Galley or Corridor?

Chartering a variety of sailboats is a great way to find out what design features work for you. As a matter of fact, before purchasing, I would recommend chartering a boat that has similar features to make sure you will be happy with the deck and cabin layout, as well as how she will sail.
I have not been a big fan of the long galleys that run the length of the saloon on port or starboard. The biggest problem I saw is the distances you have to travel from one end to the other while working in it. This can be accentuated when trying to cook while underway.
After spending the last two weeks on a Beneteau 473, other problems with this galley layout came to light. The cook is working in the passage way leading to the forward cabins and head. This created countless traffic jams as crew tried to move fore and aft. We even started to climb over the settee to avoid the constricted space.
I love preparing food on a boat, but don't bug me while I am. My galley needs to be a dedicated space where every thing I need is one step away.