F36 Front Berth

LandVF36 · Post by **LandVF36** » Sat Nov 08, 2008 10:21 am

Has anybody done a complete refit on the forward berth of an F36? Just thinking about over the winter. Ours is a 73' In the lower walk leading to the front berth, there is a bunk room on the starboard and head on the left, door forward master.

The master has closets/lockkers on both port and starboard to chin height, then the V shape ded forward with insert. I was thinking of demoing out the closets and gutting the whole room, then raise the platform about 6" and making a "center island" bed with new storage out on th sides. (Don't know if this makes any sense to anyone) If figured I can enough space by lifting 6" to get a custom double or almost a queen size mattress in there either tn centered layout or set to port or starboard.

Has anybody taken on such a project? Have any pcitures or diagrams?

gjrylands · Post by **gjrylands** » Sat Nov 08, 2008 11:30 am

I,ve got a 79 F36. The layout is a bit different, but the forward state room is similar. I have the closet on the starboard side, but the shower stall extends into the stateroom, instead of having the closet on the port side.

In mine there is a padded board covered with fabric that sits on the plywood base of the bed, and goes up to a shelf. The board is about 16 to 18 inches wide. The shelf is a piece of teak plywood. When the shelf is removed, you will find that it is sitting on a board that is glassed into the hull. It looks like the board is there to give the hull extra strength. I don't think you can remove this board without jeopardiizing the integrity of the hull.

When you raise the platform, because the hull is flairing out, the size of the bed will increase in size, but the board in the hull will protrude into the stateroom. Now instead of having the shelf 16 inches above the platform, it will be 10 inches. What this means is you will have a larger bed, but will not have any more room for sleeping on it. It will also be a hazard. (Something to crack your head on, or jam into your back.)

I can see what you are trying to do, but I think you may have to rethink the project.

P.S. That board that is glassed into the hull runs from the forward bulkhead wall to the back wall on both sides of the stateroom.

gjrylands · Post by **gjrylands** » Sat Nov 08, 2008 12:11 pm

One more thought.

Because of the shape of the hull an island bed in the forward stateroom will not work. You will have no leg room on the side of the bed since the hull is sloping to a point. In some newed boats the height of the deck is raised to add headroom in the forward stateroom. They can then raise the height of the bed in order to gain space for leg room on the side of the bed. It works, but the traditional cruser line are destroyed, and it winds up looking like a Carver.

If you remove the closets on one or both sides you will be able to get a bed with more leg room, and it will also get wider, but don't forget about the swing of the stateroom door. Mine swings into the room.

Peter · Post by **Peter** » Sat Nov 08, 2008 12:58 pm

I have a 1976 F36 with exactly the same layout as yours. I have a large holding tank underneath the forward birth, not much room under there to sink storage space. If you knock out those two closets, you lose storage space, already at a premium in the master and starboard state room.

Certainly, could build some boxes, with lifting tops, accessible underneath a hinged raised mattress platform. Personally, I'd recommend updating with a new headliner, new padded vinyl surround, possibly new wallpaper. Have fun with your winter projects, dreaming and planning and going at it, are great ways to occupy time when you're on the hard.

LandVF36 · Post by **LandVF36** » Sun Nov 09, 2008 12:45 am

Interesting info about the board that is glassed in. I have not removed or peaked under the shelf but it makes sense that there is something there for the shelf to "sit on". The issue is length. I'm just about 6' and we sleep generally with our feet forward. Having another 6" would make a lot of difference.

Certainly, before I get todo excited about it, I would spend a 1/2 day recording dimiensions so I could draw it out.

Question? How large of a holding tank have you placed below the bed? Ours is only 12 gallons, and it drives us nuts. Our last boat, a 28' Chris Craft I was able to install a 42 gallon tank holding tank. It would be nice to at least be able to go 2-3 days. If we have any body on board, its pretty much a daily trip for a pumpout....

Peter · Post by **Peter** » Sun Nov 09, 2008 2:27 pm

I am not sure what the size of our holding tank is. Is a large triangular stainless steel? tank, likely about 40 gallons. With wife and two children, on a trip can get about a week out of it. The only really irritating thing, is no gauge. Do have a red light that comes on [in the head] when full. Have thought about installing a float type gauge, however the thought of installing it in the holding tank is not really appealing [ugh].

I am only 5'8" so sleeping feet forward is not a problem. My wife and I have however also at times slept with head and feet abeam. Not sure what the dimensions are, but with the filler cushion installed, I can certainly sleep a beam, completely stretched out without an issue.

JuiceClark · Post by **JuiceClark** » Sun Nov 09, 2008 7:16 pm

I've been thinking about this potential project for the 5 years I've owned my F-36 (1982) and I STILL haven't figured a good alternative. It's just not big enough unless you get rid of the shower or something that's really more important.

If someone comes up with inspired genius to make the V-berth more comfy, I'll be the first to do the project.

TC

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Sun Nov 09, 2008 9:28 pm

I agree it would be nice but you only have so much room .It got tighter in 77/78 when they put in the shower stall (well worth it )

LandVF36 · Post by **LandVF36** » Sun Nov 09, 2008 10:48 pm

Taking advice from above that the glassed in supports are going to stay, this is my first concept drawing. The bed outline is a double bed. Its a 73 trojan so no shower and both current lockers can be removed. I thought I relocate the lockers to the outside walls and add more storage above the remaining side shelves.

I'd also make "steps" arond the edges as incidated by the slant lines, barely enough room for a foot. You could have storage under the steps as well, but I don't think much would fit in there except for another place on the boat to hide tools

(The dimensions are pretty close. As noted, just a sketch, not production ready idea yet).

Any thoughts?

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