CD22 V-Berth Storage

[erik7e]

I cut in three hatchs, one forward and one under each bunk and removed the foam.The hatchs are water tight.
I store mostly light weight stuff in there, rope, paper products , clothing, ect.
I've found that any weight I add forward seems to improve the performance especially with full fuel and water tanks.
I don't notice any sound difference.
This was done about a thousand nautical miles ago.
22' Cruiser
---E-ticket---

[ryder]

[Hayesie Daze]

I just saw a 2008 22' Cruiser and the factory installed three compartments in the v-berth, a large hatch up forward and two hatches under each bunk. All watertight of course, and each one had a fiberglass bulkhead to fully compartmentalize each so the entire space doesn't flood in the event of a collision, is the standard on all of the 22 Cruisers or is it just one big space?

Byron

[mikeporterinmd]

I bought new lazarette hatches. I'm thinking about using the old ones in
the V berth area. Only store heavy, less often used items there...
Hmm... maybe my main tool bag. That's got some weight and I hopefully
don't need it too often during the season.

Mike

[Chester]

[cemiii]

I put hatches in my older 22 V-berth (pix). Pretty much what everybody has said. Nice to have the space for very infrequently used items (spare prop/tools,extra rode, etc.), but not really very convenient to get at, especially if you often have a bunch of fishing gear on the v-berth as I usually do.

I certainly did not lose any flotation by cutting in there as I could see daylight in several areas at the base of the helm wall (hardly a sealed cavity, though that may have changed in later years). There was no flotation in there at all in 87. With the access hatches you could easily add styrofoam, empty 2- quart bottles, 2-part foam, bubble wrap, a blow up bladder, or whatever, if you really felt the prospect of hanging on to a bobbing bow offerred a greater level of personal security.

But I think the main benefit would soley be long term storage.

Chris

[20dauntless]

Our 2008 came with 3 waterproof hatches already installed and no foam. The space is great, I have used it for extra food, extra clothes, etc. It is hard to get to though, since you have to move everything off of the berth.

[breausaw]

[cemiii]

Regarding a water tank, unless it was a bladder type water tank, it would probably take a pretty large cut out to put a sizeable tank in. This is likely not an easy (add a hatch) type fix, and is more likely to require a stronger structural repair as I assume the birth adds some rigidity to the bow sides. There is also not a lot of rectangular volume in there. That is, because of steep sides, the space would be far more conducive to a triangular type tank than a rectangular one. Just one opinion of at least a few other things to consider (having actually opened one up).

Chris

[Sea Wolf]

Chris-

Very good observations and conclusions!

I remember that RedFox did move his water tank under the V-berth and wrote the whole process up a few years back.

As I remember, he pretty much removed the whole top of the v-breth, then replaced it., but not sealing it off water tight.

He also included another gas tank. See below:

C-Dory RedFox Bow Modifications BE SURE TO LOOK AT ALL FOUR PARTS.

Then look the whole site over. He's the original C-Dory Crazy Compulsive Project Maniac. Veeeerrry Interesting!!!!


JOE.

[Byrdman]

My CD 18 Angler has a storage hole about the size of a foot locker up there, with a simple piece of high quality marine grade plywood over it. One big ol hole and it is great. When I reworked the V-berth cushions, I simply used the back edge of the big ol storage hole as a break point from side to side. This allows me to grab the cushion and toss it aft a bit, then grab the plywood and dig around. Next on my upgrade was going to be some henges on the forward/bow side of the board, and a pair of those spring props that once you open the box, they "spring" into place, and you simply poke them mid-way to release them to lower the lid.

I will look for some pics from my redo days on the boat.

Byrdman

[Not For Hire]

The crew of Sea3PO (volunteers of the year) having provided me with two new lazarette hatches I pondered what do with the old two. This project will wait until spring but I am putting in a new 13 x 30 hatch under the v-berth cushion. This storage area will have a plastic liner. This new storage area will hold two spare props, spare danforth stern anchor and a few other bulky but seldom accessed items that were formerly under the dinette seats. The two old lazarette hatches will be installed on the aisle side of each under-dinette storage area. Then I will try and stow gear so that more frequently accessed stuff is near the hatches and can be grabbed without removing the seats. Ultimate goal is to reduce some of the shifting of load fore and aft, side to side, from running to docked, from camping to sleeping, some of which always goes on in a 22. Other projects are to replace the running lgihts with leds. The only reason is to reduce VSR chatter when trolling and operating lights, sounders, radar, etc.

Regards to all,

Mark

[breausaw]