Catalina 22 Dinette Conversion to Berth "Trick"

[Stu Jackson]

Years ago, when we had our 1981 Catalina 22, we read about and implemented the trick to use the dinette with the table down as a berth.

The "trick" with sailing a Catalina 22, or at least staying overnight on it is to avoid using the V berth for sleeping (keep it clear to use the portapotie).

Here's how it works: you put the table down, cut a piece of plywood to span between the inboard edge of the table and the starboard side when the galley is slid away aft, put fiddles on the bottom side, take the back cushions off the dinette and put them on plywood and you have a great big berth!

QUESTION: Do any of you have a photo of this trick? (We sold that boat in 1989!)

 

[shemandr]

We did essentially the same thing on two boats, our Mark 25 and our Ranger 29. It was great to have basically a queen size berth instead of squeezing into a settee. And we could store stuff we didn't need at night underneath. But, as I've posted before, moving stuff around on a small boat gets old.

 

[$tingy Sailor]

Stu,

I'll be doing the custom boards and fiddles project this spring. Until then, I have pictures of how we've been doing it until now with just the V berth boards and our cooler.

The cushion under the keel winch handle is a custom one that I made just to fit that spot. I also made the table top cushion a little longer to close that gap in the center.

This system works fairly well and other than the extra cushion, takes nothing extra. It does make a little hump for whoever sleeps on the starboard side (me) but it's not a showstopper. Then again, I'm accustomed to sleeping on glacial ice : ) I am looking forward to building the more permanent solution, though. There will be detailed instructions and construction drawings on my blog, of course.

 

[Stu Jackson]

$S,

Thanks so much, that's exactly what I was looking for.

Our cushion arrangement on our 1981 boat didn't require an extra, IIRC --- but it's been a looong time.

We actually slept with our heads to starboard feet to port athwartship.

Have no idea why, but that's what we started out with and kept doing.

Maybe 'cuz we were younger and it kept us close together.

Never thought about using the V berth fillers. Great idea.

Thanks again.

Stu

 

[Gene Neill]

The "trick" with sailing a Catalina 22, or at least staying overnight on it is to avoid using the V berth for sleeping (keep it clear to use the portapottie).

I agree 100%.

Our V-berth cushions are permanently stored off the boat, to make more room and give easier access to the the forward lockers, the covers of which are painted to match the surrounding gelcoat. It's not quite as "pretty" without the cushions, but IMMENSELY more practical, and while cruising, the V berth area is packed full of gear anyway.

New design C22's are blessed with a wider starboard quarter berth, generally negating the need for the aforementioned trick:

 

[Leeward Rail]

New design C22's are blessed with a wider starboard quarter berth, generally negating the need for the aforementioned trick:

Is the new design starboard settee that much wider ? The photos above do look like there is a significant difference. It it that much ?

I don't have the first hand C22 experience that you guys do, other than sleeping in the boat, on land, a few times.
We tried the various option each time,and so far on our new design, sleeping one person in the table area, and one on the starboard settee seems like less hassle.
Either person can climb out to the cockpit or go forward, without bothering the other.
One person can lay in bed, in while the other is making tea and breakfast.

Having wedged myself in a tight sea berth on much bigger boats, to stop rolling around, I don't see the starboard berth on our "new design" as a problem.
I've even been wondering about making a lee cloth for the starboard settee. I don't "plan" to be on the boat in rough conditions, but even in good conditions, they help stop you from rolling out of a bunk if it's skinny. I rolled out of single bed on land years ago, and it was a rude way to wake up. hehe.
Though, I figure we will simply use our mummy bags, which negates self induced rolling around anyhow.

 

[Gene Neill]

We tried the various option each time,and so far on our new design, sleeping one person in the table area, and one on the starboard settee seems like less hassle.

That's how we do it. I use the starboard berth, which I actually prefer because it's longer.

For comparison purposes, the starboard berth on the new design is 21" wide at the forward end. Two feet further back, about where your shoulders are, it's 24", and of course it gets wider still as it goes aft from there. I could wish for a little more width, but it's not bad. I slept on enough Army cots in my youth, it feels normal to me (I'm 5'10", 195).

And you turned your galley sideways, right? That moves your sleeping position aft a foot or so, so your berth is effectively about 1.5" wider than anyone else's.

 

[Leeward Rail]

And you turned your galley sideways, right? That moves your sleeping position aft a foot or so, so your berth is effectively about 1.5" wider than anyone else's

Yup. about 9 inches back. With me stretched, there is just enough room for 2 plastic storage bins, stacked on top of each other, shoved all the way aft on the cushions.

How wide is the original design ? The hulls are the same, but it has that shelf, so that might take some of the width away even at cushion level. Is the actual inner edge of the berth further to starboard also ?

I'm curious, since I may have an early model C22 to work on, later this summer. It's abandoned. I'm trying to find the owner, so that my cousin can take possession. It's needs a lot of help, so it's free rein on modifications. Ever since I saw the "filler board" idea, I've thought that having a panel that slides out from under the starboard settee would be a nice fancy way to do it.

There are some great ideas that people have come up with over the years for galley changes, sleeping, storage, etc.

It's funny really. I could care less about home reno ideas in general, but boat ideas....

 

[shaubby]

Thoughts on modifying one of the Ikea bed slats? Wondering if I could cut to fit, then reattach the connecting strip to allow for the accordion fold for better storage.

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/60160217/#/60160217