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20-07-2017, 13:07
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#1
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Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 17
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Converting a berth
I've read a number of threads about turning a 4-cabin, charter cat into an owners version. What about just converting the 4th berth into storage? I can always throw boxes on an empty berth, but has anybody made it into a permanent change? For instance, adding a washer/dryer, freezer, additional efficient storage space?
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20-07-2017, 13:11
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#2
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Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Up the mast, looking for clean wind.
Boat: Currently Shopping, & Heavily in LUST!
Posts: 5,629
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Re: Converting a berth
It's been done. But if you're not real, real careful, that could turn into a lot of weight, very quickly. Enough perhaps to even alter the boat's trim.
__________________
The Uncommon Thing, The Hard Thing, The Important Thing (in Life): Making Promises to Yourself, And Keeping Them.
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20-07-2017, 13:13
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#3
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Cruising the southern coast of Portugal and Spain
Boat: Leopard 40
Posts: 761
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Re: Converting a berth
Quote:
Originally Posted by Papillongirlie
I've read a number of threads about turning a 4-cabin, charter cat into an owners version. What about just converting the 4th berth into storage? I can always throw boxes on an empty berth, but has anybody made it into a permanent change? For instance, adding a washer/dryer, freezer, additional efficient storage space?
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We did exactly that. I have shelves, a Dometic 50 fridge/freezer, a Panda washer/dryer, and there is still a bin left over for tools.
Maje
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20-07-2017, 13:15
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#4
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Cruising the southern coast of Portugal and Spain
Boat: Leopard 40
Posts: 761
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Re: Converting a berth
Quote:
Originally Posted by UNCIVILIZED
It's been done. But if you're not real, real careful, that could turn into a lot of weight, very quickly. Enough perhaps to even alter the boat's trim.
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But it doesn't have to. My Panda washer/dryer is only 32lbs. I limit my cans and use dried beans for example.
Maje
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20-07-2017, 13:19
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#5
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: New Orleans
Boat: Bruce Roberts 44 Ofshore
Posts: 2,841
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Re: Converting a berth
I turned the forward end of my port side berths into a shower stall on my Cal 2-27. The after end will soon be my new galley. The starboard side lower berth will get extended and the upper will become dedicated storage, as will the large vee berth where I currently sleep. Your boat. Do it like you feel it. But unless your craftsmanship, methods and materials are 100% professional quality, your resale value will take a hard hit. Just sayin. Trim can be compensated, within reason, but you wouldn't want to end up with 600 lbs of tools, spares, and steel on one side, something like that, or lots of new appliances or tankage.
For the best and most practical ideas on layout changes, consult other owners of the same boat. You might even get some great ideas. You might also hear regrets about things that didn't work out so well.
__________________
GrowleyMonster
1979 Bruce Roberts Offshore 44, BRUTE FORCE
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20-07-2017, 15:00
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#6
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Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 17
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Re: Converting a berth
I'd love to hear how you did that!
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20-07-2017, 18:15
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#7
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 931
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Re: Converting a berth
Quote:
Originally Posted by GrowleyMonster
For the best and most practical ideas on layout changes, consult other owners of the same boat. You might even get some great ideas. You might also hear regrets about things that didn't work out so well.
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I had good luck googling my boat model and looking through the images. Be ready to scroll through many pages.
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20-07-2017, 21:48
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#8
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Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Up the mast, looking for clean wind.
Boat: Currently Shopping, & Heavily in LUST!
Posts: 5,629
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Re: Converting a berth
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tom and Maje
We did exactly that. I have shelves, a Dometic 50 fridge/freezer, a Panda washer/dryer, and there is still a bin left over for tools.
Maje
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tom and Maje
But it doesn't have to. My Panda washer/dryer is only 32lbs. I limit my cans and use dried beans for example.
Maje
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So this means, & is not limited to the following, in order to run & support said appliances.
Long runs of heavy & expensive wiring. Ditto on hoses.
Electrical panels & controls for above, along with fusing, breakers, etc.
Extra battery banks
Charging regulators; AC, & DC
More solar
AC Genset
Sound enclosure for genset
Plumbing for washer/dryer, & fridge/freezer. Including cooling loops, heat exchangers, water intake & overboard discharge, seacocks with backing plates, hoses for same...
Similar plumbing for genset
Mounting beds for genset, & probably the above appliances, including flexible, sound & vibration isolation mounts.
Spare parts for all of the above, along with manuals for each system, as well as notes on it's installation on the vessel, plus maintenance logs for each.
And the list could go on for several pages, much as it most certainly does when said equipment is being selected for & installed in the boat.
