How to make sitting on quarterberth comfortable?

[BruceW]

So, my 1981 (I think) CP 23 is finally okay to sleep in, thanks to an airbed I got that fits perfectly. Yes, I could spend some money I don't currently have on new cushions, or even just put some more foam there, but this works for me. I sometimes even put the airbed away in the daytime. Either way, when I am sitting there, I don't really have a backrest.

So, yeah, I can try the sportaseat, but without something for it to lean against, it doesn't seem right.

Any el cheapo ideas?

I pretty much just hunch or lean against the v-berth bulkhead, but that's not idea since I have some stuff hanging from the hook there.

[Craig Weis]

Forget the foot-well 'tween the two quarter births, lay in a quarter round to support two planks to span the gap, nice and level and all, [ two planks makes storage of the planks easier than one piece plank ] and starting by the compression post or supporting arch and moving astern for the width of two births using these planks look at what was just made. A deck for an air mattress or cushions running port to starboard.
Now two sleep 'to get her' in comfort, side by side, totally stretched out from bulkhead to bulkhead. If the width is planned correctly there still be a small foot-well at the stairs in the companion way.

skip.

[BruceW]

Well, Skip that's a cool idea for sleeping.

I did something like it in the cockpit of my Suncat. I had a grate in there, and I just raised it up, supporting it with bed slats cut to the right length. Then, used some kind of cushions for a decent place to sleep out there.

Still looking for a sitting solution though.

[Bob23]

Bruce:
   My 23 (1985) came with 2 small tables that are hinged against the bulkhead. When up, they are supported by 2 hinged brackets that swing out. When down and behind the cushion, they are flush to the bulkhead and out of the way. But they can be used as a backrest just by having them fold down against the cushion top and this creating a slightly angled backrest. I'll try to get some pics...my description isn't making this clear, I'm sure.
   When I bought the boat, I was not familiar with these small tables and always thought they were standard equipment. Since then, I've learned that my boat received a lot of upgrades that I took for granted.
Bob23

[BruceW]

Bruce:
   My 23 (1985) came with 2 small tables that are hinged against the bulkhead. When up, they are supported by 2 hinged brackets that swing out. When down and behind the cushion, they are flush to the bulkhead and out of the way. But they can be used as a backrest just by having them fold down against the cushion top and this creating a slightly angled backrest. I'll try to get some pics...my description isn't making this clear, I'm sure.
   When I bought the boat, I was not familiar with these small tables and always thought they were standard equipment. Since then, I've learned that my boat received a lot of upgrades that I took for granted.
Bob23

Bob, this sounds like a cool idea, if I can get it into my head. A picture would be great. Email it if you want.

[Bob23]

Just emailed you. Let me know you received it.
B23

[HeaveToo]

Bob, post the pictures on here!!

I have always thought about making a bracket so my interior table could be used in the cockpit as well.  Maybe I will get to it this year.

[Bob23]

Ok, I will post 'em here. Or if I'm feeling lazy, the FB Compac page. Much easier to post photos.
Bob (lazyman) 23

[BruceW]

I might just put one of those reading pillows up against the bulkhead when I want to sit along the  quarterberth. Or read. haha.

I am wanting to see if I need to brace the sportaseat with something like that also for when I want to sit as though in a settee. Just want some back support.

[Mas]

Hey Heave, if you go to this website from an previous owner that built ityou will see a cockpit table that also is used in the salon area too. When not is use it stores in a nifty padded compartment that make a great backrest as well. I can claim no credit for it other than figuring out that it is used below decks as the most recent PO wasn't aware of that. Just sat there looking at some brackets on the galley and sure enough the table fit into them.

http://www.frontier.net/~chappell/

Make sure you take a closer look when we hook up for Tangier.

