Full V-Berth

  • July 29, 2013 8:58 AM
    Message # 1353727
    Deleted user
    Hi All-   I am considering some changes to my v-berth to make the boat a bit more comfortable for a couple.  My boat was originally set up with a second desk area across from the head, like Warm Rain, but I am moving the drawers and hanging locker into that spot.  At the same time, I am considering making the v-berth one large bed.  I am potentially going to drop the surface a bit lower, losing a bit in width but gaining in accessibility.  Has anyone done, or seen, a 32 like this?  Any pictures?  Thanks.

    John
  • July 31, 2013 7:10 AM
    Reply # 1355392 on 1353727
    A number of owners have done this, and I also did it on some of the custom W32's I built when I was operating my boatyard.  Let the bunktop overhang the cabinet face to get the necessary width for a comfortable double, and you will still have the walking space down on the cabin sole. 

    Contact me by email if you need any advice on this modification.
  • August 01, 2013 8:14 AM
    Reply # 1356195 on 1353727
    Deleted user

    John.....

    I did this modifaction some years ago on Tamzin as part of airconditioner installation project.  As I recall I lowered the berth about eight inches and generally used the measurements of a full size mattress as a guide.  The re-do was not difficult other than cramped working quaters and I did lose a substantial portion of the starboard cabinet.  The interesting part was reforming (if that's the correct word) the full size inner spring mattress to fit the curvature of the hull as well as the space constraints.  In the end it was well worth the effort....sleeps like a dream, just like you're at home only you get rocked to sleep.................

  • August 01, 2013 9:17 AM
    Reply # 1356257 on 1353727
    Deleted user
    Thanks Larry-  Do you have, or would you be willing to take, any pictures?  I am trying to get a sense of access, etc.  Thanks-

    John
  • August 01, 2013 10:38 AM
    Reply # 1356331 on 1353727
    I sent John a picture and description of the lowering of the forward berth.  If I knew how to upload a picture to this forum, I would do it.
  • August 02, 2013 4:25 AM
    Reply # 1356830 on 1353727
    Bud,

    Could you send me the same pic & description please?
  • August 02, 2013 9:33 AM
    Reply # 1357030 on 1353727
    Anonymous
    I would suggest sending it to Jay since he seems the only one able to post photos here.  

    But it would be nice if he didn't just shove it in the members only section. 

  • August 02, 2013 12:37 PM
    Reply # 1357127 on 1353727
    Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Tate:  I ususally post members emailed images in the forum topic they refur to -- and yes I do have links to many of the members images on our picasa site in the members only area.

    To post images see http://www.westsail.org/newwebsiteforum?mode=MessageList&eid=630915  and so far only Windows computers seem to copy the code from a web browse display and paste into the forum.  I'm hoping that after the next software release  this will get some programmers attention.

    Below is what I did in Pygmalion  the white board is held in place and serves to extend the v-berth... and is removed most of the time.  Pam and I do find it hard to get in or out particularly in the middle of the night when one of us is asleep  but otherwise works fine w/o modifying the area much. 

    Photo

    Last modified: August 02, 2013 12:45 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)
  • August 03, 2013 6:13 PM
    Reply # 1357880 on 1353727
    Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Bud Taplin - from his manual and photo collection.

    Photo
    Image of an extended W32 V Berth

    LOWERING THE FORWARD BERTH IN THE W32

    There is no structural problem in lowering the berth. 

     

    Some owners have lowered it just the height of the mattress.  That lets the mattress come up to the bottom of the wood slats that are on the hullsides, and saves having to make new slats.  You could lower it more than that, however you would have to let the bunktop overhang the front face of the cabinet below in order to obtain enough width to make it useable for two people.  You may want to let it overhang anyway if you just lower it the thickness of the mattress, and that way you should be able to use your current mattress.

     

    For the maximum width and comfort, the new plywood berth top starts out at the corner of the left opening in the bulkhead of the forward stateroom, and extends to the starboard hullside forward, with the line approximately parallel to the port hullside to make the berth about the same width all the way.  It will overhang the face of the cabinet below it, but that is OK.  It allows more foot room to get in and out of the berth.

     

    A searail is then attached to contain the mattress.

    Thanks to Bud Taplin for the use of the above image and information.

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