Cockpit considerations.

[paul anderson]

I am in two minds about my cockpit for my tiki 26.

I find the thing is very heavy.

Although I have added more drainage holes, i worry about being swamped at sea as it is.

I am considering replacing this with a timber deck to allow for fast drainage.

I note on the classic designs it was standard practice to have a slatted deck between the two hulls.

your input would be appreciated.

all the best paul.

[kim whitmyre]

Paul,

Those slatted decks are very wet, from what I have heard. Any significant drop off a crest causes water to jet up through the  openings.  On the other hand, as you say, they do allow any boarding water a fast exit.  My t26 has a non-standard cockpit; kind of a pain sometimes, but not a pain sometimes. It has a flat deck, with 2 hatches that allow access. For sailing, I usually stuff the hatches inside the cockpit, for a more comfortable seating position. I have not experienced a boarding wave, but in serious conditions, I would likely put the hatches back in their deck positions. This would deflect most of the water to the slatted seats nearest the hulls.

I have a sailing friend who was worked for the Navy on a test-bed submarine for most of his career; he pointed out that light boats, especially multihulls, are like corks: they float exceedingly well!  Heavy vessels plunge and rise in a much different way.

As long as your drainage is sufficient. I would imagine you will be fine!

[Galway Bay]

I have never flooded my cockpit in 20 yrs.  Fit good size openings aft and forget. Make alterations based on your experience.  Launch the boat.  Do not sit at home over-cooking it. I would love to see some photos of your boat in the water. She must be pretty much complete now ? I and many others I imagine have been following your progress.  Very best wishes.

[paul anderson]

Thank you fellas for the feed back, from your responses i am leaning towards leaving it as is for now. I spoke to a mate of mine about borrowing a crane truck for the launch yesterday. soon i tell ya, she will be in the water.

paul,

[kim whitmyre]

Superfragilisticexpialidocious! 

;~)

[Galway Bay]

Good for you Paul !!

Launched mine in Aug. '92 still doing improvements - planning a 21st birthday this year !! You already have a fine boat do not let the False God  of "Perfection" steal away your Sailing Time !! Bon Voyage !! Go n-Eiri an Bothar Leat !!

[paul anderson]

G.B thanks for the encouragement.To be honest the lack of a $$ at the moment is at the root of the thing.But i worked like a mad man to get the boat to this stage so it will not be ''another broken dream'' project you see sadly under tarps on ones travels.

I have just finished reading ole Jim's two cats and two girls.Really oponed my eyes to what this man achieved. A bloody genius if you ask me.

On another note, those early plywood cats he built, were they fibre glassed?

[Galway Bay]

Hey man great to connect with you - I see the effort you have made and I admire it.

Those early boats - well many were built cheaply and simply and gave great service for 10yrs or so after which they needed a major refit/build. Early boats were not sheathed indeed as I remember it it was only in the late 60's that the 1088 standard marine ply became available. There was very fine ply available but it took experience to find it. In some ways it was true that once the standard was set some manafacturers built "down " to the standard. A big difference was that face plies used to be the the same thickness as internal plies now face plies meet high standards but are only paper thin.

Not only early sheathing but all early glueing was woeful compared to epoxy.

Attitudes and expectations were different. Very few worried about re-sale. You built a boat simply and cheaply had a great voyage/adventure and moved on. My heart is still in those days !!

I myself am strongly of the "Go Sailing" camp but I also empathise with those who find that the adventure started the day they first put jigsaw to ply ! To each his own !

Here there are still ways around the ££ problem. I have never paid for one night's mooring in 20 yrs. Same story slipping etc. etc..

You have put huge effort into this boat I and many await your launch day !!

[paul anderson]

Galway.

You are right about go sailing now.When i started the build I tortured myself with making it look purty,I still do at times but am a bit more forgiving now.

Sadly it seems a lot of people have bought into the idea that boating/sailing is only for the wealthy.These impressions are backed up by the crazy prices wanted for multihulls these days.

Then again today most people want an aircon/fridge and the kitchen sink with standing  headroom... your point that people built the boat to take them places is no longer a philosophy that is popular.

cheers P.

[laurent]

Why not a full trampoline with a canvas rollable ? Like Cookie's Rory way : safe, light, confortable, easy to install, not expensive if you do it yourself like Roger's one ? i am thinking of that for this next summer before new painting . It should be possible to respect some depht to the cockpit . Some photos of 26' catamaran trampoline  installation:

[Roger]

Hi Paul,

I think you might be over-analyzing it. My Tiki 21 has the standard solid floor and is lower to the water than a 26. I have had breaking waves over the deck on more than one occasion and it has not been an issue - the water rolls right back over the side. I think that what may be more important for the flooding/drainage issue is what you do at each end of the boat i.e that it is important to not deck in the bow or stern spaces, but leave them as low windage and weight mesh or trampoline.

Good luck,

[paul anderson]

@ Laurent I like the idea from a weight point of few very much it  makes sense,but i am like a buffalo in a tutu when it comes to balancing;)

@Roger,mate you are probably right, i will see how she sails with the cockpit first and if need be make changes when I plan my first long distance voyage.

all the best paul.

[Galway Bay]

Disarming modesty there ! I'll bet you are a twinkletoes on the dancefloor ! Of the noble buffalo I have no experience but I have worked with the elephant and they are very graceful creatures !

Yes, Paul, suck it 'n see is the best policy. Go sailing. When I started building my father told me  " Nail what you can Screw what you must and Bolt Only What You Have To". Keep your energy / resources for only those things you Cannot Live Without.

No one can sit at home guessing what will/ will not work. This is the job of the shakedown cruise. Two seasons of shaking-down is not too much preparation for a genuine long voyage.

Bon Voyage mate  !!