removehtml]Being somewhat tall and large, I find the v-berth a little to short and end up having to sleep on my side with legs bent. This is OK if I am by myself, but when my wife and I go for a week or two cruise, I crowd her out. Has anyone looked at extending the berth by cutting into the hanging lockers? Does anyone know if the bulkheads there are load-bearing? I was thinking of partially cutting the ones next to the v-berth to extend the berth a couple of inches. This may be crazy, but we happen to like sleeping together. Any ideas? Scott Error: Error: expected [/URL], but found [/removehtml] instead[/removehtml]
Extend the V-Berth in H-33?
- Thread starter Scott A.
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H-33 V-Berth
Scott, I to have the same cramped fit in the v-berth, 6'5" tall. I have considered pushing the forward-blocking more forward to gain some length, although this possibility leaves little room for feet. My other option is to remove a section of the port bulkhead therefore making a wider opening at the aft end of the v-berth. With the enterence to the v-berth wider a shelf would be added to support pillows. Akula
Scott, I to have the same cramped fit in the v-berth, 6'5" tall. I have considered pushing the forward-blocking more forward to gain some length, although this possibility leaves little room for feet. My other option is to remove a section of the port bulkhead therefore making a wider opening at the aft end of the v-berth. With the enterence to the v-berth wider a shelf would be added to support pillows. Akula
Just A little bit insane
To me your idea is over the top, especially considering that there is a foot and a half to two feet available at the foot of the V berth. My hanging lockers are crammed chock full of light, medium and heavy jackets and foul weather gear. There is no way I'd give them up for a little bit of leg room when there is a good alternative available. The silly trim board at the foot has an access port in it. Pop it open and take a look. The silly board is attached by a wee bit of flimsy tabbing that was probably done by a pre-apprentice. Unscrew the board, take a Sawz-all to the tabbing and you have plenty of space. You might even see if you can find some of that lovely fuzzy polyester carpeting to glue up in there. There is a vertical piece of the v-berth platform that comes up almost even with the cushion. You might have to trim that down a bit so it doesn't hit your legs. I'm not sure if it provides structure, but it might not be a bad idea to add a couple of layers of glass to retain the strength. My 6'3" friend and his fiancee have slept in there and he swears they were perfectly comfortable. But of course they haven't been married for decades either.
To me your idea is over the top, especially considering that there is a foot and a half to two feet available at the foot of the V berth. My hanging lockers are crammed chock full of light, medium and heavy jackets and foul weather gear. There is no way I'd give them up for a little bit of leg room when there is a good alternative available. The silly trim board at the foot has an access port in it. Pop it open and take a look. The silly board is attached by a wee bit of flimsy tabbing that was probably done by a pre-apprentice. Unscrew the board, take a Sawz-all to the tabbing and you have plenty of space. You might even see if you can find some of that lovely fuzzy polyester carpeting to glue up in there. There is a vertical piece of the v-berth platform that comes up almost even with the cushion. You might have to trim that down a bit so it doesn't hit your legs. I'm not sure if it provides structure, but it might not be a bad idea to add a couple of layers of glass to retain the strength. My 6'3" friend and his fiancee have slept in there and he swears they were perfectly comfortable. But of course they haven't been married for decades either.
I'm in the same "boat" myself
I too am a "larger person" (6'3" 280lbs). I have found that the aft berth or the converted settee is the best bet for me. Ernie
I too am a "larger person" (6'3" 280lbs). I have found that the aft berth or the converted settee is the best bet for me. Ernie
don't mess with the bulkhead
The bulkhead gives structural rigidity to the hull. When they haul out your boat, the lift straps go right under the bulk head. I also wouldn't scrifice storage space in the hanging locker. Taking the space in the bow sounds like the best plan to me.
The bulkhead gives structural rigidity to the hull. When they haul out your boat, the lift straps go right under the bulk head. I also wouldn't scrifice storage space in the hanging locker. Taking the space in the bow sounds like the best plan to me.
Ok, The Bulkhead Stays!
I guess we will live with the bulkhead. It makes sense now that it would provide support when lifting the boat. I have looked in the little forward hatch and found it quite useless. I will go back and take another look at it to see if it can be used for more space. Thanks to everyone for your advice. Scott
I guess we will live with the bulkhead. It makes sense now that it would provide support when lifting the boat. I have looked in the little forward hatch and found it quite useless. I will go back and take another look at it to see if it can be used for more space. Thanks to everyone for your advice. Scott
o.k., I have to write this
We are talking about a 25 plus year boat here. If you can't make it the way you want it now - when will be the time? The bulkhead as it is offers no cross the boat support. If you give up the locker space and place the current wall/door aft by about a foot, it is hard to believe this will harm the hull's integrity. However to shore it up, if you think you must, add full cross-boat support to the height of v-berth in place of the current wall/door. In doing this you will create a space to recover some of the locker which was lost.
We are talking about a 25 plus year boat here. If you can't make it the way you want it now - when will be the time? The bulkhead as it is offers no cross the boat support. If you give up the locker space and place the current wall/door aft by about a foot, it is hard to believe this will harm the hull's integrity. However to shore it up, if you think you must, add full cross-boat support to the height of v-berth in place of the current wall/door. In doing this you will create a space to recover some of the locker which was lost.
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