On Sun, 06 Jun 2004 07:56:38 -0700, Stephen Trapani
wrote:


Does anyone know how much these forward facing ports, etc increase one's
ability to pilot from the cabin? say with an autopilot and remote
control? This would be my main reason for putting one on my '79 Hunter
33,' not to make the cabin into the helm, but to feel freer and safer to
go below for longer while on autopilot.

Stephen

It would depend a great deal on the design of the cabin. On my Yamaha
30, the front of the cabin was so low, and sloped so slightly, that
you wouldn't get any useful visibility from a forward port. Often,
the slope of the deck, and debris on the foredeck (anchor winch and
anchor, stowed sails, etc) would severely limit your visibility.

To get useful visibility, you would need a cabin that is fairly high
forward, with a near-vertical forward bulkhead, and a clear foredeck
with little upwards slope towards the bow.


--
Peter Bennett, VE7CEI
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