H23 V-berth shelves

[RobertG-NJ]

Does anyone know if the glassed plywood shelved in the V-berth of an H23 have any structural function. I find them an anoyance and also want to re-use the teak wood strip and some of the ply for a patch around the chain plate. Would there be problems if they are removed? Any comments?

Thanks
RobertG

 

[Brian M H23]

YES. They are important. the hull is very thin and that shelf is the only stiffening rib in the area. You could take the teak trim off, that won't cause any problems, and you could probably even make the shelf an inch narrower without too much of a problem, but you definitly need it.

 

[RobertG-NJ]

Thanks Brian

BTW, I am from the Philly area too, near Burlington. Do you sail in the Delaware?