Another access hatch through seating

[monkeyfist]

Well, I am finally starting the complete refit on "The Boat". Catalina 22, 1973 or 74, swing keel.
I would like to cut additional hatches through the seating area (see photo). Properly installing the added drain troughs and bracing is a given.
I also intend to add a bulkhead on the port side aft to isolate the gas tank area.
The question is, What structural problems am I going to have to deal with? Has anyone else done this before? All advice will be appreciated.

 

[watercolors II]

PVC pipe

I would think that any structural compromises would be additional bracing along the length of the cockpit settee. We use 1/2 PVC water pipe glassed over for adding back side bracing.

 

[txtowman]

I am interested in the same mod, and hope to find a dead c22 to cut the hatch base out of.
Please let Me know what you figure out and I will do the same.

 

[monkeyfist]

Re: PVC pipe

Watercolors, Did you cut a hatch thru the seating or were you just beefing up with the PVC piping?

 

[monkeyfist]

Txtowman, I plan on cutting the seat out with a die grinder and reusing the piece as the new seat. I will have to extend the back and ends to form the edge turn downs. I will also need to build a gutter system that will epoxy to the underneath side of the opening so that any water goes into the cockpit instead of the bilge.

 

[jfrench]

What is the goal of adding a hatch? Additional fresh air below?

 

[monkeyfist]

I hope to have better access to this area below decks. The port side has an access area behind the seating of the table area. To me, this is inadequate. It will also give some storage area for an ice chest and possibly sails, boat hooks, or fishing gear. On the starboard side the only access is limited to the aft section. again, inadequate. Keep in mind that we are not racers. Weekend camping and fishing will be more inline with our plans.

 

[CaptDon01]

On our original 1980 C-22, I did a similar modification to the rear starboard locker. The galley slides back and ends at the forward portion of the locker. I took my Dremel Tool with a cut-off wheel and cut our the rear portion of the galley slide shelf. This opened the space below the galley shelf for more storage. I made some carboard templets and then made some epoxy composite bulkheads to enclose the new storage area. I modified the liner and glassed everything smooth with WEST epoxy. Painted the surfaces with some Interlux barrier coat to give it a nice even grey color.

Don

 

[monkeyfist]

Don,
This sounds interesting. By adding the bulkheads you were able to "customize" the storage compartments to some extent. How did you deal with the seat cut out replacement? Did you revamp the cut out, or did you fabricate from scratch?

 

[watercolors II]

PVC pipe

Any time you add a corner to a thin fiberglass panel you’ll add tremendous strength.

40 years ago I toured a fiberglass plant where they were making Goodwill clothing drop-off boxes. They took the cardboard core from a roll of carpet, cut it in half lengthwise and laid it on the back of the 6 x 6 foot panel sides and added one layer of glass to take the flex out.

PVC pipe is very light, inexpensive and easy to find. We use it when replacing the wood core in the the cabin roof. Turn the boat upside down, cut around the outside edge of the inside ceiling, remove. Remove the wood and glass in the pipe which will bend to fit the roof. Add some epoxy and replace ceiling, add a few screws to help hold in place and add trim where ceiling was cut.