Thick or thin waisted, how do you like them?
January 2nd 2007 06:52
40' cruiser from the sixties
Thick or thin waisted?
How do you like your girls, thick or thin waisted? I ask this question in anticipation of motor vessels. I was involved in a long and drug induced (wine and beer only) conversation with some mates the other day. What sort of boat do we prefer?
It was without doubt that modern shaped designs were not in favour. Too bulky and thick waisted. Trying to squeeze too much room down below and not leaving any space up top. We shifted our gaze to a boat in question. It had a safety rail running around the outside of the boat but the side deck was only wide enough to place one foot at a time and there were no hand holds. The safety rail was below knee height. What great opportunity to break a leg!
The ore deck was curved from the windscreen to the small bowsprit where an anchor was situated. There was know where to hold on while on the foredeck, how are you supposed to lower or lift the anchor? By using the electronic anchor winch. Of all the many boats I have known this is the first bit of machinery that breaks down. Meaning you have to anchor by hand. How are you supposed to move about the deck to tie up to a mooring or wharf? You can’t. Next time you see one of these sleek babies at a boat show ask the salesman to perform a few seamanship tasks on the side or foredeck. He will suddenly find himself engrossed in conversation on his mobile phone.
We then turned to some old fashioned boats. Old and tired looking but with nice wide decks, strong hand holds on the cabin roof for hanging onto in a sea. Wide uncluttered foredecks with hand operated winches that never broke down. Yes they might wear out but never break down.
There is also something romantic in the shape of the older cruisers, similarly with yachts. Why change the basic shape? It is poorly a question of style and fashion, nothing to do with seamanship.
Now should I start on the poor sea qualities of some of our Sydney Hobart boats? Better not I will sound like a grizzler!
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