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Traditional vs Reversed Layout


longstreath

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Hi there,

 

Just a quick and probably silly question from an absolute beginner, but what are the pros and cons of a traditional versus a reversed layout?

 

To my way of thinking, the reversed layout makes sense, purely as coming onto the boat with shopping, or with muddy or wet shoes etc, would not require traipsing through the boat messing it up, or before unloading the shopping.

 

Would be interested to hear what people who have lived on both styles think and why.

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6 hours ago, longstreath said:

To my way of thinking, the reversed layout makes sense, purely as coming onto the boat with shopping, or with muddy or wet shoes etc, would not require traipsing through the boat messing it up, or before unloading the shopping.

 

Surely that depends on which end of the boat you use as the main entrance...

 

Most people with narrow boats expect to come in through the bow doors. (Unless they have a reverse layout :giggles:)

 

I'd guess reverse layout is only seen in about 5% of narrow boats, and I'd also guess most of those were commissioned by people buying their first boat.

 

Reverse is quite common in widebeams. Normal, even.

 

What are you considering buying? Nice narrowboat or ghastly widebeam? 

 

 

 

 

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They were popular for a while, less so lately I think.

 

Upside is close proximity between steerer and living space. Especially with a cruiser stern, creates one big socialising area.

 

Downside is noisy living area (close to the engine) and no forward view from living area when cruising.

 

I don’t think a reverse layout with a trad stern would work well.

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6 hours ago, longstreath said:

Hi there,

 

Just a quick and probably silly question from an absolute beginner, but what are the pros and cons of a traditional versus a reversed layout?

 

To my way of thinking, the reversed layout makes sense, purely as coming onto the boat with shopping, or with muddy or wet shoes etc, would not require traipsing through the boat messing it up, or before unloading the shopping.

 

 

My boat is reverse layout but my main entrance is through the bow doors mainly because opening and closing the sliding hatch from the inside is too much hassle. 

 

After living in Asia for many years I take my shoes off when entering the boat. Carrying shopping makes no difference, I just put it down before taking my shoes off. If you're walking through your boat with shoes or boots you're going to have a dirty floor whether that's with or without shopping. I guess it depends on whether the boat has a hard floor or carpet but mine has carpet tiles and rugs which are still clean after 15 years.

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My boat is standard layout (semi-trad) and I use the rear doors for entry, although I sometimes use the bow doors for guests. There is a small utility area at the bottom of the rear stairs for coats, shoes, washing machine etc. For me, the main reason I prefer the standard layout is for the forward view, and the cratch becomes an extension of the saloon.

Edited by rgreg
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I can't get my head around where you put the bedroom and shower room with a reverse layout. It never seems to work for me.

I know of one cruiser stern reverse where the galley is at the stern, then the bedroom, shower room and saloon at the bow. Heck of a walk with your dinner and totally impossible to take guest/s with any sort of privacy.

Don't like bedrooms in the bow either, the swim makes a double bed and front deck access difficult.

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We've had a reversed layout in our share boat, but when we bought one we went for standard layout because:

 

  • Quieter engine in the saloon area so people can stay inside when moving..
  • Bow doors act as 'patio' doors and give more light in the saloon area - gives greater impression of space.
  • The kitchen is away from the stern doors, so I can do maintenance without getting in the way of the Mrs...
  • We enter via the bow as its not so steep and have room to drop shopping (rear kitchens tend to be galley type and crowded places).
  • With the bed at the rear its darker and 'out of the way'..

 

Water Lily Layout.PNG

Edited by robtheplod
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My sister and brother in law had a new build trad layout in the '90s. Nice boat but the steerer was isolated from the others on board and they had a buzzer for the steerer to communicate. 

1 buzz for tea, two buzzes for coffee, three buzzes for lock coming up, etc.

When we bought our boat 6 years ago we went for a reverse layout, cruiser stern as it is much more sociable. Also when I go off on my own, I can nip inside and make a brew  or grab a coat quite easily. Just put it into neutral when there are no hazards or other boats coming and pop down the steps. 

Our engine (Barrus Shire 45) is very quiet, in fact people come past and ask us if we're electric and you hardly notice it when inside.

Yes there is no forward view from the cabin, but we do have a cratch that can be used when not full of stuff (aka shed).

 

If you are thinking about buying your first boat, then the advice I got from the man at Nottingham boats was very good. He said ,"I don't want to build you a new boat until you have owned a second hand boat for a couple of years, and found out what you really want in your boat"

We bought second hand and are keeping it, as it is just what we wanted.

 

Just my thoughts, hope this helps.

 

Richard.

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Perhaps it's as simple as not having the bedroom next to the main entrance.

 

Many semi trad owners seem to keep their cratch area permanently covered and use the back doors as the main entrance.  In my view, this has lead to the reverse layout becoming more popular.

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Like Rob above, I have had standard and reverse layouts with shareboats in the past.

 

My current boat has a standard layout.

