Bulkhead removal

G

Gene&Mary

New member
I recently removed the port bulkhead between the v-birth and the cabin in my 22. I really like the openness that it creates.

The main reason why I did it was to create a larger and more accessible sleeping arrangement.

I was wondering how some of the other cbrats who have done this have used this modification or those that have thought about this would use this modification.

Thanks
 
That is a great mod. Opens up the V-Berth for better access, better natural available light, better air flow. Several have done this...some posted pictures but not sure which ones. I know my brother did it on GYPSY but not sure if they had a photo album or not. They lived aboard for about 6-7 months and loved the change.
 
Personally I like to prop up my pillow against the bulkhead when I read at night so I can't imagine not having it there. I would also think at night your tpillow would always be slipping off the mattress, that would also be annoying.
This is one of those modifications that works for some but not for others, or different strokes for different folks.
 
This is interesting. On our previous boats I have assumed the bulkhead served to support the deck. I guess C-Dories are made a little differently than some of the other cuddy type boats that we have owned. I would have loved to eliminate the port side bulkhead on our last boat. I'm sure the deck would have failed had I done such a thing.

Edit; I just googled the photo and I see someone else posted a similar concern. Waiting,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, :D
 
In my c-dory (1982, 22) there is no port bulkhead and I don't think that there ever was one. In fact, to sit at the port side table, the person at the forward position (back facing the bow) is sitting on the end of v-berth bed.
 
I did it on Beagle to make the v-birth area less claustrophobic for a tall person. I also made the port seat movable, and it was nice to occasionally put feet up on the v-birth cushion.
 
I finally cut out a portion of the bulkhead on Journey On, both for entrance/exit and breathability. Worked great.

However, intended or not, that bulkhead is a structural member and does give some rigidity to the hull. I wouldn't remove too much on either the 22 or 25.

Boris
 
OK, time for someone to get creative and cut the bulkhead out, but leave it in one piece so that it can be replaced when wanted/needed. (?)

Could be done with sliding bolts (like used on a door), or with hinges (probably in multiple parts), or.................?

Has anyone ever added a curtain back in place to help close it off at night or when desired?

How about a Dutch Door approach with a half door that folds down or swings up out of the way?

How about an accordion door? Single or twins? (Harvey stay out of this!) :lol:

Endless possibilities, but don't forget the KISS Principle!

Joe. :teeth :thup
 
I like the bulkhead in place on my 22. Separates the "living room" from the "bedroom". When not used for sleeping, stuff can be put up there out of sight to help keep things looking more tidy.

Just my preference.
 
My original idea was to extend the port side sleeping birth and make access easier. If a structure were to be placed in the footwell area at a suitable height to place one of the cushions on, it would extend the sleeping birth.

Two thoughts-
1. Cut the sliding seat to form two "boxes", the top one to be removed at night. They would be held together by latches during the day.
2. Build a separate "box" to set into the footwell at night. In the daytime this box would need to be stored somewhere.

Seems to me that the first idea would give me a longer sleeping birth.
 
journey on":f8cjwj9c said:
I finally cut out a portion of the bulkhead on Journey On, both for entrance/exit and breathability. Worked great.

However, intended or not, that bulkhead is a structural member and does give some rigidity to the hull. I wouldn't remove too much on either the 22 or 25.

Boris
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I am going to have to disagree with Boris at least on the 22's and 25 I have owned. I have not cut out the bulkheads for several personal reasons. But on the boats I have owned the port forward bulkhead was not tabbed into the hull sides. The lower part of this bulkhead is attached with screws or lag type of bolts to the structural V berth moldment. I have seen these bolts come loose, or even the bulkhead crack around the screws which indicates that this moves. It is only pop riveted (with some questionable adhesive to the deck/cabin moldmemt. There are a number of boats where the bulkhead was completely removed on the port side with no ill consequence.

If the bulkhead was structural, it would have been tabbed into the hull and bottom as the structural elements are. The V bunk moldment is tabbed and glassed into the hull and bottom--and is structural.

I had one boat which had been abused, and there was cracking around the tabbing of the V bunk sides to the hull, with some delimitation of the tabbing. We ground out the old tabbing properly tabbed that back into place and problem solved. (The tabbing was only one layer of glass cloth. Properly was with a layer of 1.5 oz mat, 6oz cloth, and another layer of mat. These were sequentially wider to spread the load.

Would tabbing this floating bulkhead into the sides of the boat make it stiffer? Perhaps slightly. Remember that the starboard bulkhead is also floating,
 
fOOg":1ex0j3hs said:
How about a porthole, could be used open or closed. Don
Click to expand...
Ventillation is not an issue which the bulkhead is removed for. It makes getting in and out of the bunk easier. One of the reasons I don't do it, is because then there is no good back rest for the aft facing seat. It works better in the forward facing seat. There is a difference between the "floor and the height of the bunk. On the tom Cat, the floor, is at the bunk level. You can put a cushion on the floor, and extend the bunk for and aft to over 6'4". Thus a person can sleep for and aft.
 
We had thought about opening up be bulkhead but decided to keep it for the same reason stated by others on this thread.

If I had opened up the bulkhead I was going to cutout a panel that could easily be reinstalled. Maybe a slider, remove at night, slide the panel back in during the day so you would have a back rest and privacy. I wonder if anyone has done this yet?
 
Leaving the bulkhead in place aids the privacy curtain when using the porta-potti. Not that that worries my wife and I after 31 years of marriage. Also if I struggle getting in and out of bed, it reminds me to shed a few pounds. The admiral is always in agreement with that.

Martin.
 
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