[BruceW]

Hey Heave, if you go to this website from an previous owner that built ityou will see a cockpit table that also is used in the salon area too. When not is use it stores in a nifty padded compartment that make a great backrest as well. I can claim no credit for it other than figuring out that it is used below decks as the most recent PO wasn't aware of that. Just sat there looking at some brackets on the galley and sure enough the table fit into them.

http://www.frontier.net/~chappell/

Make sure you take a closer look when we hook up for Tangier.

Hey, No Mas, that is a great site; regarding the table for cockpit and below, sometime would you show a picture of it stored in its case, and the brackets for use below? I have never used the table that came with my boat, but maybe I could use it somehow. It needs a padded case; just laying in the vberth right now, and it's kindasorta in the way.

Bruce

[brackish]

Hey, No Mas, that is a great site; regarding the table for cockpit and below, sometime would you show a picture of it stored in its case, and the brackets for use below? I have never used the table that came with my boat, but maybe I could use it somehow. It needs a padded case; just laying in the vberth right now, and it's kindasorta in the way.

Bruce

This worked out well for me.

http://cpyoa.geekworkshosting.com/forum/index.php?topic=6356.0


added: Oops, looking back I see you have already seen the thread.  Well, it is still working very well. However, it I ever get around to making the teak hinged fuel locker cover that has been on the project list for several years, I'll simplify the cockpit aft mounting bracket to something a little more storage friendly.

[BruceW]

This worked out well for me.

http://cpyoa.geekworkshosting.com/forum/index.php?topic=6356.0


added: Oops, looking back I see you have already seen the thread.  Well, it is still working very well. However, it I ever get around to making the teak hinged fuel locker cover that has been on the project list for several years, I'll simplify the cockpit aft mounting bracket to something a little more storage friendly.

Thanks for the reminder; oh, and that sliding stove thing is cool too; did you make it? I might like something for my stove other than putting it on the port quarterberth cushion. I think I will see what I can do to use my table top as a back rest for sitting, but in the back on my mind is still the cockpit location for use. I don't know if I would ever use it in the cabin. Hey, maybe if I am marooned long enough I would try it.

[Mas]

Hey, No Mas, that is a great site; regarding the table for cockpit and below, sometime would you show a picture of it stored in its case, and the brackets for use below? I have never used the table that came with my boat, but maybe I could use it somehow. It needs a padded case; just laying in the vberth right now, and it's kindasorta in the way.

Bruce

Hey Bruce, will try to send you an email with a few more particulars. Easier to attach photos! The challenge for almost any 23 other than No Mas and a couple others with similar galley arrangements is that the table brackets are positioned on the front of the galley. Essentially it sits in front of galley to form a small table area there. With the fold up section on the side of the galley in the up position, the aforementioned table in place along with the nav station fully extended we have a significant amount of "countertop" area for food prep and the like. The table has a padded case on the v-berth side of the starboard bulkhead where it make a great backrest for there but could be positioned to fit on the settee side of the bulkhead. The table's galley brackets would be easy enough to fit on any similar surface. It is not a large, room for a full spread, kinda table. If you are seeking something the size of the original then this will not work. I agree with most of the folks who also say the larger size is just to cumbersome. 23's are little craft so smaller fits the scale better.

Since the thread was about making a settee more comfortable, we have drifted a bit. No Mas has a bolster along the bulkhead and backrest cushions which make the settee more comfortable but truly the most comfortable settees are on the Mk1's when there was no cabinet storage but wide settees! You could actually sleep on them.

Brackish, I really like the arrangement you have as well. A little unclear how it works in the cockpit but sure it works for you!

[brackish]

BruceW, no I did not make the sliding stove tray, it is a standard feature on the 23.  Works well though, and would be fairly easy to make.

No Mas, the rear bracket for the table in the cockpit is fairly simple.  It is not permanently attached anywhere.  It has three points of support to horizontal surfaces on the cockpit seats and fuel cover, two points to vertical surfaces in the foot well and is held in place by wedge pressure.  Then, the two toggle clamps and one knob screw hold the table to the bracket.  The front post is just loose as it is in the cabin.  The table is very stable.