We had summer on Lake Erie yesterday, 78 degrees and I played hooky. Finally cut that door on the inside of the aft cabin, it opened up a whole new world! Easy access to stuffing box, dipstick, strut mount, and hot water heater. Does anyone know if later H37C's had this as a standard feature? If you don't have one do it now. Here's how: The inside panel isn't fastened at the top, just wedged under the cockpit bottom. The forward edge, 31 1/2 inches from the aft bulkhead, has a seam that is covered with a vertical strip of teak, remove that. I put a keyhole saw in that seam and sawed straight up through the horizontal teak trim. Then I removed the bungs from that trim and two more at the aft end. After removing that trim and looking at it from both sides it was apparent how they put that in there. It had screws at the bottom from inside the engine compartment and at the aft tail piece. I removed the tank cover, that gave me a nice fiberglass ridge to use to guide the saber saw. I cut about 1/4 inch above the fiberglass from the front seam to within 1 inch of the aft bulkhead. Then that little six-inch vertical section at the back. I pushed it into the hold so that I could get a blade along the bottom to cut the sound deadener. Nothing to it. Now I'll add a small strip of teak under the cockpit to butt the panel up to. I'll secure the original trim around the sides and top but will have to add new at the bottom. The sides and bottom will overlap the existing panel, should be plenty secure. Not sure how to keep it in place, maybe a few screws. A friend tells me it is also helpful to make the aft bulkhead removable. It gives access to manual bilge pump and fuel tank filler and vent hoses. You can get to the aft cockpit lockers from your cabin! No more worrying about changing the oil, adjusting the packing, or winterizing the water system. A good day! Ed (schencked@bfusa.com)
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Dave Simpson
Access
Hi Ed; In answer to your question, my '81 37c does have the access panel you describe. It WAS a later feature. Your delight at gaining access is reminiscent of mine when I cut a 2' x3' hole in the cockpit floor! When I took that piece of floor out, it was like a new universe before me! My purpose was to install a generator on the pad formerly occupied by the water heater. Ain't this Forum great? A place for us "old lady Cherubinis" to meet and share ideas!
Hi Ed; In answer to your question, my '81 37c does have the access panel you describe. It WAS a later feature. Your delight at gaining access is reminiscent of mine when I cut a 2' x3' hole in the cockpit floor! When I took that piece of floor out, it was like a new universe before me! My purpose was to install a generator on the pad formerly occupied by the water heater. Ain't this Forum great? A place for us "old lady Cherubinis" to meet and share ideas!
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Ed Schenck
Hole in cockpit?
Now you've started something Dave. How big is the cockpit hole and exactly where? Where did you put the hot water tank? And what KW size and dimensions of generator? Is it noisy, diesel or gas? Love this site.
Now you've started something Dave. How big is the cockpit hole and exactly where? Where did you put the hot water tank? And what KW size and dimensions of generator? Is it noisy, diesel or gas? Love this site.
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Rick Harvey
Access
The hatch was also a standard feature on my 37C. The support beam that also acts as a steering stop in the stern was replaced and I made stronger hatch boards. This made it possible to install my gas bottle locker and generator. Rick.
The hatch was also a standard feature on my 37C. The support beam that also acts as a steering stop in the stern was replaced and I made stronger hatch boards. This made it possible to install my gas bottle locker and generator. Rick.
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terry dornan
cockpit hatch _ did that on my 30
Did the same with a "bomar" 14 x 16_ world of difference. I can get to the transmission, wiring, fuel shut off, wheel cabling, and on and on. Before you start whacking holes in the deck to do this project, remember to fiberglass and seal the wooden core exposed when cutting the opening. Great ideas can be a soft deck in no-time with as much water as you can have setting on the floor of the cockpit. While being inexpensive _ I found the seal and latch system of the bomar access hatch to work well, and have not seen any leakage. Terry s/v stardust h30
Did the same with a "bomar" 14 x 16_ world of difference. I can get to the transmission, wiring, fuel shut off, wheel cabling, and on and on. Before you start whacking holes in the deck to do this project, remember to fiberglass and seal the wooden core exposed when cutting the opening. Great ideas can be a soft deck in no-time with as much water as you can have setting on the floor of the cockpit. While being inexpensive _ I found the seal and latch system of the bomar access hatch to work well, and have not seen any leakage. Terry s/v stardust h30
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Dave Simpson
Hole in Cockpit...you bet!!
