Happy Wife

I was going to do the same on my 22 but never got around to it prior to selling it. However, I'm still interested in the modification. So, a couple of questions:
1) Is the port side seat now usable in the forward facing mode? It looks like it would but the depth of the overhang for the legs is a bit small. I've seen a boat at the Seattle boat show in which the legs hung over into the V-berth. On the aft side of the overhang, they had a piece of starboard on a hinge. That folded down onto the V-berth cushions as a foot rest and folded up when it was used as a berth. I can think of a few alternatives for the 22'.

If the V-berth cushion on the port side was split into two sections, you could move the aft section and get another few inches of overhang (feet resting on the fiberglass in the berth. In addition, if the cushion were split so you could move it, then you could put a large hatch ( in the aft port side portion of the V-berth to allow the legs to hang all the way down to the cabin sole. You would have to remove some foam etc. but then that seat would be comfy as a forward facing seat. You would also need to make a cutout in the port side of the vertical face of the depression for the porta potty. That would allow someone sitting at that seat to swing their legs into the space below. I think this would be the best way to make that side forward facing now that you've cut out the bulkhead. I only thought about cutting out the port side of the porty potty compartment and putting a hatch/door in the in the sleeping platform today. Had I thought of this a few years ago, I might have gotten around to cutting out the bulkhead when I owned a 22. :oops:

Also, if you wanted more sleeping space, you could do something similar to what Dave did on the Marinaut E.g. remake the cabinet below the seat to be shorter so the top of it is level with the V-berth. Then in a with a cushion it would extend the berth into the main cabin. You'd need an additional cushion or insert of some sort to get the seating height proper for the table .

2) How are you going to attach the cushion for the back of the seat when one is facing the table?
You might want to take a look at how this is done on the TomCat. In brief, the cushion slips over a fiberglass board that has two tabs on the bottom. The tabs fit into slots in a board that is mounted to both the fore and aft side of the seat box. This allows one to pull the boat out and reverse the cushion. You could make a similar arrangement out of wood.
 
So everyone can see what this thread is about, here it is.

DSC08640.jpg


I have always thought this was a GREAT modification. I would like to do it on our 25 Cruiser.
 
In my post above "This allows one to pull the boat out and reverse the cushion. " should read "This allows one to pull the board out and reverse the cushion.
 
As far as facing foward or aft,we bought a seat from West Marine it allows Wife to lean against the table when facing foward,then when facing aft it works too,the seat has a back rest that you can use any where.She is only 5ft tall and likes the position. Opening up the cave really does make the boat more enjoyable.I will post a picture of her facing foward.
 
Nice modification. Its one I would like to do before we start cruising this year.

Questions......what does your passenger (wife) hang onto when the seas get rough? How do you think it would have worked out if you had left the center portion of the "dash board" in place instead of taking it out?

thanks

Gene
 
It was very choppy this weekend and she had no problem. As far as the center staying in, we tried that first,still a pain to get in and out of. All you loose is the place to put stuff on that shelf,not a real problem for us. Having that cushion made to fill in the v berth made a huge difference, not only for sleeping but getting in and out of the bed.40 dollars well spent.
 
Back
Top