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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 250 Specific Forum

V berth locker access

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Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2980 Posts

Initially Posted - 02/09/2003 : 10:44:12

While responding to another post this morning... I thought about the V berth locker hatch which has always been a pain because it requires both cushions to be removed to access and the hatch is a bit ungainly in size.

It would be much better if the hatch were either a two part hatch or hinged at the middle. Doing so would allow entry of either side by removing one cushion and removing or opening that side only.

Its on my list.

Arlyn C-250 W/B #224
R&R N/E Texas and Great Lakes

[url="http://www.cox-internet.com/arlynstewart/"]Arlyn's C250 Mods n Cruisin Stories[/url]

Edited by - on

Tom Coleman
Deckhand

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USA
19 Posts

Response Posted - 02/09/2003 : 12:22:42

Arlyn;
I have had the same problem and would enjoy a solution. More often than not, I simply need to take a quick glance at the water tank or just grab something small. Removing both cushions is a pain. I do not keep my removable table top stowed in this area, so a split hatch would work great if it could be done without weakening the support it provides to the cushions. If you develop any plans please post them, as I, and others, would undoubtedly be very interested.

Tom Coleman
"Kalya"
C250 wb #568
Salt Lake City

Edited by - on

Bryan Beamer
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1038 Posts

Response Posted - 02/09/2003 : 13:31:18

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote><font size=1 face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>It would be much better if the hatch were either a two part hatch or hinged at the middle. <hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size=2 id=quote>

My 2000 wk came with the v-berth hatch split. The only problem, it is split in half from port to starboard not bow to stern. So you still have to remove both cushions.

I also would like a bow to stern split with a hinge. I think the hinge would help strengthen the split hatch board.

We never take our table down and the kids sleep in the v-berth, but if I climb up there I feel the hatch board give a little when I kneel too close to the split.

Bryan Beamer
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b3dc23b3127cce9462f2858f2b0000001010" border=0>
Daylight Again
C250wk #495

Edited by - on

Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2980 Posts

Response Posted - 02/09/2003 : 18:19:13

Bryan, was surprized to learn that your hatch was split that direction. Wonder why?

I performed the mod today and it took all of thirty minutes. Had a piano hinge on hand.

http://www.cox-internet.com/arlynstewart/hatch.html

<img src="http://www.stewartfam.net/arlyn/vhatch3.jpg" border=0>

Arlyn C-250 W/B #224
R&R N/E Texas and Great Lakes

[url="http://www.cox-internet.com/arlynstewart/"]Arlyn's C250 Mods n Cruisin Stories[/url]

Edited by - arlyn stewart on 02/09/2003 19:23:56

Edited by - arlyn stewart on 02/09/2003 20:12:56

Edited by - on

jkey6
1st Mate

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71 Posts

Response Posted - 02/11/2003 : 21:24:23

Thats it! Catalina must hire Arlyn as their chief design Engineer.

Cool idea, now I have yet another mod to make. Hopefully it will soon be warm enough to get on the boat (mine is still floating, or at least it was when I last saw it over Christmas break).

Thanks Arlyn - Einstein said, "Everything is obvious, after someone else tells you about it"

I avoided using the large v-berth locker because moving both cushions was a chore; one as you know is easy. To stand both on end and raise the factory cover, you need at least 3 arms and hands.

JKEY on
"All Keyed Up"
(and fed up with an the coldest southern winter in a decade).

Edited by - on

Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2980 Posts

Response Posted - 02/12/2003 : 20:01:52

JKey,

Took me 7 yrs to think of that ... I don't think Catalina would be impressed <img src=icon_smile_sad.gif border=0 align=middle>

Arlyn C-250 W/B #224
R&R N/E Texas and Great Lakes

[url="http://www.cox-internet.com/arlynstewart/"]Arlyn's C250 Mods n Cruisin Stories[/url]

Edited by - on

Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
2980 Posts

Response Posted - 03/07/2003 : 08:48:47

I've been doing boat prep for the upcoming Bahamas cruise and have been in and out of the V berth locker many times since the mod... So much better <img src=icon_smile.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile.gif border=0 align=middle>

Arlyn C-250 W/B #224
<img src="http://www.stewartfam.net/arlyn/rr.jpg" border=0>
N/E Texas and Great Lakes

[url="http://www.cox-internet.com/arlynstewart/"]Arlyn's C250 Mods n Cruisin Stories[/url]

Edited by - on

Dragonfly
1st Mate

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USA
64 Posts

Response Posted - 03/07/2003 : 09:09:33

Yep, I did the same modification last week - 2 pieces of birch = $20.00; 1 piano hinge = $5.00; saw and install- Done! Ease of use = Priceless!!<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

C-250 WK #641
Flywater@sbcglobal.net
Lake Texoma, Texas

Edited by - on

cathluk
Admiral

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USA
513 Posts

Response Posted - 03/07/2003 : 11:25:40

[quote]
My 2000 wk came with the v-berth hatch split. The only problem, it is split in half from port to starboard not bow to stern. So you still have to remove both cushions.
[quote]

Our 1997 also has a split port to starboard. It would definitely work better the other way! We store our sleeping bags & (in summer) cruisair in the v-berth & our inflatable Sevylor dinghy under the v-berth & we have to put the entire living area in disaray to get anything out of the under v-berth storage. Maybe we could cut a new cover? Hmmm.

Cathy
"Blown Away"
'97 C250WK #253

Edited by - on

Rob Poirier
Deckhand

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Canada
23 Posts

Response Posted - 03/07/2003 : 12:04:02

I am not very mechanical but I made this very same modification 2 years ago when I finally got sick of fighting with the table. What I really want to hear is details about Arlyn's Bahamas trip. I did not think the 250 a Gulf Stream passagemaker.

Rob 250WB #44

Edited by - on

Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2980 Posts

Response Posted - 03/07/2003 : 13:36:03

Rob,

The gulf stream is not a particularly hard passage when done with a proper weather window. Many small craft make the passage. The C250 is a capable coastal cruiser, and can handle a variety of conditions. It does have a lot of freeboard and is subject to a lot of leeway going to weather in a breese. However, to offset this it has a motor well that places the motor closer to the transom than many trailer boats and with an extra long shaft motor... it rarely spins out even in nasty short steep chop. Keeping the motor close to the transom is the primary reason I've never considered adding the motor mount extension.

It is subject to blowing sideways and straining at it's anchor...so must be protected by either a riding sail or two anchors. They may be spread forward or one forward and one aft.

The boat suffers none of the problems of cockpit drainage that traditionally have plagued many trailer sailors.

There are two C250's making the April crossing in our group and two C25's.

Arlyn C-250 W/B #224
<img src="http://www.stewartfam.net/arlyn/rr.jpg" border=0>
N/E Texas and Great Lakes

[url="http://www.cox-internet.com/arlynstewart/"]Arlyn's C250 Mods n Cruisin Stories[/url]

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