MauriceMynah Posted December 19, 2013 Share Posted December 19, 2013 One of the things I have noticed over the years is the way that the larger the boat, the more the available space is wasted. My first boat was a 16' marine ply cruiser. I was able to sleep 3 people for a long weekend (it was the Queen's silver jubilee) . Tight, yes but doable. Now three boats and just over 35 years later I have a boat some 11 feet longer, yet I reckon there is only minimally more stowage and 3 people would still be almost as tight a fit. Sitting looking at the inside of my boat in the summer, I couldn't help but notice where so much space was wasted, and now I wonder if I can do something about it. Ok, the boat... She is an Elysian Bounty 27 aft cockpit. The way she was constructed was (I think) by building the hull, putting in fibreglass mouldings for the bunks galley etc. then plopping the cabin top on afterwards. Now, that's just fine and dandy, but it's those Bunk and galley mouldings that waste space. Before I start cutting holes in them, I need to find out how much they are a part of the basic strength of the boat. Under the cooker for example there is, I estimate, about 2 cubic feet of space albeit wedge shaped. At the moment there is just a ventilation grill. I am thinking of removing that grill,. enlarging the hole and putting a small door there, thus turning it into a cupboard, and then placing the grill on the cupboard door! Firstly, would that be ok as far as the BSS and the vent is concerned? but mainly, will making that access point weaken the overall structure of the boat? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C.Ricko Posted December 19, 2013 Share Posted December 19, 2013 It would not weaken the structure, to open the space up, I would not want to comment on the ventilation but as long as there is the same or more than you started with you should be ok but check with someone who knows the regs and can see what you have done.. With a elysian, as long as the roof is held up and the bulkheads are sound then cutting the tray about would not be an issue with regard to strength of the boat for river use.. Some Elysians had the fridge under the helm seat which made space in the galley/saloon area, on some of our boats we extended the toilet roof into the cockpit which made the shower/toilet much more useable. some have the toilet between the saloon and fwd berths which is not as good use of space in my opinion. The later Bounty 27 has a fiberglass gas locker/ storage area across under the rear seat in the cockpit which is a good use of space. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MauriceMynah Posted December 19, 2013 Author Share Posted December 19, 2013 Thanks Clive, I shall press ahead with some of the modifications I have in mind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
650xs Posted December 19, 2013 Share Posted December 19, 2013 rip it ooot and put some trendy scander furniture in .....or quick dun to charity sop amd some nice ole 70 mdf stuff thatl doo 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MauriceMynah Posted December 20, 2013 Author Share Posted December 20, 2013 Naah matey, I got some me'ogany to use up! It's gotta be on the boat or in the wood burner. Nice frame, door hinged at the bottom, no worries! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ranworthbreeze Posted December 20, 2013 Share Posted December 20, 2013 Hello JTF, People have been hung drawn & quartered for less. Burn hardwood indeed Regards Alan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MauriceMynah Posted December 20, 2013 Author Share Posted December 20, 2013 A poor soul's got to keep warm you know, and lets face it, it'll soon be cheaper to burn teak rather than electricity!!! (I've got some of that too ) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jillR Posted December 20, 2013 Share Posted December 20, 2013 when I took a bulkhead out in bilgefairys cabin, I put a newel post inits place to help the support.I don't know if it helped but it made me feel better. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MauriceMynah Posted December 20, 2013 Author Share Posted December 20, 2013 and if it's been there for twelve months you can say "Happy newel year" 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MauriceMynah Posted December 21, 2013 Author Share Posted December 21, 2013 Hi there all, I've just found a picture of the space I've been talking about, just below the cooker and has a vent. How large a hole do people think I can make where that vent is? Still not mastered attaching pics Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MauriceMynah Posted December 21, 2013 Author Share Posted December 21, 2013 Yeeeeee Haaaaaaaaaa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hockham Admiral Posted December 21, 2013 Share Posted December 21, 2013 when I took a bulkhead out in bilgefairys cabin, I put a newel post in its place to help the support. I don't know if it helped but it made me feel better. It would have helped as a vertical lee-board, Jill! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mowjo Posted December 21, 2013 Share Posted December 21, 2013 The vent in that picture is just that, a Vent! on my daughters Elysian I cut a big hole where the vent is leaving a couple of inches all round, lined it with ply and put a door on the front, it's now a small storage space where she keeps all her pots and pans, I've done this on a few of my boats, you probably don't need to put a vent in the door, but it wouldn't do any harm,,, Frank,, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mowjo Posted December 21, 2013 Share Posted December 21, 2013 If they come out here's what I did on my last boat,, Tell a fib! that was on my Freeman23,, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gancanny Posted December 21, 2013 Share Posted December 21, 2013 Yeeeeee Haaaaaaaaaa Attached Thumbnails http://www.thenorfolkbroads.net/forum/uploads/monthly_12_2013/post-578-0-57481300-1387619366.jpg is that your boat john, just that it looks very tidy and everything in place Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MauriceMynah Posted December 21, 2013 Author Share Posted December 21, 2013 Don't you just love it when the opportunity comes along to be a total smart**se. Yes indeed I can say, hand on heart "Yes that is my boat", but then I'd have to add... "but the photo was taken before I owned it" It doesn't look quite like that at the moment Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mowjo Posted December 21, 2013 Share Posted December 21, 2013 Just had another thought John! the steps down into the cabin we added a couple of doors and turned that into storage as well,,, Frank,,, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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