R 22

Rhodes 22

 

V-Berth

In 1998, I just simply purchased a replacement set of cabin cushions from GBI. Mine were the original 1976 cushions. Actually, the fabric on the original cabin cushions was in remarkably good shape, just a very dated pattern. Several factors drove the decision to replace vs. recover. My two sons were getting too tall for the V-berth. I wanted to install the V-berth extension, which of course, comes with a new cushion. The original foam was starting break down inside the cushions. Finally, Stan's prices for a new cushion set were very competitive. If you ask, Stan or Rose will send free samples of the currently available fabrics for the cabin cushions. A new set of cabin cushions + the V-berth extension was MUCH cheaper than a bigger boat!

Sunbrella acrylic fabric would not be a very good choice as it does not have a very good "hand". "Hand" is the term fabric experts use to describe the feel of a textile on the skin. Sunbrella is also not very abrasion or chafe resistant. I would suggest a dense weave nylon, polyester, or nylon/polyester blend with a low nap pattern. Rose also let me speak directly to their cushion subcontractor. The cushion subcontractor & I was able to discuss which of the currently available fabric choices would be long wearing & color fast. You might also consider supplying your own fabric if you intend doing something very special.

Roger Pihlaja
S/V Dynamic Equilibrium
02 Mar 2002


I noticed you talked about a Vee Berth extension. Since your boat and mine have the porta potti, I'm sure that it would work for me too.

What actually does it consist of? Is it a permanent addition or just a temporary add-on for the length of a passage?

I checked the GB site, but found no mention. What does it cost? Would you find it worthwhile if you only had a lady as your crew?

Thanks for your time in answering this,

Dick
03 Mar 2002


For an older Rhodes 22, the V-berth extension consists of a piece of teak finished plywood & the matching cushion to fill in the space between the aft end of the V-berth & the bulkhead. In use, you put the plywood piece in place & the cushion on top. It allows the starboard V-berth sleeper to slide aft about 24". This in turns frees up the feet area up in the bow for the port side V-berth sleeper. It makes the V-berth capable of sleeping two full size adults. Underway, we remove the V-berth extension + cushion & stow them up in the V-berth area in order to have ready access to the head.

In September, 1998; Stan charged me $75 for the pair of pieces/parts. I had to fabricate & install a pair of supports to hold up the plywood piece. I made my supports from two pieces of 5/4" X 2" X 24" clear white oak. I stained them honey teak, finished with satin polyurethane varnish, & thru-bolted each support to the bulkhead in three places with 1/4-20UNC flat heat machine screws. The flat head machine screws are countersunk to be flush with the surface. On the galley side of the bulkhead, I used 1/4-20UNC barrel nuts to avoid exposed hex head nuts. The white oak grain pattern is slightly different than teak, but the color is a very close match. I used white oak because it's a much denser wood than teak & much stronger in this heavily shear loaded support application. You want the plywood V-berth extension piece to just drop into place, yet be captured so it cannot ever drop out.

My porta potti is set-up for deck pump-out. This involves a piece of 1-1/2" OD hose running up the wall on the starboard side of the head area. The standard V-berth extension was not designed to accomodate this hose. I had to modify the standard plywood piece & the cushion with a 2" wide X 5" long slot in the outboard side in order to allow the hose to pass. Sigh, nothing is ever simple when it goes in a boat, is it?

My sons used the standard V-berth without any problems until they were 15 years old & 12 years old respectively. During our cruise to Garden Island in the summer of 1998, they complained the V-berth was getting pretty cramped. I've slept up there by myself with no problems. I haven't slept up there since installing the V-berth extension. However, my sons report it works well for them & they are both over 6' tall now. Personally, I prefer sleeping on the port side settee double berth in the main cabin because the motion of the boat is much less amidships, the main cabin has standing headroom with the pop top raised, & the main cabin ventillates better than the V-berth area. But, with the V-berth extension, you & your lady friend might very well prefer the V-berth.

Roger Pihlaja
S/V Dynamic Equilibrium
03 Mar 2002


Last summer when we were on Slim's boat he had some pockets that went along the side of the v-berth for stowing things. I was wondering whether anyone else had come up with creative ways to organize storage spaces in the v-berth or elsewhere in the boat.

Thanks,
Julie Thorndycraft
08 Mar 2003


There are also some "string hammocks" that you can get at most boat stores that can be strung up along the peg board and used for storage.

Bob on the "NoKaOi"
08 Mar 2003


Good memory for detail. Those pockets came with the boat and I always assumed they came stock with the original but I'm not really sure. They are attached to a narrow strip of peg board that runs along the sides of the V berth.

Slim
08 mar 2003


I have done a couple of things that have worked out well for us.

I removed the rode tray and replaced it with a piece of plywood with a hole so a 5 gal bucket will fit into it. A couple of 3/4" x 3/4" stips keep it in place. With the added depth the rode lays up very well with out tangling. I tied a 3" ring at the bitter end so it will not go through the vent opening before it goes topside. I had visions of it going overboard before I get tied it off.

For added privacy to change clothes or use the head I sewed a panel from a shower curtain to be snapped partially around the poptop opening. I removed the screws and finish washers form the metal trim and replaced them with 3/8" snaps and screws. The curtain goes from the first screw on the port side around the front to just before the counter. That works well amd it stores easily. The shower curtain even has a nautical theme, blue with anchors.

Rod Ellner
Toy Blew 1987
09 Mar 2003

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