Visit our Popular Forums

mauiboy86 · 14-09-2008, 06:28

I am looking for a pipe berth for use while underway, I cant seem to find a manufacturer on the internet. Anyone know where to get one?

dcstrng · 14-09-2008, 09:25

Don't think I've ever seen one in the fiberglass era... every now and again I used to see one in an older wooden boat, but their construction was so simple, I'd think a local craftsman could fabricate if one gave them a pattern...

Mainebristol · 14-09-2008, 09:42

Actually, my boat, a Bristol 32, has one. I doubt it's ever been used. It couldn't be simpler. It consists of two aluminum pipes that fit into wooden chocks mounted on the bulkheads. The canvass has tubes sewn into each side to accept the pipes. I'm away from home on business, or I'd go out to the mooring and photograph it for you. You can just barely see the chocks on the interior shots of the bristol 32 brochure, here. The pipe berth would be mounted over the starboard settee. Bristol32

I know, tough to see anything in these old brochures.
I already have one, which I don't use, but could easily fabricate one with some basic wood working tools and a sewing machine. Easy as pie, and a lot less useful, in my opinion.

Great regards, Mainebristol

mauiboy86 · 14-09-2008, 12:53

I just placed an order for this stretcher which I think will work great. Will let you know.
http://www.lifemedicalsupplier.com/e...603-p-202.html

Zach · 14-09-2008, 14:25

The Big Book of Boat Canvas has a few pages on building pipe berths.

(Just so happens that those pages are in google books preview... shh!)

Zach

Weyalan · 14-09-2008, 15:28

Pipe berths, in my experience, are custom made to suit the boat and the location where they will be fitted. I got some made up for a friend's 40-footer. I bought some aluminium tube, got it welded to the measurements required, then made some mesh panels, with eyelets around the edge and lashed them onto the frames.

jzk · 14-09-2008, 17:21

I had 2 pipe berths in my Irwin 38 which were nothing more than 2 aluminum pipes, a dacron berth, and some nice teak mounts on the bulkheads for the pipes to fit into. They were always there, to use, just move one pipe over to its mount. I thought the pipe berths were great.

keelbolts · 18-09-2008, 08:43

I see you solved your problem, but for others that look at this thread, let me point out that Herreshoff's Sensible Cruising Designs has drawings for the construction of a pipe berth. What you went with went by another name, but I don't remember what it was. A stretcher Berth?

Jack Tar · 23-12-2009, 12:13

My next project is a forepeak re design. Ill be tearing out the solid berths and going to pipe. I want to stow them when not in use so we have more room to lounge and read.