a method to raise and lower his motor vertically to get the foot out of the water and reduce drag. Another mod installs the steering gear in a pedestal forward of the laz bulkhead. This would also require a cockpit extension to maintain the same seating space. There is a lot that can be done with these boats; however, the hull and keel arraignment limit what is really practical in many cases. Take a look at Jim Sanders boat when the site is fully restores. He and Par have made radical changes to the keel. You may wish to consult with Par on your ideas as well There are about 6 of our members who are professional bout builders so there is plenty of help here for your building plans and modifications.
Hi Jack,
Your idea of a higher cabin is a good idea. Apparently, you intend to raise the aft section of the cabin, but not the front.
We raised our cabin 6 inches at the apex or crown. The sides, of course, were also raised proportionally. If I may say so, the crown is where you want the extended height.
As to visibility, Craig would know best here. We can easily see over our cabin roof, but only if seated on the deck.
I would highly recommend PAR's modified keel, but it will take some doing. I think you'll like these boats; the Vacationer is huge.
Another option, if you want more cockpit space, is to use a bridgdeck. This modification takes the aft part of your cabin and converts it into a large seat while still leaving an area to stick your feet when laying down.
However, in reading your post I gather you want to increase the cabin size. You might consider reducing the size of the side decks and having the cabin sides flush to the sides of the boat. Problem with this solution is you would have to walk on the roof of the cabin to go forward.
Another problem with raising the cabin roof 12" (in addition to visibility) is that it increases windage which you don't want a lot of on a flat bottomed boat. Windage means the wind profile of your boat other than the controllable sail area which can affect how well you can motor her and how she acts on a windy day. The big keel on the Stevensons boat goes a long way towards mitigating this but just something else to think about. BTW, to increase visibility you could raise the height of your seats which would increase storage area but, with correspondingly higher coamings, might also increase windage.
I raised the cabin on my Vacationer 4" and I'm happy with it. I can see fairly well around the deck sides but sitting in the cockpit it's hard to see over the cabin. I sit on the aft deck sometimes and can see fine from there. Ed Jones raised the cabin on his PC about as high as you are wanting to go with yours and ended up cutting it off and starting over. It was just too high to see over. He lowered his cabin but made a canvas covered opening all the way from the back of the cabin to the front. He can now walk in the cabin all the way to the mast with the canvas removed. You may want to think about that option. The vacationer is a nice boat and a real attention getter. The ICW might be a great place to sail her with a low rig and shallow draft you can get almost anywhere with her without waiting for tides and a lot of bridges.
Here are a couple links to my boat and a fall messabout. Perhaps you can attend out next get together and take a sail with us, you may even join the fleet, we could always use another member.
http://home.earthlink.net/~gaffrig24/200...kmessaboat
http://home.earthlink.net/~gaffrig24/
www.geocities.com/kalsphere/Vacationer.html
Keith
If I have to build a Vacationer again, I would rise the cabin a little. Not too much. The boats fine shape would not be as nice as it's now. The visibility is not such an issue.
Hi All -
Well, it's really great to see all the input coming from the group. I'm now wondering, just what is the normal cabin height for Vacationer ? Going over the plans I come up with about 42 inches - how close am I ?
Aloha - Jack Spoering - Ft Lauderdale
Hi Jack,
Being some months away from the anticipated start of my first boat build i'm not sure if this idea may help you.
Here in Norfolk our traditional Broads yachts have lifting cabin roofs that hinge at the forward edge. The aft edge is raised about 18" and the sides sealed with canvas that tucks inside with the roof lowered for sailing. The roof is held in place by two short stilts at the aft end and the whole roof and cockpit is covered with a boom tent whilst moored for extra weatherproofing. This is visible on some of the photos on my local yards website,
www.huntersyard.co.uk .
I'm not sure if this would be possible with an 'unframed' boat but if you don't need the headroom whilst sailing it might be worth considering.
Hope this helps.
Mark.