Does This Transom Make My Ass Look Fat?

The biggest change in boat design in the last 40 years? We think it’s how much bigger the usable space has become, both on the inside and outside of monohulls.

When we were moored behind this Moorings 45.3 sloop, we were simply gobsmacked at how far her 14.7-ft beam was carried aft. Like to the transom! The result is that the cockpit was simply enormous. Ideal for sailors with catamaran cockpit size envy.

And there is more to it than that, as the bimini is also beam-to-beam.
For comparison with an older boat, check out the boat on the distant left in the photo. She’s an Amel Maramu 52. A fine boat, with a skinny butt — at least compared to some of today’s sailboats.