It's Surprisingly Easy to Widen a CD-25 V-Berth Opening

[Writer_Ron]

IMO the "trick" is to use one of the increasingly popular "oscillating multi-tools" (I own a Bosch model). In less than 10 minutes I produced about six-feet worth of straight cuts that were actually neater and cleaner than the original C-D factory-made cuts I found under the rubber molding. I simply marked the larger opening with painter's masking tape and kept making neat plunge cuts with the multi-tool.

Note that my iPhone camera adds distortion to the edges. They are straight. Really!

The toughest part of the job was to remove the residue from the existing rubber molding (which is metal reinforced).

I decided to "square out" the opening so I can trim it with teak molding. That's my next job.

[/img]

 

[ferret30]

I was thinking you might want to 'round out' the sharp inner corners you've made, maybe with a dremel and sanding drum. By leaving interior corners sharp, you may increase the likelihood of developing cracks radiating from the corner. Rounding them out will make it less likely to concentrate bending stresses at one point.

Maybe this isn't true for fiberglass, but it seems to be for things like glass, brittle plastic, wood, etc.

 

[Karl]

Sharp interior corners are technically called "stress risers" and good practice is to radius them.

The v-berth modification would greatly lessen my sense of claustrophobia in there...for me, very hard to sleep in a coffin...

I just bought my first oscillating multi-tool...very impressive. The Bosch model is a bargain, and comes with an adapter to use Fein tools also. All the tools are expensive, though, and will quickly exceed the price of the tool itself...regardless of brands. Even the Harbor Freight attachments are pricey.

 

[ghone]

Great execution on the project will make it a lot easier to get in and out. I however am worried about the sharp corner gouging someone's head. Boats toss folks periodically. It is a stress point too but more a noggin gouger. Boats and airplanes need curved openings. Square stuff is for houses. The opening into my last sailboat bunk I built looked like a cupcake! Rounded top, angled sides to flat bottom all 6 inch radiused. Looked good and no sharp corner. You can grind a radius on that sharp point and maybe glue on a teak colored bumper or foam for noggin protection. Great job. :lol: George

 

[Writer_Ron]

You can grind a radius on that sharp point and maybe glue on a teak colored bumper or foam for noggin protection. Great job. :lol: George

When the teak surround is finished, the one "sharp end" will be nicely rounded.

Interestingly, the chief head bumper in the V-berth is a bulge that extends from the ceiling near the starboard corner of the opening. I've hit it several times working inside the V-berth.



[/img]