Cutting leg opening in passenger side forward bulkhead

GBR Dory

Hi All,
We have a 2004 22' Cruiser and have the old story of people want to sit facing forward. Our forward dinette bench does not move and I've epoxied a nice chart into the table. So, I don't want to modify the table and I've just retired the 19 year old Toyotomi heater that was mounted inside the v-berth.

I've seen a random photo of an older C-Dory with the bulkhead trimmed out but has anyone with a similar aged boat done this? My family like the idea of sitting on the forward bench with legs stretched out into the v-berth.

I am in the process of installing a diesel heater under the galley and adding ducting to the v-berth, windshields, and cabin in general. The forward bench cushion will be easily modified to fit whether facing forward or aft.
Thanks in advance
G

Gene&Mary · Posted: Sat Feb 11, 2023 10:14 am Post subject:

Go for it. Best mod I ever made. Helps for sleeping and access too.

GBR Dory · Posted: Sat Feb 11, 2023 12:32 pm Post subject:

Thanks for having pictures in your album to see, it looks great and very open. I was just thinking of cutting a portion of the bulkhead (seat back) but leaving the dash.

ssobol

thataway · Posted: Sat Feb 11, 2023 5:28 pm Post subject:

The bulkhead is no structural and can be removed. I would keep the shelf above for several reasons.

You can modify the seat back to rest against this upper shelf on the port side when sitting facing aft, and the same back should be able to be used on the forward facing position. But stilling for hours with legs straight out, may not be the most comfortable position....

Go for what you want.

txmntman · Posted: Sun Feb 12, 2023 1:19 am Post subject:

I have a 2006 CD22, and I made some mods to my boat after attending the Hontoon gathering last year. These include cutting out the bulkhead on the passenger side, while leaving the top shelf. I would be happy to discuss this mod with you, and there are pics in my album “changes after Hontoon 2022 gathering” (or close to that).
I would also be happy to tell you what I learned in making that mod (ie, take all you can out of the boat, because the dust during cutting gets into to EVERYTHING).
Good luck, and let us know how it came out!

Gene&Mary · Posted: Sun Feb 12, 2023 11:30 am Post subject:

We removed the top shelf also. One of the many reasons to do this mod is to accommodate sleeping for taller folks. You do have to build a small "shelf" with a pad to extend the berth. Taking the top shelf out allows much better access and allows that sleeper to sit up.

You can reuse the black edge trim to trim the new cut edges.

GBR Dory · Posted: Tue Feb 21, 2023 9:26 pm Post subject:

I got brave and made the cuts to the bulkhead! I hope the link goes to the photo, but it's in our boat album regardless now.
I'm still sorting out a support for the back cushion to be in either forward or aft position. I'm thinking about 2 Aluminum or stainless pieces of flat bar stock that will extend below the cushion and be attached via some belt loop type things.

It is too cold here now to fiberglass the edges so I am looking at a larger version of the black edging around the v-berth entrance.

I like the result so far.

http://www.c-brats.com/modules.php?set_albumName=Alacrity&id=IMG_6135&op=modload&name=gallery&file=index&include=view_photo.php