Anyone ever converted the front "V" area to a berth?

[Cevin c Taylor]

I've been wondering about coverting the front of my '83 CP16 to a berth area.  I don't think I'll ever get my wife to sleep in the "coffin" berths under the cockpit seats, but she might just agree to camp in the boat if I could make a forward berth.  Smaller boats like the Montgomery 15 have a forward berth.  I don't want to bite off more projects, but I was thinking that there should be a way to do this with a somewhat temporary setup that could be removed when not needed.  I also saw an article on a WWPotter 19 where they had removed the compression post and replace it with a nice arch.  Just wondering if anyone has ever done this.

[MacGyver]

I think I remember a post somewhere here that used some lumber that raised a side berth up to the level of the V berth to extend it for
use. Then add cushion material to suit the needs.

I tried to look for it, but didnt find it..... maybe someone else knows of what or where that was......

Mac

[Spartan]

Here's one example I posted a while back

[MacGyver]

^^^^^
This was what I was talking about
thanks Spartan!

If I get a 16 that is what I plan to do.

Mac

[Cevin c Taylor]

Thanks.  I remember seeing that photo.  I was thinking more of continuing the berth up to the forward part of the "V", like (I think) they do in the CP19.  Once I can get the cover off the boat I'll start doing some measurements to see what's possible.

[NateD]

Thanks.  I remember seeing that photo.  I was thinking more of continuing the berth up to the forward part of the "V", like (I think) they do in the CP19.  Once I can get the cover off the boat I'll start doing some measurements to see what's possible.

The problem with just extending the birth forward (without the step higher) is that the shape of the hull will be more narrow and you probably won't have enough shoulder room.

Another possibility is demolishing the current berths and make new ones at the same height has the keel (gets you 1-2" extra clearance in the coffin), then remove the foam under the cockpit and replace it with metal or wood support posts running down the middle of the cockpit (to stringers across the underside). Then you would basically have a small queen size bed that runs the entire width of the boat underneath the cockpit (with 2-3 posts running down the middle of it to support the cockpit sole).

Or you could leave the interior as-is and invest in a nice cockpit tent and an air mattress. Personally I like sleeping in the cabin, but for space and comfort, a couple slats of wood across the cockpit and an air mattress makes for a very roomy berth for two.