Cabins, Bathrooms and Space on Board

A cruising monohull has one hull, with the living space in the middle and cabins at each end:

• Forward cabin: in the bow, with a berth that tapers towards the front. Often the most private cabin, but you feel the motion more here when sailing into waves.
• Aft cabins: under the cockpit, usually with a wide double berth and lower headroom at one end.
• Saloon: the central space with the table, seating and galley (kitchen).

Some larger monohulls also have a small cabin with two single bunks. A monohull heels (leans) under sail, so things slide, doors swing and you learn to hold on as you move about.

A catamaran has two hulls joined by a wide deck. Cabins sit in the hulls, typically one at each corner, and many have their own heads. The saloon and galley are on the bridge deck at cockpit level, so there is more light, more outdoor space and a flat, stable platform. Some catamarans also have small single cabins in the bows.

If space and privacy matter most to you, a catamaran is usually the more comfortable choice. Our guide to catamarans and monohulls compares them in full.

Expect to stand up near the cabin door and crouch or sit elsewhere. Berths are firm, often shaped to fit the hull, and made up with sheets and pillows. A hatch overhead and sometimes a small porthole give light and air.

On hot summer nights, ventilation matters more than anything. Leave the hatch open in harbour (and close it if rain is forecast) and bring a small battery fan if you sleep warm. Some yachts have air conditioning, but it usually runs only on shore power or a generator. Nights at anchor are quiet apart from water lapping on the hull and the odd rattle of rigging.

The heads combines toilet, basin and a handheld shower in one wet room. After a shower, the water drains into a sump that is pumped out, and you wipe the floor dry for the next person.

Marine toilets flush with a hand pump or an electric button, and their pipes are narrow. Your skipper will show you how yours works. Nothing goes in except what you have eaten and, if the skipper allows it, a little toilet paper. That means no:

• wet wipes, including ones labelled flushable
• sanitary towels or tampons
• cotton buds, hair or dental floss
• paper towels, food or cigarette ends

A blocked toilet is a messy repair and can leave a whole cabin without a working heads. Croatian rules restrict where toilet waste can be discharged, so yachts carry holding tanks and the skipper manages them. In a marina, use the shore toilets where you can.

Cabins have a hanging locker, a few shelves and sometimes drawers. The space under berths often holds water tanks or equipment, so it is not always free.

Hard suitcases are the biggest problem on a yacht: they do not fit in lockers and cannot be stowed once empty. Bring a soft holdall or duffel that folds flat, and pack less than you think you need. Our packing list for a sailing trip shows what earns its place.

Cabin doors are thin and sound carries through a yacht. Most cabins are shared by couples or friends, and guests share the saloon, cockpit and often a heads. A little give and take goes a long way: keep your things in your cabin, take turns in the heads in the morning, and use marina showers when you can.

The steps down from the cockpit (the companionway) are steep, and there are raised edges, handholds and hatches to step around. Face the steps when climbing down, keep one hand on a rail, and watch your head on low beams. Anyone with limited mobility should read about accessibility on sailing yachts before booking.