Hi Ed The hole (hatch) is about 22" x 34", and is between the bridgedeck and the steering pedestal. It has rounded corners and the edges are tapered so it fits like a cork in a bottle. There is a rubber gasket all 'round, and a gutter underneath the seam in case anything seeps in (It doesn't leak!). It is held in place by SS bolts around the perimeter, and the tighter the bolts are screwed down, the tighter the seal, because of the taper. I removed the electric water heater and installed a "flash" propane one tucked into the stall shower. My wife loves it! All the hot water you want for as long as you want. On the pad I built a sound-attenuating box and installed a 2KW Yanmar Diesel generator (air-cooled). Mounted to the front end of the generator are an 80-amp alternator and the high-pressure pump for our 600gpd watermaker, driven off a magnetic clutch. For cooling, I took a hint from Maase (sp?) and put in a forced-air heat exchanger with raw water dumped into the exhaust, cooling and quieting it...... Whew!!!!!! Anyway, all this is just a bit premature as far as the sound-deadening quality is concerned, because the box and its shielding are just now being finished and installed, so I can't say how effective or liveable it is. My fingers are crossed.
Hi Ed The hole (hatch) is about 22" x 34", and is between the bridgedeck and the steering pedestal. It has rounded corners and the edges are tapered so it fits like a cork in a bottle. There is a rubber gasket all 'round, and a gutter underneath the seam in case anything seeps in (It doesn't leak!). It is held in place by SS bolts around the perimeter, and the tighter the bolts are screwed down, the tighter the seal, because of the taper. I removed the electric water heater and installed a "flash" propane one tucked into the stall shower. My wife loves it! All the hot water you want for as long as you want. On the pad I built a sound-attenuating box and installed a 2KW Yanmar Diesel generator (air-cooled). Mounted to the front end of the generator are an 80-amp alternator and the high-pressure pump for our 600gpd watermaker, driven off a magnetic clutch. For cooling, I took a hint from Maase (sp?) and put in a forced-air heat exchanger with raw water dumped into the exhaust, cooling and quieting it...... Whew!!!!!! Anyway, all this is just a bit premature as far as the sound-deadening quality is concerned, because the box and its shielding are just now being finished and installed, so I can't say how effective or liveable it is. My fingers are crossed.
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Ron
Photo photo
This is very interesting since I've already decided to dump the hot water heater in lew of more storage space. Can anyone send some pictures?? Captronbob@yahoo.com Would love to see some of these
This is very interesting since I've already decided to dump the hot water heater in lew of more storage space. Can anyone send some pictures?? Captronbob@yahoo.com Would love to see some of these
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Dave Simpson
Pix
As I said in my earlier post, this thing is just coming to a head, so I'll take some time and film to get some photos taken and try to post them in the Photo Phorum. Dave
As I said in my earlier post, this thing is just coming to a head, so I'll take some time and film to get some photos taken and try to post them in the Photo Phorum. Dave
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Fairtrade
Engine Access
I have an '82 37C with engine access. I am not the original owner and cannot attest to the fact that this was not a later modification. There are access panels that are easily removed on both sides of the engine compartment. I can get to the engine and hot water heater from the starboard locker or from the aft berth. Still not easy, but a lot better that not having access doors.
I have an '82 37C with engine access. I am not the original owner and cannot attest to the fact that this was not a later modification. There are access panels that are easily removed on both sides of the engine compartment. I can get to the engine and hot water heater from the starboard locker or from the aft berth. Still not easy, but a lot better that not having access doors.
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