Then there's the couple of hundred pounds of plywood used for shelving. Or worse, wooden cabinetry with doors. And recall that in theory lightness is a multihull's friend. Not to mention that everything added to a boat costs money; to buy, to install, & to keep running. Along with the tools which are needed in order to do same (more weight, complexity, training, & cost).
So all told we've added an easy half a ton, & $15K-$20K as the entry price (if not twice+ that). With more headaches (maint.), fees, & weight to come later.
__________________
The Uncommon Thing, The Hard Thing, The Important Thing (in Life): Making Promises to Yourself, And Keeping Them.
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21-07-2017, 05:23
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#9
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 931
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Re: Converting a berth
Get the book by Rick Page and Jasna Tuta. IMO their multipurpose Bravo 1 washer is the answer for a cruising boat. Not the answer for a slip but on a boat that is used regularly you'll address the all to real parts list and issues that Uncivilized raised.
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21-07-2017, 05:24
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#10
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 931
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Re: Converting a berth
Quote:
Originally Posted by SecondBase
Get the book by Rick Page and Jasna Tuta. IMO their multipurpose Bravo 1 washer is the answer for a cruising boat. Not the answer for a slip but on a boat that is used regularly you'll address the all to real parts list and issues that Uncivilized raised.
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21-07-2017, 08:58
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#11
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Cruising the southern coast of Portugal and Spain
Boat: Leopard 40
Posts: 761
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Re: Converting a berth
Quote:
Originally Posted by UNCIVILIZED
So this means, & is not limited to the following, in order to run & support said appliances.
Long runs of heavy & expensive wiring. Ditto on hoses.
Electrical panels & controls for above, along with fusing, breakers, etc.
Extra battery banks
Charging regulators; AC, & DC
More solar
AC Genset
Sound enclosure for genset
Plumbing for washer/dryer, & fridge/freezer. Including cooling loops, heat exchangers, water intake & overboard discharge, seacocks with backing plates, hoses for same...
Similar plumbing for genset
Mounting beds for genset, & probably the above appliances, including flexible, sound & vibration isolation mounts.
Spare parts for all of the above, along with manuals for each system, as well as notes on it's installation on the vessel, plus maintenance logs for each.
And the list could go on for several pages, much as it most certainly does when said equipment is being selected for & installed in the boat.
Then there's the couple of hundred pounds of plywood used for shelving. Or worse, wooden cabinetry with doors. And recall that in theory lightness is a multihull's friend. Not to mention that everything added to a boat costs money; to buy, to install, & to keep running. Along with the tools which are needed in order to do same (more weight, complexity, training, & cost).
So all told we've added an easy half a ton, & $15K-$20K as the entry price (if not twice+ that). With more headaches (maint.), fees, & weight to come later.
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You are really overthinking this. Remodels can be done inexpensively and without all the stuff you mentioned. The Panda washer/dryer doesn't need to be plumbed in. It has a hose that goes out the portlight when we use it. We did have to hardwire the Dometic 12v to the battery. That didn't require much either. Our shelves are open with lips, and bungee cord run along the center of the shelves so stuff doesn't fall out. Since I carried all of the wood, I can tell you that it's less than 100lbs. We don't have AC or a genset. We did up our solar because we don't want to have to run the portable generator.
The one thing you do have to do is make sure your weight distribution between the hulls is about even.
Maje
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21-07-2017, 09:38
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#12
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: UK, Middle East, Australia
Boat: Angus Primrose One design 45ft And Duncanson 34 Mk2
Posts: 222
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Re: Converting a berth
A washing machine on a boat.. LOL
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21-07-2017, 09:47
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#13
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: San Carlos Mexico
Boat: PDQ 36
Posts: 146
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Re: Converting a berth
Quote:
Originally Posted by Papillongirlie
I've read a number of threads about turning a 4-cabin, charter cat into an owners version. What about just converting the 4th berth into storage? I can always throw boxes on an empty berth, but has anybody made it into a permanent change? For instance, adding a washer/dryer, freezer, additional efficient storage space?
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I agree, why have that extra berth if you don't need it, and if you need more storage. It's your boat you can do anything you like with it. I will likely be doing the same. Isn't this a lovely thing?
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21-07-2017, 22:32
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#14
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Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 17
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Re: Converting a berth
A woman aboard who weighs more than 140#. LOL. We all have our expectations. Don't try to force yours on others.
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21-07-2017, 22:48
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#15
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Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 17
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Re: Converting a berth
OMG, I hadn't thought about these things!! Weight, cost, I'm a complete idiot, apparently. Dude, I asked about feasiibility, not your opinion
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