Easier entry to V berth on CD-25
- Thread starter joc1212
- Start date
Instead of just cutting the bulkhead out below the shelf to open up the berth area, we removed the shelf too. I have never seen the bulkhead and shelf removed on a 25 but don't see why it wouldn't work like it does on our 22.
Filling in the middle with a new cushion makes a one big bed instead of 2 skinny ones. We sleep feet to the bow and think this is the best mod we have made to the boat. (We can easily put the bulkhead and shelf back in with 4 bolts if we ever want to.)
Jim
Filling in the middle with a new cushion makes a one big bed instead of 2 skinny ones. We sleep feet to the bow and think this is the best mod we have made to the boat. (We can easily put the bulkhead and shelf back in with 4 bolts if we ever want to.)
Jim
Wandering Sagebrush
Free Range Human
joc1212":vuj2tssq said:
Check with Pat and Patty Anderson. I believe they removed their bulkhead.
Edit: http://www.c-brats.com/modules.php?set_ ... _photo.php
Yes, Thataway C Dory 25 has the entire port side bulkhead removed. it does make v Berth entry easier. 
Here is a photo taken mostly to show the fan / light and remote control for it, from the port side berth looking aft. In this case we have the boat packed and on a trip. I put the throwable cushion over some other gear, which extends the bunk pillow area.
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Since Marie likes to sit in the aft dinette seat, we leave the forward seat facing aft all of the time. In our Tom Cat 255 (which comes without bulkhead), we had a cushion made for the foot well, which extended the bunk area.
Here is a photo taken mostly to show the fan / light and remote control for it, from the port side berth looking aft. In this case we have the boat packed and on a trip. I put the throwable cushion over some other gear, which extends the bunk pillow area.
. Since Marie likes to sit in the aft dinette seat, we leave the forward seat facing aft all of the time. In our Tom Cat 255 (which comes without bulkhead), we had a cushion made for the foot well, which extended the bunk area.
Gene&Mary
New member
One of the best mods I ever did.
smckean (Tosca)
New member
Better to call it a "partition" since that "wall" is not structural at all (although it does support the shelf in a minor and inconsequential way).
To each his own, of course. I love that fact that this partition is mostly removed on my CD25. Not just for the "crawl in, crawl out" issues either. I find it convenient when throwing duffle bags, sleeping bags, life jackets, tools bag, etc up there.....as is done endlessly (on my boat at least).
journey on
New member
Well, I thought that bulkhead had structural value. The shelf is pop riveted at the top, but there are lag screws along the bottom. It has to give the hull some stiffness. I'd be interested what led smecan(Tosca) to make that statement.
I do agree that the original opening makes it hard to get in and out of the berth, at least for me; a sign of old age I suppose. So, I cut a larger hole, but did not remove as much as Bob did, in the picture above. Makes it a lot easier to get in/out and still leaves some structural stiffness.
Boris
I do agree that the original opening makes it hard to get in and out of the berth, at least for me; a sign of old age I suppose. So, I cut a larger hole, but did not remove as much as Bob did, in the picture above. Makes it a lot easier to get in/out and still leaves some structural stiffness.
Boris
smckean (Tosca)
New member
Likely because I don't know what I'm talking about..... :wink: :lol:
Seriously, I am no expert that's for sure, but when I hear "bulkhead", I imagine a vital structural element without which the hull would have its integrity seriously compromised. I suppose that's too strict a definition.
My reason for mentioning it is that my boat has a big chunk of that "partition" cut out (but not all, and not as much as Dr Bob's either), and I just wanted the OP to know that cutting into that partition isn't a scary thing that compromises the boat. For all I know it does compromise the boat, but that's not my take on it. For one thing, even after you increase the access to the V-berth, you will still have much of that partition in place.....(again in my judgement) plenty to support the shelf, and enough on both the starboard and port sides to maintain most of whatever stiffness the full partition gave the hull. (Note the factory partition not exist along the center of the cabin sole, and is therefore not attached to that vital part of the hull.)
Clearly, YMMV. In my case, I don't think my boat suffered any from removing that chunk......and I love the access.
Pat Anderson
New member
Not sure when removed most of the partition to the left of the helm, but Scott Boysen, who was C-Dory factory manager under the Lindhout ownership, who would have known if it created a structural issue, was not the least bit concerned about it. He actually help smooth out my cuts and put the trim on! We have cruised thousands and thousands of miles (5,428 miles on our 2017 Great Loop alone) with the partition modification, and AFAIK, we have suffered no ill effects! It has been incredibly better getting in and out of the vee-berth compared to the way it was with the factory entry to the vee-berth. We consider it the best modification we ever made to Daydream.
Those who call it a partition are more accurate than those (myself included ) who call it a bulkhead. A structural bulkhead would have been tabbed in. In fact, this partition floats with no structural attachment to the hull.
A proper bulkhead would have been tabbed in with fiberglass mat, tape and polyester resin to the side of the boat. The part which is structural, is the V berth platform and the area where there is a floor in the center of the V berth. This floor and the V berth platform are only tabbed in at the aft end, and along the sides of the hull. They do give some support and rigidity. I have seen boats which have been abused, where the tabbing had broken loose from the V Berth platform.
It does not show well in the photos, but the wooden block the fan is attracted to, is epoxied to the hull and there is support for the "Dashboard" or what you want to call it in front of the navigators' seat. That is not really structural, but does give support to the hull.,
Why the lag screws--no idea--I have seen a number of them loose, worked with time.
Conclusion no structural support. My thought is if you want cozy or privacy, then you can put a cloth curtain there. I enjoy the extra length and there is less "footsie" with our partner at night...
A proper bulkhead would have been tabbed in with fiberglass mat, tape and polyester resin to the side of the boat. The part which is structural, is the V berth platform and the area where there is a floor in the center of the V berth. This floor and the V berth platform are only tabbed in at the aft end, and along the sides of the hull. They do give some support and rigidity. I have seen boats which have been abused, where the tabbing had broken loose from the V Berth platform.
It does not show well in the photos, but the wooden block the fan is attracted to, is epoxied to the hull and there is support for the "Dashboard" or what you want to call it in front of the navigators' seat. That is not really structural, but does give support to the hull.,
Why the lag screws--no idea--I have seen a number of them loose, worked with time.
Conclusion no structural support. My thought is if you want cozy or privacy, then you can put a cloth curtain there. I enjoy the extra length and there is less "footsie" with our partner at night...