 

In my opinion the main pro of a reverse layout is getting a cold beer or hot beverage more quickly when steering, because the galley is closer to the helm.

 

The biggest drawback is having the galley/saloon at the back which means bus windows at the rear of the boat  which looks plain wrong.

 

 

Edited by cuthound
Clarification
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We live aboard. We have cruiser stern. To 'go in and out' via easy access door.

 

From stern. Steps to galley. Dining area (converts to double berth. Fixed double berth bedroom. Bathroom. Saloon with double bed settee. Double doors to bow. It works for us.

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I have a reverse reverse layout - it combines all of the features of a reverse layout arranged in the order of an unreversed layout.  I'm expecting it to catch on, as a similar arrangement was very popular before the reverse layout came along. If it doesn't catch on, I'm going to call it a retro layout - that should make it quite fashionable. ;)

 

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3 hours ago, Mike the Boilerman said:

What are you considering buying? Nice narrowboat or ghastly widebeam? 

 

A nice narrowboat. I want to be able to go where I please.

 

I also expect to be single handed, so thought the stern entrance into a galley or saloon to be suitable. I also like the idea of a fixed cratch extending the bow, but thought of it as more of a morning place for a coffee with a view.

 

I think I am going to need to rent a few boats and see what feels best. Thanks for all the input though, its what I was hoping for.

Edited by longstreath
Added a bit
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3 hours ago, nicknorman said:

 

Downside is noisy living area (close to the engine) and no forward view from living area when cruising.

 

 

We've got a normal layout and the huge benefit to us is we have the living area at the front, so when linked to the cratch which has a nice cover, we have a much bigger area to 'live' in. We originally thought we wanted a reverse layout when looking for our first sewer tube but soon realised it is so much better to have a view out of the front when parked or when cruising.

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2 hours ago, Lady C said:

Perhaps it's as simple as not having the bedroom next to the main entrance.

 

But I want my bedroom next to the main entrance. It ensures it gets a good airing.

 

DSC00479.JPG

 

I once had a narrowboat with a bedroom stuck at the rear end of the boat with only an access hatch through to the engine room and it got a bit musty and difficult to air the mattress and bedding.

Edited by blackrose
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15 minutes ago, blackrose said:

 

Ghastly widebeam. Reverse layout/galley at the stern. No bus windows.

DSC_5953.JPG

 

Nice, however yours is the exception that proves the rule, the vast majority of rear galley boats that I have seen have bus windows in the rear saloon/galley area.

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1 hour ago, bastion said:

I have a reverse layout with galley and dinette at the stern and saloon at the bow with bathroom and cabin in between. Works well for me. 

 

Yes, my last shareboat was like that, it is probably the most practical rear galley layout.

 

I have friends who have a rear galley with the bedroom at the front, which means not being able to sit in the saloon with the doors open looking down the canal.

 

 

 

2 minutes ago, blackrose said:

 

Yes, it's whatever you like. Trade stern or cruiser; cassette or pump out; narrowboat or widebeam; etc, etc.

 

I though you only got those on genuine working boats ?

Edited by cuthound
To insert spaces between merged posts
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1 hour ago, longstreath said:

 

A nice narrowboat. I want to be able to go where I please.

 

I also expect to be single handed, so thought the stern entrance into a galley or saloon to be suitable. I also like the idea of a fixed cratch extending the bow, but thought of it as more of a morning place for a coffee with a view.

 

I think I am going to need to rent a few boats and see what feels best. Thanks for all the input though, its what I was hoping for.

It’s also worth visiting a boat brokers who have a lot of stock to wander about looking at. Although Whilton Marina are generally near the bottom in the quality stakes, they have a lot of boats and will give you a bunch of keys to go browse on your own. It might help to give you an idea of the sort of layout you would like.

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4 hours ago, blackrose said:

 

My boat is reverse layout but my main entrance is through the bow doors mainly because opening and closing the sliding hatch from the inside is too much hassle. 

 

After living in Asia for many years I take my shoes off when entering the boat. Carrying shopping makes no difference, I just put it down before taking my shoes off. If you're walking through your boat with shoes or boots you're going to have a dirty floor whether that's with or without shopping. I guess it depends on whether the boat has a hard floor or carpet but mine has carpet tiles and rugs which are still clean after 15 years.

But Mike, do you or do you not have smelly feet ?  Do you swap the outdoor shoes for carpet slippers at the door? There's nothing worse than folk with stinking feet walking about in their stocking feet on carpets and spreading the pong throughout the ship. One gets used to ones own stinks and it can be oblivious to them,  but strangers and visitors certainly can.  I was a mobile car mechanic for many years and when I was usually, after mending the car invited in the house for tea and things, and in some houses, Yukkkk!!!! the stink of feet was terrible and nauseous although it was obvious that the home owner was very house proud and everything was spotless. Much worse in the winter when the  stink was locked in with windows closed and heating on As soon as the front door was opened the pungeant pong burst out and would knock me back and I would  politely refuse the tea,  get my money and buzz off. 

Edited by bizzard
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