Layout for Cruising Sailboat

[RussG]

I have sketched a layout for a boat with the following dimensions:
LOA - 50'
LWL - 39'
Beam - 12'
Draft - 5'

As I refine the layout I would like to hear what sort of pet ideas people have. For example, I like the idea of a wet locker accessible at the base of the companionway. I also like the idea of utilizing every nook and cranny (not to mean that I want to fill up the interior - cramped is not comfortable).

Any thoughts, experiences, things to avoid, must haves?

[Ian McColgin]

Firstly, you'll want to be clear to yourself about how you plan to cruise, how many in crew, sailing though the night regularly, etc.

If this boat is for a couple living aboard and sailing hard, the saloon area might have a pretty narrow sole and slim drop leaf and gimbled table to allow for transom berths outboard of the seats - good sleeping at the center of motion.

If you sail in the day and anchor for a raft up party at night, perhaps with a second couple along, a good galley and generous saloon come first and at least some of the sleeping accomodation can be converted from the saloon.

A wet locker at the foot of the companion is indeed really nice. Failing that, at least a place they can hang and drip. I hang mine in the shower locker, about 6' from the companion.

And so it goes. Be a pest and get invited as crew on lots of different boats to see what really works.

G'luck

[paladin]

Queen siz berths are nice but the only time you will use it is when you are not sailing....and are in port...it will become a place to toss sailbags when sailing. If the boat is aft cockpit, the galley all the way aft is nice for the watch crew who do not have to disturb someone sleeping to get a hot cuppa tea, coffee or whatever. A chart table all the way aft should also be considered under these circumstances, and face the chart table aft under the bridge deck or whatever you will call it, theres more room, the charts will stay dry, and are easy access....and you can put a dark draw curtain there across the boat to let the off watch sleep without being disturbed. If the galley is on one side and you have an aft head, put the head on the opposite side of the boat....it should also be considered to draw sea water from a strum box and not have a ga-zillion holes in the boat for water intake for six heads, the galley and whatever else. If the engine is aft and the wet locker is aft, say just ahead of the galley or close, consider running some waste heat from the engine, or hot water heater coilsfrom a heat exchanger into the bottom of the wet locker, a permanent vent, like a day/night Nicro electric ventilator should be at the top of the locker for ventilation........and consider if the boat is to be used for extended cruising in all weather conditions, the air intakes on the deck for ventilation should be in tubes that extend to the sole, and exhaust vents should do the same, if the boat rolls these vents suddenly are not open to the sea.......and the list goes on seemingly forever....
consider at least two stern anchors and tackle, minimum three forward anchors and extra chain and line....accomodations are nice but make sure the boat is built like a Mack truck and provision accordingly.