I'm relatively new to sailing and just purchased my first boat. H22. It is my hope to make some changes that will open up the cabin a touch. First, I'm not really wild about the sink and (almost) nonexistant ice box at the hatch. Secondly, I would like to open the bulkhead between the cabin and V-berth. Is that possible. Any advice that you experienced sailors can give me will be totally appreciated. Thanks George Haynie
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I'm relatively new to sailing and just purchased my first boat. H22. It is my hope to make some changes that will open up the cabin a touch. First, I'm not really wild about the sink and (almost) nonexistant ice box at the hatch. Secondly, I would like to open the bulkhead between the cabin and V-berth. Is that possible. Any advice that you experienced sailors can give me will be totally appreciated. Thanks George Haynie
Here's the deal
The H22 is what you said it is: your first boat. Modifications can decrease its resale value. As your sailing skills develop, you will succumb to two-foot-itis. You'll move up to a 240, 260, or longer. At that time, find the boat that gives you a Goldilock's moment--it's just right. The Lake Lanier area will offer plenty of choices at the right price. If you must, the H22 owner's photo section of the HOW site could offer you some ideas. With regard to the bulkhead, keep in mind that it might be integral to the load bearing structure of the boat. Specifically, it could be supporting the compression of the mast along with the compression post if such exists. I would be cautious about "tweaking" a bulkhead.
The H22 is what you said it is: your first boat. Modifications can decrease its resale value. As your sailing skills develop, you will succumb to two-foot-itis. You'll move up to a 240, 260, or longer. At that time, find the boat that gives you a Goldilock's moment--it's just right. The Lake Lanier area will offer plenty of choices at the right price. If you must, the H22 owner's photo section of the HOW site could offer you some ideas. With regard to the bulkhead, keep in mind that it might be integral to the load bearing structure of the boat. Specifically, it could be supporting the compression of the mast along with the compression post if such exists. I would be cautious about "tweaking" a bulkhead.
Here's the deal
The H22 is what you said it is: your first boat. Modifications can decrease its resale value. As your sailing skills develop, you will succumb to two-foot-itis. You'll move up to a 240, 260, or longer. At that time, find the boat that gives you a Goldilock's moment--it's just right. The Lake Lanier area will offer plenty of choices at the right price. If you must, the H22 owner's photo section of the HOW site could offer you some ideas. With regard to the bulkhead, keep in mind that it might be integral to the load bearing structure of the boat. Specifically, it could be supporting the compression of the mast along with the compression post if such exists. I would be cautious about "tweaking" a bulkhead.
The H22 is what you said it is: your first boat. Modifications can decrease its resale value. As your sailing skills develop, you will succumb to two-foot-itis. You'll move up to a 240, 260, or longer. At that time, find the boat that gives you a Goldilock's moment--it's just right. The Lake Lanier area will offer plenty of choices at the right price. If you must, the H22 owner's photo section of the HOW site could offer you some ideas. With regard to the bulkhead, keep in mind that it might be integral to the load bearing structure of the boat. Specifically, it could be supporting the compression of the mast along with the compression post if such exists. I would be cautious about "tweaking" a bulkhead.
Bulkheads are important
You can't remove the bulkhead in the H22. Reason being that the chain plates bolt to the bulkhead. As far as making the boat seem roomier, I am not sure that there is much that you can do. My wife and I cruise mine (I have been out as long as 10 days) and there are a few things that you can do to keep things a little better. Try to keep everything organized and stowed in the storage bins. Another good suggestion is to mount eye bolts in the quarterberth that opens up to the back of the boat. Mount them on the high part and there are some areas there to fix them to that. Then you have a place to store long items (oars, fishing rods, etc). I have two trolling rods, two oars, a boat hook, and a regular fishing rod mounted up there (you can't even tell that they are there because they are out of the way). As far as an icebox, the built in cooler sucks! I have a five day cooler that I keep in the boat. It fits underneath of the table and it is the same length of the table. I leave that side of the table up and you can still access the cooler. Think of this....the H22 is bigger than some 24-25 foot boats with the layout. Hunter did a good job of putting it together. Once you get use to packing and storing things in the H22 then you won't mind the space. WHen you move up the new boat will seem huge! Good luck and safe sailing!!
You can't remove the bulkhead in the H22. Reason being that the chain plates bolt to the bulkhead. As far as making the boat seem roomier, I am not sure that there is much that you can do. My wife and I cruise mine (I have been out as long as 10 days) and there are a few things that you can do to keep things a little better. Try to keep everything organized and stowed in the storage bins. Another good suggestion is to mount eye bolts in the quarterberth that opens up to the back of the boat. Mount them on the high part and there are some areas there to fix them to that. Then you have a place to store long items (oars, fishing rods, etc). I have two trolling rods, two oars, a boat hook, and a regular fishing rod mounted up there (you can't even tell that they are there because they are out of the way). As far as an icebox, the built in cooler sucks! I have a five day cooler that I keep in the boat. It fits underneath of the table and it is the same length of the table. I leave that side of the table up and you can still access the cooler. Think of this....the H22 is bigger than some 24-25 foot boats with the layout. Hunter did a good job of putting it together. Once you get use to packing and storing things in the H22 then you won't mind the space. WHen you move up the new boat will seem huge! Good luck and safe sailing!!
Bulkheads are important
You can't remove the bulkhead in the H22. Reason being that the chain plates bolt to the bulkhead. As far as making the boat seem roomier, I am not sure that there is much that you can do. My wife and I cruise mine (I have been out as long as 10 days) and there are a few things that you can do to keep things a little better. Try to keep everything organized and stowed in the storage bins. Another good suggestion is to mount eye bolts in the quarterberth that opens up to the back of the boat. Mount them on the high part and there are some areas there to fix them to that. Then you have a place to store long items (oars, fishing rods, etc). I have two trolling rods, two oars, a boat hook, and a regular fishing rod mounted up there (you can't even tell that they are there because they are out of the way). As far as an icebox, the built in cooler sucks! I have a five day cooler that I keep in the boat. It fits underneath of the table and it is the same length of the table. I leave that side of the table up and you can still access the cooler. Think of this....the H22 is bigger than some 24-25 foot boats with the layout. Hunter did a good job of putting it together. Once you get use to packing and storing things in the H22 then you won't mind the space. WHen you move up the new boat will seem huge! Good luck and safe sailing!!
You can't remove the bulkhead in the H22. Reason being that the chain plates bolt to the bulkhead. As far as making the boat seem roomier, I am not sure that there is much that you can do. My wife and I cruise mine (I have been out as long as 10 days) and there are a few things that you can do to keep things a little better. Try to keep everything organized and stowed in the storage bins. Another good suggestion is to mount eye bolts in the quarterberth that opens up to the back of the boat. Mount them on the high part and there are some areas there to fix them to that. Then you have a place to store long items (oars, fishing rods, etc). I have two trolling rods, two oars, a boat hook, and a regular fishing rod mounted up there (you can't even tell that they are there because they are out of the way). As far as an icebox, the built in cooler sucks! I have a five day cooler that I keep in the boat. It fits underneath of the table and it is the same length of the table. I leave that side of the table up and you can still access the cooler. Think of this....the H22 is bigger than some 24-25 foot boats with the layout. Hunter did a good job of putting it together. Once you get use to packing and storing things in the H22 then you won't mind the space. WHen you move up the new boat will seem huge! Good luck and safe sailing!!
Thanks
Thanks for the advice! I'm looking forward to my project and can use all the advice I can get!
Thanks for the advice! I'm looking forward to my project and can use all the advice I can get!
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