[PCW] New PDQ 41 just launched

[Robert Deering]

Georgs,

I haven't looked at any PDQ's yet (being in Alaska), but the photos look
interesting.  The 41 looks like a beautiful boat, but considering the layout
I have to say that I don't quite get who this is marketed to.

The master berth on the main deck is puzzling.  When I go out on my boat the
goal isn't to lounge in a big bedroom (I can do that at home)... it's to DO
things.  A berth is just a place to sleep in between doing fun stuff.  At
first I though the cabin layout was intended to accommodate
mobility-impaired people, a smart design strategy given our aging
population, but since the head and dressing area are still down in the hulls
that shoots down that theory.  I have to assume that this obsession with
huge master cabins (Lagoon 42 as well) is intended to appease some spouses
who have no interest in sleeping in some dark little hole... and if that's
the price that must be paid to get permission to acquire a boat, so be it.

One of the other prices to be paid for that on-deck master cabin is that the
aft deck is almost nonexistent.  Probably OK for people who just cruise, but
if the boat is to be a platform to play off of, like catch a fish or pull a
crab pot for instance, then this boat isn't really a contender.

It also forces the galley down.  Given a choice I'd rather have the galley
up so the cook(s) are up in the action (and the sleepers aren't).  From the
photos, the galley looks pretty tight for two cooks.

Up here where beautiful weather is the exception, most boats' fly bridges
either are abandoned or are enclosed and used as the main helm.  I'd
probably lean toward the latter though it would give this boat a very
top-heavy appearance.

I'm also curious about the interior helm position.  I notice that the 32's
have that aft location too.  I can see the advantage is that you're part of
the crowd with everyone around the settee, and the passengers have great
visibility forward, but how's the visibility for the pilot sitting so far
back?  I can't tell from the photos but it seems as if he's kind of removed
from what's coming forward.  How does that work for you folks with the 32's?

Another new boat on the near horizon with a more traditional layout is the
Maine Cat 38 - I'm looking forward to seeing how that shapes up.  

Bob Deering
Juneau, Alaska