Best Pilot House Boats: Comfortable Cruising And Commanding Views

Pilothouse boats are popular for fishing and overnight cruising, offering protection from the elements and comfortable accommodation. They are medium-sized vessels, ranging from 16 to 112 feet in length, with an enclosed helm cabin to shield the captain from harsh weather conditions. The best pilothouse boats offer top-class performance, excellent visibility, and enhanced protection. They are also lightweight yet sturdy, with ample space for mounting accessories and excellent ventilation. Some well-known pilothouse boat manufacturers include Ranger Tugs, Steiger Craft, Parker, Cutwater, and Defiance. With a wide range of models and prices starting from $23,055, these boats are a great choice for marine adventures, providing both comfort and functionality.

Comfort and protection from the elements

Pilothouse boats are popular for the comfort and protection they offer from the elements. The pilothouse, or helm cabin, is enclosed on all sides and can be completely sealed off from the outside weather, offering protection from wind, rain, and sun. This makes them particularly well-suited for boating in cooler months or rainy climates, such as the Pacific Northwest, and for those who plan to boat in less-than-ideal weather conditions.

The enclosed helm cabin also reduces engine and wind noise, making it easier to have conversations while underway. The helm is also shielded from sun, rain, and salt spray, helping to extend the life of marine electronics and navigation instruments. Some pilothouse boats even have air conditioning, allowing the crew to remain cool and comfortable in hot weather.

The hardtop over the helm provides good mounting points for accessories like radar domes and antennas, and some boats include an upper steering station. The pilothouse cabin also offers a 360-degree view, with modern designs incorporating windows on all sides to maintain excellent visibility.

In terms of comfort, pilothouse boats offer a warm and dry space, with comfortable seating, and some models have helm cabins spacious enough for the crew to relax in. They are also well-suited for fishing, with plenty of places to mount rods and store equipment, and an open stern for convenient rod casting.

Mounting points for accessories

The pilothouse design also provides ample mounting surfaces on the roof, making it easier to install additional equipment. The enclosed helm station also protects sensitive electronics and navigation instruments from the sun, rain, and salt spray, ensuring their longevity.

Some pilothouse boats may also feature side doors, providing easy access to the side decks and the bow, further enhancing the convenience and functionality of the boat.

The Axopar 37 XC, for example, offers a range of customisation options, including the Brabus Line package, which likely includes additional mounting points for accessories. Similarly, the Dale 40, known for its exceptional performance and range, likely incorporates mounting points for accessories to enhance its navigation and communication capabilities.

Overall, the pilothouse design provides a versatile platform for customisation and accessory mounting, ensuring that your boat is equipped with the necessary tools and equipment to enhance your boating experience, whether it's for cruising, fishing, or other recreational activities.

Socialising and reduced engine noise

If you're looking for a pilothouse boat that will allow you to socialise without the engine noise, there are several options on the market.

The Nordhavn 59 Coastal Pilot is a pilothouse boat that features a semi-displacement hull designed for modest top speeds of 18-20 knots. It has a large galley, dinette, and lounging area, making it perfect for a coastal cruising couple. The lower helm station with a double helm seat eliminates the isolation of a raised wheelhouse, allowing the person on watch to participate in food preparation, entertainment, and conversation.

The MJM 35 offers elegant, high-tech comfort and protection from the wind, sun, and spray with its indoor/outdoor pilothouse. It has four social zones, including a spacious cockpit, a large head, a full galley, and a roomy V-berth, making it well-suited for a relaxing harbour cruise or a day on the water with guests.

The American Tug AT 485 is designed for the yachtsperson who wants to explore beyond the horizon without leaving the comforts of home behind. It has a range of 1500 nautical miles and features a spacious pilothouse with excellent sightlines, generous spaces, helm chair, and passenger seating with access doors to port and starboard. The salon has room for two lounge chairs and ottomans opposite a large L-shaped settee, making it perfect for relaxed, sociable living.

The Nordhavn 71 is a brand-new boat that will appeal to those in the upper end of the mid-size range who desire the aesthetic of a larger yacht but want to manage without a crew. It is available in two layouts: a three-stateroom layout with a skylounge or a layout that incorporates a fourth stateroom in place of the skylounge.

The Ranger Tugs R-27 is a feature-packed cruiser designed for comfort, ease of use, quality, and fun. It has a spacious cockpit or a double lounge seat on the bow, making it perfect for taking in gorgeous sunsets with guests. The full galley makes meal preparation a breeze, and the private, enclosed head adds comfort and privacy.

The Axopar 37 XC is a great-looking multi-purpose adventure platform with a range of flexible indoor and outdoor spaces, as well as the option of authentic four-berth accommodation. It offers gullwing doors for uprated access and ventilation in the forward cabin, and the options elsewhere are just as rewarding. You can upgrade to twin 350s for 48-knot performance or spec the aft deck with a stern bench, a wet bar module, a storage compartment, or an aft cabin.

Boat electronics and navigation

When it comes to boat electronics and navigation, a pilothouse boat has several benefits. Firstly, the enclosed helm provides protection from the elements, including sun, rain, and salt spray, ensuring that sensitive marine electronics and navigation instruments remain dry and functional. This can extend the lifespan of these instruments.

The hard top over the helm also provides convenient mounting points for accessories such as radar domes and antennas, and in some cases, it allows for an upper steering station. This setup can enhance your navigation capabilities and overall boating experience.

Additionally, the enclosed helm of a pilothouse boat significantly reduces engine and wind noise, making it easier to socialise and have conversations while underway. This feature is particularly advantageous if you plan to entertain guests or simply prefer a quieter cruising experience.

Modern pilothouse designs often incorporate windows on all sides, providing excellent 360-degree visibility. However, some designs may have blind spots or restricted views due to supports or bulkheads, so it's important to consider the layout carefully.

Overall, the electronics and navigation capabilities of a pilothouse boat can enhance your boating experience, providing protection, improved mounting options, and reduced noise levels for better communication and enjoyment.

Ventilation and visibility

In terms of visibility, pilothouse boats generally offer good all-round visibility due to their enclosed wheelhouses. However, some models may have restricted visibility due to bulkheads or supports, so it is important to consider this when choosing a boat. Some pilothouse boats feature reverse-raked windshields, which are designed to maximise visibility while still providing protection from the elements.

Axopar 37 XC

The Axopar 37 XC is a multi-purpose adventure boat with a range of flexible indoor and outdoor spaces. It offers gullwing doors for improved access and ventilation in the forward cabin. It has a starting price of £278,000 (inc. VAT).

Dale 40

The Dale 40 is an award-winning pilothouse boat with excellent visibility thanks to its modified chines, bonded windows, and smaller mullions. It has a starting price of £987,777 (inc. VAT).

Nord Star 33+

The Nord Star 33+ features modified chines for a softer ride and improved visibility. It also offers the optional Cruiser package, which includes French doors that open up the cockpit and saloon, providing a bright and spacious area. It has a starting price of £365,000 (inc. VAT).

Sargo 45

The Sargo 45 is noted for its excellent visibility, with a helm that offers adjustability and all-round views. It also features double-glazed windows for added comfort and reduced noise. Pricing starts at €995,000 (inc. VAT).

Targa 32 Coupe

The Targa 32 Coupe is a versatile boat that can be configured with a flybridge and second helm or a flat roof and aft door. It offers good visibility and has a starting price of £399,840 (inc. VAT).

Frequently asked questions