PROJECT-A-PALOOZA!! - V-Berth Access and Mods

Doug & Fran · Posted: Wed Jul 26, 2023 5:59 pm Post subject:

We have a 2007 25', which has been stored for the last 2 years or so on its trailer.
I just crawled into the v-berth and pulled out the cushions. We have a 5" (?) round inspection access towards the bow - I pulled it and there are several inches of water inside. (no foam).
We also have damage to the fibreglas in the ?? funny-little-space-at-cabin-end-of-vberth-where-put-our-shoes-etc.-when-sleeping ??.
I think it's because water was high enough in the space under the v-berth that when it froze during the last couple of winters, it expanded and pushed the 'floor' of the 'funny-little-space' upwards, causing some cracking.
I've sent a note to C-Dory regards installing the additional storage access hatches, and am planning on putting in the same round inspection access as shown in the first item of this thread. And having a fibreglas knowledgeable buddy come over and advise as to the damage.
If you live in similar refreshingly cool climes, considering adding that inspection access.

thataway · Posted: Wed Jul 26, 2023 7:12 pm Post subject:

Doug and Fran, do you have the fiberglass interior or wooden interior? My last C Dory was "Seaweed" as mentioned in the first post of this thread. I had the impression that there may have been foam in the area under the bunk at one time. However I am not certain.

I suspect it was the first or one of the first several boats with fiberglass "furniture". I think I documented that the boat finished prior to that boat had the wooden interior. However the boats were not always "finished" in the numerical order that they were tagged with. (Some dealers ordered several boats, so the numbers got out of order.). This was the end of the time when the C Dory factory was prolific, selling many boats a year.

Where did the water you found there come from? Brass strip, anchor locker not properly drained, or running forward and some how getting under the tabbing for the forward V berth platform.

In any case, that bow storage is great. We put a spare anchor, anchor rode forward. Two 100 amp hour liFePO4 batteries, and a Victron Multiplus 2000/80/50 inverter charger in the closer areas on each side.

I would be concerned with freeze thaw cycles that there could be some delimitation and water intrusion into the core, if there was water, unsealed core (such as screws to hold cabinets--thus the question about wood vs fiberglass interior). If you can check the tabbing and see if it is holding water back on each side of the fuel tank (access thru the steps on each side of the cockpit.). Also check the core where water pump, bilge pump and hydraulic pump and reservoir for the trim tabs are screwed into the bottom of the boat. There may also be cleats for holding the water tank in place.