7 Large Cockpit Sailboats: When Size Matters
Are you in the market for a large cockpit sailboat?
Whether you’re a liveaboard couple or a large family, having a sailboat with a large cockpit is extremely desirable.
When shopping for sailboats we had no idea what we wanted or needed. We were just looking for something that would sail and that was within our very tight budget!
Having lived aboard for four years now there are several things we would find hard to leave off the list when shopping for a new boat, and a big cockpit would be number one! Especially if you plan on sailing with a baby or children.
Having the space to entertain large numbers of guests, sleep on the cockpit lockers, move around with ease underway, and all the added storage has made living aboard pretty dreamy, and we’re always the envy of friends when they see just how big our cockpit is.
In this blog post, we’ll take a look at some of the highest-quality boats with big cockpits available and provide you with all the information you need to make an informed purchase.
Table of Contents
- Kadey Krogen 38
- Sense 50
- Hunter 38
- Catalina 387
- Pearson 35
- Tartan 10
- Catamaran
- Advantages of large cockpit sailboats
- Disadvantages of having a big cockpit
Sailboats With Huge Cockpits
Here are our top picks for sailboats with spacious cockpits.
#1 Kadey Krogen 38
The Kadey Krogen 38 makes the number one spot, and not just because it’s the boat we own!
Kadey Krogen 38s are quite an unusual boat. There aren’t that many of them around, and most are in America. There are a tonne of awesome features and so many things we love about this boat, but probably our favourite thing is the enormous cockpit.
Our sailboat Hot Chocolate has a really wide cockpit, with deep seats that are so comfortable. We often sleep outside on them they are that comfortable!
The cockpit feels really enclosed even though it’s spacious, so we never feel unsafe. There are high sides, and there’s a locker at the stern so it has the feel of a centre cockpit. There are plenty of places to brace yourself against when heeling, and lots of clip in points too.
We really love the design of the Kadey Krogens as liveaboard boats too, as they’re roomy inside and have plenty of space for entertaining inside in the winter months.
If you’re looking for a boat that sails well, is safe in big seas, and has spacious outside and living areas then this is the boat for you!
#2 Sense 50
The Beneteau Sense 50 has been dubbed a monomaran, because it has a cockpit so wide you feel as though you’re on a catamaran. If you love the space of a catamaran and the feel of a monohull then this might be the perfect boat for you!
The boat has a wide swim platform that makes it easy to climb on and off the boat. Visability from the helms is excellent and the seats behind each helm lift and open out to clear the entire transom.
One of the best features of this cockpit is the table that can be lowered to make an outdoor berth for two! There is also plenty of storage outside.
This is an impressive boat but it also comes at an impressive price. If you’re looking for something with a real wow factor then the Sense 50 is definitely worth checking out.
#3 Hunter 38
The Hunter 38 has a great sized cockpit that will seat 8 comfortably. The cockpit feels nice and roomy when entertaining, and the seats are comfortable too.
One of the interesting things about this cockpit design is the folding wheel, which gives you more space to move around when you need it.
The main disadvantage to the cockpit of the Hunter 38 is the lack of storage space. The lockers are somewhat limited in what they can store. This isn’t a deal breaker but it’s something to bear in mind.
#4 Catalina 387
The seats on the Catalina 387 are 9 feet long and able to seat about 14 friends (if you have that many!) This is a really big cockpit for a sailboat of this size and is definitely one of the best options on this list.
Catalinas are known for their spacious cockpits, so if you are’t sold on this size of sailboats then it is worth checking out a Catalina in your preferred length.
This sailboat has a decent amount of space inside as well, making it a good choice for a liveaboard sailboat. There are two cabins and the boat sleeps a total of seven (or more if you like to sleep outside like us!)
In the cockpit you’ll find two spacious lockers where you can store a huge amount of gear should you wish!
#5 Pearson 35
You’ll appreciate the Pearson 35’s huge 9’5″ cockpit if you spend the majority of your time outside when sailing. One of the biggest selling points of this boat is it’shuge cockpit, and it was well ahead of its time when made.
This boat is well designed for liveaboards and for a boat of this size it actually has a lot of room. Although it’s not a large boat you will find adequate living space inside, especially if you sail solo or as a couple.
There are no aft cabins, so you gain some generously sized lockers for storage. The deck plan is well thought out with wide walkways, and the boat sails well.
If you’re looking for a smaller liveaboard sailboat with a large cockpit then this is a great option.
#6 Tartan 10
This 33ft sailboat designed by Sparkman and Stephens isn’t the best choice of boat for a liveaboard, but is a great boat for heading out on the water with friends.
It was built for racing, and therefore has very little going for it below decks, but above decks it’s a fantastic little boat. It sails well and has ample room in the cockpit for a boat of this size, meaning you can fit a big crew onboard and still have room to move around.
If you’re after a spacious day sailor then this sailboat might be the perfect choice.
#7 Opt For A Catamaran
If you are keen for more space in general and you have the budget, then why not consider a catamaran. Most catamarans have larger cockpits than monohulls of the same size, because they stretch the entire width of the boat.
Wondering how much sailboats cost?
There are definite compromises and things to consider before you make a purchase. You might not have as good visibility from the helm in the cockpit of a catamaran, for example.
That being said, there are also a number of advantages to a catamaran such as more stability when underway and in rolly anchorages.
If you’re after a really big cockpit then a catamaran (even a small catamaran) that’s big enough to seat a number of people, is one of the best choices for you.
The Advantages Of Large Cockpit Sailboats
There are so many advantages to owning a sailboat with a big cockpit, but here are the things we have found the most useful when living aboard.
- Space to properly relax outside at anchor or on calm sailing days.
- Entertaining space. We can seat groups of people for drinks and dinner without feeling cramped or like we’re stepping over each other.
- Room to sail! When we have guests onboard we don’t trip over each other when getting to lines etc.
- Space to sleep outside. We do this regularly during the summer months when it’s too hot indoors. We also sleep outside on passages so that the person on watch is never really alone.
- Huge locker storage. We can fit two full-size bikes in one locker with room to spare!
- On longer passages, like crossing the Atlantic, having the extra space to chill out in is especially nice.
The Disadvantages Of Having A Big Cockpit
One of the biggest drawbacks (in fact, probably the only drawback) to having a big cockpit is stability underway.
We were really worried that Hot Chocolate wouldn’t feel safe while we were out in big seas, as we wouldn’t be as enclosed.
Although this could potentially be an issue on some sailboats, as long as the designer has thought this through it shouldn’t be a problem. Hot Chocolate had plenty of places you could brace yourself against or lean your feet when heeling, and lots of clip in points.
As we talked about earlier, the sides are high giving it the feel of a centre cockpit even though it’s at the stern.
Overall, most people agree that a spacious cockpit is an invaluable feature for any sailboat and if you find you’re lacking a feeling of security then it’s easy to add features to make it feel more enclosed.
Conclusion: The Best Large Cockpit Sailboats
Whether you’re looking forward to long weekends on the water with family and friends or planning to spend your life cruising the world’s oceans, having ample space and comfortable amenities is key, and these sailboats with huge cockpits will give all of that and more!
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