Sunbeam ~ C-Dory 22 Cruiser

Just a couple of minor corrections, for the record (I did this project a year ago, so mis-remembered a couple of things). One is that the cutout patterns were, I believe, 1/4" ply, not 1/2". Two is that I didn't ream out and backfill the core on the hatch lids (I did do this on the berth flat portion of the opening though). On the hatch lids I basically just "painted" the edges with epoxy, then, IIRC, some thickened epoxy, after which I rounded them over a bit for pleasant handling and finished them off. After all, I may (or could) replace the lids with plywood or etc. later on.
 
Just want to say your hatch openings in the v-berth turned out amazing. The wood edges look really professional. If I ever finally do this project I'm coming back to this thread for guidance.

Thanks Sunbeam for continuing to document your projects so thoroughly, its really a wealth of information.
 
Very nice work as always. I keep wondering though, when you finally get the boat "just right", will you decide to move onto a different boat? You seem to really enjoy the projects (perhaps as much as using the boat), so if you run out of projects on your boat, maybe you can just hire yourself out to the rest of us. :wink:
 
Thanks, PaulNBriannaLynn. It's nice to know you find the write-up useful.

Roger: I don't think there's much danger of ever getting any boat "just right" :lol: OTOH, if there was a boat I could buy (that I liked and could afford) that didn't need anything, I wouldn't mind never picking up another sander, respirator, or batch of epoxy! Not that I hate boat projects, but I've had my fill over the years, and I'd rather be diving, kayaking, rowing, or sail/power boating. As it is I try to strike a balance, and I do like to keep (or make) a boat ship-shape and fit for my purposes. I wanted a bit more stowage and rather than get a bigger boat.... made some in the V-berth area.

Will I ever get a different boat? Probably, but that'd be because something else fit my mission better or called to me more strongly for some reason. (And no doubt that boat would need things as well.) Right now I'm happy with the C-Dory :thup
 
Sunbeam":3axakkg6 said:
Thanks, PaulNBriannaLynn. It's nice to know you find the write-up useful.

Roger: I don't think there's much danger of ever getting any boat "just right" :lol: OTOH, if there was a boat I could buy (that I liked and could afford) that didn't need anything, I wouldn't mind never picking up another sander, respirator, or batch of epoxy! Not that I hate boat projects, but I've had my fill over the years, and I'd rather be diving, kayaking, rowing, or sail/power boating. As it is I try to strike a balance, and I do like to keep (or make) a boat ship-shape and fit for my purposes. I wanted a bit more stowage and rather than get a bigger boat.... made some in the V-berth area.

Will I ever get a different boat? Probably, but that'd be because something else fit my mission better or called to me more strongly for some reason. (And no doubt that boat would need things as well.) Right now I'm happy with the C-Dory :thup
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So there's no chance that you'll come out here for the winter and work on my boat? :lol: :lol: :lol:
 
Four years ago Sunbeam":3lqhtjfm said:
Ever since buying my 22, I've had it in mind that I wanted to cut hatches into the V-berth flat. There were a couple of reasons for this. One is that I just don't like an "inaccessible" area in a boat if I can help it. I like to be able to get to the hull to see things, clean, possibly effect a repair, etc. Two is that I could make use of the additional storage space (keeping in mind that weight in the ends is not advantageous, but I have a number of bulky, light-for-their-size things I could stow there).
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For four years I have been looking at Sunbeam's wonderful illustrated essay (starting about 3/4 of the way down page 8 of this thread) on how to cut hatches in the V-berth, hack out the foam, and create an enormous amount of usable space. I will be taking my boat from the Seattle area to Glacier Bay and back (starting May 31) and as I began to pack for the trip I soon realized I had to have more room.

So, with lots and lots of encouragement and even more detailed instructions from Sunbeam, I started my own V-berth project, a few weeks ago.

It took about three full days of sawing, chiseling, hammering, cussing, sanding, vacuuming, and epoxying—but the effort was well worth it. And it really wasn't that hard. Here's what the finished V-berth hatches look like:


2019_05_13_18_24_50.sized.jpg


More pictures in my photo album, here.

Thanks Sunbeam for persuading me I could do this.
 
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