Hadn't thought about the cabin traffic, thanks for the insight.
Darrell
Meridian 459? Not a pretty boat, but certainly has lots of room packed into 45', and has big sliding door from the cockpit into the aft cabin, and hence forward into the salon. OR just 3 steps up to the sundeck. Makes boarding from a tender with groceries, pets etc., quite easy. They've been quite popular for a reason. Before you go doubting their seakeeping abilities, just know one ran on it's bottom from Sydney to Tasmania. Have you seen the Bass Strait? I wouldn't even take the high speed ferry cat across it.
Direct sunlight is my enemy (blue eyes and previous exposure to high-altitude sunlight). No sundeck here, nor flying bridge, thank you. Will stay in pilothouse except for momentary excursions.
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(The bear thinks similarly.)
Mark, what were you and Teddy finding so interesting?![]()
Yes, and the OP indicated that a sundeck was a given. Sundeck with cockpit is a very specific configuration. Sedans with a back porch/deck are a different animal and typically are less efficient regarding interior space utilization. Less stairs...yes. More space....no.
I can't recall seeing one with access from the aft cabin that does not also have an exterior ladder. And aft cabin access tends to be in the 50+' range. I've attached some photos of our 44' Ocean Alexander sundeck/cockpit, which utilizes a short ladder (only) from the cockpit to the sundeck. On the Great Lakes it's common to see both floating and fixed height docks. The cockpit provides safe boarding both from low docks and a dinghy....and great for taking the dog ashore from an anchorage. Also makes line handling easier in locks, for example. Boarding from low docks would be a real chore without the cockpit.
We're summer live-aboards and would not own another configuration. Best of all worlds...if you don't mind a few steps between levels. Nieces and nephews fish from the cockpit...and it's also a good storage area for bikes, etc.
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One of the things I prefer on a Sedan over a CPMY is the lack of steps. As I get older and the legs/knees/ankles/feet seem to be less tolerant of steps, I like the concept of one level all the way from the cockpit through the salon and into the galley. That was a MUST HAVE thing when we were looking for a boat.
Our cockpit and swim platform allow lots of room to move around, fish from, sunbathe on or just relax....and no steps.
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I guess that's why the make many different styles of boats....we all have our preferences. Part of the fun of shopping for a boat is being able to go aboard many different designs and seeing which work best for us.