Todays Waypoint is from former Practical Sailor editor Dan Spurrs book Spurrs Guide to Upgrading Your Cruising Sailboat.
As with the boats interior, the best deck layout is arrived at only after a season or two of sailing. You learn where its most convenient to put your feet down, the most convenient pathway to your stern (often cluttered with jerricans, solar panels, outboard motor bracket, flag etc.) to tend to the dinghy painter, and the places where people prefer to sit. Eventually you begin to settle on how best to add equipment or make changes to existing features.
You can often identify a true cruising boat by the amount of stuff (Id like to say junk) on deck. Sometimes it seems there just isn’t room belowdeck for everything-barbecue grill, second anchor and rode, dinghy oars, and much more. Many of us feel that this stuff is essential, and that our lives would be more difficult or less pleasant without it. But let me chasten thee: gear on deck weathers quickly; obstructs access around the boat; is in danger of being swept away in a storm, often to the endangerment of crew and other fixtures, such as stanchions and lifelines; and is just plain ugly. Theres nothing worse than a rusty bicycle lashed on the stern pulpit. To my mind, if you can’t fit it below deck in a locker, don’t bring it.
For additional advice and information on ways to upgrade cruising sailboat, purchase Spurr’s Guide to Upgrading Your Cruising Sailboat today!
