CD22 Storage

R

Rob & Karen

New member
We made two changes over the winter that we were just recently able to test on a five day river trip. Both turned out even better than expected.

The first was removing the foam and adding hatches to the space under the v-berth. This was a pretty big job that we didn't really see much benefit from until it came time to really load the boat up for our trip. The v-berth storage access is really good because you can get to the two main hatches without moving the porta pottie or the mattress. We stored clothes for two people, shoes, tools, spare parts and prop, extra anchor and rode, extra rope and extra life jackets with some room to spare.

The second change was adding a cooler rack made of Trex from Lowe's. For full disclosure, we copied this rack from another C-Brat. It works very well, is solid, required no holes or mounting hardware on the boat, and was fairly inexpensive for a boat accessory. This did a great job of freeing up cockpit space, which is always at a premium on a CD22 with three people and two coolers.

Two pics are below and there are more in our album.

Rob, Karen & Riley

V_Berth_Storage_Access_1.jpg

IMG_2199.jpg
 
Really, really nice upgrades.
Both home-runs.
I especially like the rack "required no holes or mounting hardware on the boat".
I hope the factory is paying attention.
 
I've got 2 Imtra hatches lying around for when I get the time to replace the lazarette hatches. Now I know *exactly* what to do with the old leaky ones!

What kind of tool did you use to cut the fiberglass inside? I was thinking a jigsaw would take big chunks of gelcoat off as it made the cut. Maybe a dremel with a tile cutting tool?
 
Pete...thanks.

Sean...we used a saber saw with a fine tooth blade. We also covered the glass to be cut with blue masking tape before starting. It is hard to tell if the masking tape helped, but it certainly didn't hurt.

Rob
 
The added storage looks like something I might want to do. Do you still have the hatch model numbers and what did you find when you cut the opening. I hate surprises and I thought there would be foam in that area.
 
Hi John & Jeannie,

The hatch is a Bomar / Pompanette G8812 in off-white. Defender's item number is 901303.

The area was pretty much full of foam and it was a big job to remove. After removing the foam, we then had to cut and file the points of any screws and bolts that penetrated from the bulkhead. Finally, we finished it with two coats of paint.

Rob, Karen & Riley
 
Nice job Rob. First one's I have seen with side access. I guess there are pros & cons to everything. With top access, you can cram more stuff in (but have to be able to get it out again!), however you do have to move the v-berth foam and anything else in the way to get at them. With side access two are easy to get at, but the one behind the porta-potti requires work to get at. Installing side and top access could be an option, assuming it does not compromise the strength of the construction fwd.

While we are up in the forpeak. Instead of glassing in the anchor locker and adding a hatch, I was thinking of using starboard, bolted at the bottom, glued and sealed top and sides. Instead of installing a hatch, I am thinking of using a flush round inspection plate (the screw type). Has anyone else tried this? I see them for sale 8" diameter, anyone know if they come in 10" or 12" sizes ?

Martin.
 
I've seen some messages in the past about the removal of foam. But I guess I'm a little concerned about removing something that must have had a purpose in the first place. Why is the foam there in the first place, and what effect does it have to remove it? I would love to have more storage if the space is available. Then again, I suspect more storage would just allow me to carry more stuff (weight) that probably isn't really necessary. Colby
 
My 22 cruiser, 2009 model came brand new with no foam and 3 hatches installed. So I guess the factory have OK'd no foam.

Martin.
 
Hi Rob, Those looks great I have got get on the Ball & Start doing some of those on ours. I purchased a new Seat but have not got it instaled yet. I will post Pic when I get it done.
Jim
 
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