Shannon Pilot 43 exterior features

The deck configuration of the Pilot 43 is an evolution from both the successful Shannon Pilot 38 designed in 1978 and the popular standard aft cockpit Shannon 43 designed in 1984. The most important concern for a sailboat with a raised wheelhouse is good visibility from the interior helm station as well as the pedestal wheel in the cockpit. On a Shannon the placement of the windows provides 360 degree inside helm visibility while the sightlines from the cockpit looking forward through the windows are excellent. With only a slight 6" reduction in the length of the cockpit, the Pilot 43's deck layout has all the advantages of the aft cockpit Shannon 43.

Sidedecks

The sidedecks on the Shannon Pilot 43 offer ample space from the trunk cabin outboard to the teak toe rail, double lifelines, and 30" tall stainless steel stanchions. Mast stays and genoa tracks are positioned outboard at the toerail. This is a significant safety difference between the 43 and the typical combination racer/cruiser. Going forward at night or in bad weather on a boat with shrouds and genoa tracks right in the middle of the sidedeck can be difficult or even hazardous. The one or two degrees improvement in windward performance that inboard shrouds and tracks may provide does not warrant this liability, except for the day sailer or diehard racer. Accepting the premise that safety should be foremost, the Shannon Pilot 43's sidedecks allow an unobstructed passage from the cockpit to the bow.

Bow Platform

The bow platform or bowsprit on the Shannon Pilot 43 serves many functions. It extends the sail plan horizontally allowing for a double headsail rig. The bow platform allows for carrying two oversized anchors (of different designs) each with a separate anchor rode and its own deck pipe into the divided chain locker in the bow. Unlike other boats, where it may be necessary to get another anchor out of a cockpit locker at 3 AM when the boat starts dragging during a line squall, the Pilot 43 has another anchor ready that can be set quickly and safely. The Shannon Pilot 43 can carry either nylon line or chain anchor rodes, depending on the owner's choice, and will also accommodate virtually any type windlass.

Ventilation, portlights, & deck hatches

Proper ventilation is very important both when underway or at anchor, especially in warmer climates such as the Caribbean. There is generally some wind in an anchorage, but a boat must be able to open up and take full advantage of the breeze. On the Pilot 43 there are two 4" vents with baffled dorade boxes, six opening portlights (every port on a Shannon is an opening port), opening side pilothouse windows and two overhead ventilation hatches in the pilothouse, and two large deck hatches. These watertight deck hatches are superior to the popular metal frame hatches which will often leak at the flange where the hatch frame is attached to the deck. Shannon deck hatches are an integral part of the boat and have base flanges molded into the deck with the hatches made of interlocking teak frames and a heavy plexiglass top. Also the Shannon hatches can be repaired or rebuilt using basic tools, while damaged metal hatches generally need to be replaced, which can be a real problem in remote cruising areas.

The bow platform is secured by bolts through the deck and a solid rod bobstay. The stainless steel bobstay fitting is bolted to the hull just above the waterline. It is so strong that a mooring pennant can be shackled through a special fitting so the entire boat can swing off the bobstay fitting, without any concern about chafing. This is particularly important if moored in storm conditions. Beyond rig and ground tackle considerations, the bow platform provides an ideal vantage point for spotting coral heads or bottom changes when exploring unfamiliar waters.

Another example of Shannon's emphasis on offshore safety is the custom life raft storage well below the cockpit sole. Stored in the cockpit well, the life raft is secure from theft, protected from waves, and located close at hand where it can be reached safely and quickly. In the extreme conditions of having to abandon ship, the crew does not have to leave the security of the cockpit for the foredeck to get to the life raft, or go below to drag it on deck. Another safety feature of the cockpit design is that it permits the use of a full length emergency tiller installed directly onto the rudder post in front of the pedestal that can be used while comfortably seated. Often emergency tillers are too short and located in such awkward locations that they are very difficult to use for more than a few hours.

Cockpit Design

Along with seaworthiness, performance and safety another important concern in boat design is comfort. A substantial amount of drafting time was expended and three full size prototypes were developed to create the optimum cockpit layout for the Pilot 43. Over eighty percent of time awake on board a Pilot 43 is spent in the wheelhouse or the cockpit. Unfortunately many boat builders (and many boat buyers) only focus on interior space and layouts below. Consequently they have ignored the critical design and space issues of the cockpit. A small cockpit does not provide necessary room and comfort. The angle of the seat back and the width of the seat become critical considerations after a few hours sailing. The Pilot 43's cockpit has seats long enough to stretch out and lie down on, and the space between the seats is close enough that even short people can brace themselves when the boat is heeledCockpit seats that are too short for sleeping preclude a rest in the cockpit, whether for an afternoon nap when anchored or while underway at night between tricks at the helm. The Pilot 43's cockpit also was designed for easy movement getting from behind the wheel to go forward. The primary winches, instruments, and engine panel are positioned for access and visibility from the helm, so that when sailing it is not necessary to constantly move to see instruments or tend sails. The cockpit of the Pilot 43 is a secure and dry place - it is deep enough to keep you comfortably surrounded by high coamings that keep water out. Because it is critical that the cockpit drain quickly, especially when filled by breaking waves in storm conditions, there are a total of nine scuppers in the cockpit, four 1 1/2" and five3/4"