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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

Cabin Sleeping Space

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jaclasch
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USA
104 Posts

Initially Posted - 07/14/2010 : 14:29:00

Like many other traditional-interior C25 owners, I have always wished I had a sleeping space in the main cabin that would be a little roomier than the V-berth and not claustrophobic like the quarter-berth. Some very ingenious mods have shown up on this site but I always wished there was one that didn’t involve a lot of work, boring more holes in my boat, more cushions, or increased storage problems.

Wandering around the local Cabela’s store, I spotted an interesting camp cot. When I looked at the dimensions, 75” long, 25” wide, and 16” high, it became a lot more interesting. I knew the available space was about that long and appeared to be wide enough for for at least a little aisle. So off I went with my new cot for a test fit on the boat.

The fit was fine except for the problem of the non-flat sole. Some measuring showed that three spacer/support blocks would solve that. I made three 4” X 4” blocks from scrap shelving with thicknesses as follows: forward starboard leg 3 ¼ in., middle starboard leg 1 ½ in., aft port leg 2 ¾ in. These should probably be increased by a quarter-inch if you do not use carpet on the sole. They are topped with 1 ¾ in rubber caster pads which fit the cot legs perfectly.

The cot unfolds easily in the cabin.

Admittedly it is a bit of a wrestling match getting the end pieces on while the canvas is new and stiff.

Once unfolded and locked, the cot is placed upright and the blocks put into place.

With a “self-inflating” Coleman pad added, I find it quite comfortable. It is very easy to set up, take down, and store either on the boat or in a dock box. Access to the companionway steps is crowded, but usable.

One big advantage of this approach is that you can fold the cot up, slide it into its carry-case and pack it elsewhere, e.g., a camp site.

Name and price of cot: Trekker Camp Cot, Item 2UG-580015, $59.99

James
1983 FK/TR
Tiempo Dorado

Edited by - jaclasch on 07/14/2010 16:30:00

islander
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4024 Posts

Response Posted - 07/14/2010 : 15:52:04

I love it ! Very good find and an affordable idea for more sleeping space. It also will allow someone in the quarter berth to go forward to the head without climbing over others as you would have to do with the sideways approach that others have set up. Thumbs Up!

Edited by - on

OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 07/14/2010 : 17:46:34

Your interior teak looks excellent . . . what did you coat it with?

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jaclasch
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USA
104 Posts

Response Posted - 07/14/2010 : 18:22:37

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by OJ
 Your interior teak looks excellent . . . what did you coat it with?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
All teak has only teak oil on it. Other woods (like in the book rack where I used a couple of pieces of bubinga) are varnished as is the table which is African mahogany.

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Voyager
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5376 Posts

Response Posted - 07/14/2010 : 20:30:39

James,
Just a thought. To even out the "bump", can you use an inflatable mattress to span across the port settee and the cot? I love my air mattress, and if a twin size would fit, seems like it would be an ideal setup.

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jaclasch
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104 Posts

Response Posted - 07/14/2010 : 21:07:02

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Voyager
 James,
Just a thought. To even out the "bump", can you use an inflatable mattress to span across the port settee and the cot? I love my air mattress, and if a twin size would fit, seems like it would be an ideal setup.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Bruce, I think if you look at the last picture looking down the companionway, you will see that the stove area intrudes. I don't remember how wide a twin mattress is (34 or 36 inches?)so the width would be fine but the 75 inch length would be the problem.

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TCurran
Admiral

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USA
588 Posts

Response Posted - 07/15/2010 : 03:54:08

Looks like an old Army cot, slept many a nights on one. The only problem I had was my feet would lay right on the end piece, I solved that by not fitting the piece to the end, but placing it underneath against the x-frame.
tom

Edited by - TCurran on 07/15/2010 04:00:13

DaveR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2015 Posts

Response Posted - 07/15/2010 : 07:10:37

James, that's an excellent low cost low maintenance mod, I love it!! Looks to me like you could slide that cot to the middle and use the air mattress like Bruce mentioned. Definitely going to do this one. thanks!

Edited by - DaveR on 07/15/2010 07:11:51

islander
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4024 Posts

Response Posted - 07/15/2010 : 14:24:51

Or maybe put the cushion from the starboard settee on it.

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Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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5376 Posts

Response Posted - 07/15/2010 : 20:00:31

Scott
now you're tawkin'!

Edited by - Voyager on 07/15/2010 20:01:21

Stinkpotter
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Djibouti
9080 Posts

Response Posted - 07/15/2010 : 20:22:35

I had the dinette interior (Bruce's boat, Passage) with a narrower aisle. I found that the width was just about identical to the width of the center cushion in the quarterberth (behind the companionway steps). Therefore, when I had new interior cushions made, I had that cushion shortened to the length I would want for a "bridge" between the starboard settee and the dinette, for an athwartship double. But I never built the support for it. That cushion stayed home, and I used that space for storage. The remaining quarterberth cushion was fine for one person--the combination was never very hospitable for two.

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 07/15/2010 20:25:20

Voyager
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USA
5376 Posts

Response Posted - 07/16/2010 : 19:53:55

Dave,
When I originally scoped out the cushions, I noticed the odd one that fit between the dinette and the starboard settee, and then looked high and low for the bridge piece.

Not finding one, I built one out of 1/2" plywood with two 1"x2" cross members for strength, and with two ridge boards that interlock with the seats' trim edge pieces (keeps it in place, prevents it from sliding out).

Using this set up, can place a fully supported queen sized air mattress in the space. It is very comfortable for two to sleep.

Only drawback is that it's impossible to walk through the cabin from the companionway to the head.

Instead, I like the twin-bed size of the bunk, plus the narrow passageway that James has provided.

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