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
