V-birth conversion

[interlude38233]

I have an over and under (two single bunks) configeration in my
V-birth area. Thinking that there is an easy way to make this a
double. We a looking for atleast one comfortable double birth on
our 382. Suggestions?

 

[budkarins]

Chuck
Would you believe that the V berth on my Morgan 30 was longer than the one on my 38? Well it's true. The CM38 had a set of drawers on eather side and a "bite" space out of the center with a filler. Know what I mean? Well I'm only 5'9" and I couldn't streach out in the 38 V. So I cut out the cabnets and extended the V to a full 6'8" and King size at the aft end (wide part). This gives my sweetheart and I enough room to get "comfortable" and yet have our own space when sleeping.
It seems to me that the bunks could be replaced. You will need to add a support or two at the aft end (wide part) and then lay plywood plank over the whole thing to make the "bed". It may take a long look and a bit of designing and new coushions. Tomorrow I will go look at the 382 next to me and get back to you if I have any further ideas.
Capt. Bob

 

[captrob]

<div>Chuck,The Oconee had an over / under berth that the original owner converted to a V berth. What he did was use the upper berth as a starting point, left the lower berth in place and completed the V berth next to to upper berth. He added a filler and had a nice V berth with great additional storage under or so he thought. The problem is that it is too close to the ceiling. You can not turn over without your head bouncing off the cabin top (at least without pratice), lying in the berth and reading is difficult (too close), and extra cricular activities require inventiveness. I recommend (something that's on my list to do) using as a starting point about 6 to 8 inches lower than the upper berth. This will still give you about 1 foot of storage under and not great but adaquate foot room assumeing your lady is a little shorter than you.Vic C.
</div>

 

[cavale]

Chuck
I've converted my "under and over" to a one level last year. My wife and I just returned from a three week cruise to Martha,s Vineyard and the Islands and we love the bunk. The height of the "over" bunk became the finished level. Any lower and you lose too much of the volume and the foot space forward becomes too small. The drawbacks are that the overhead space is such that it restricts sitting up and a step is required to get into and out of the berth. It certainly is a most comfortable bunk with much more space than the port settee. The amount of additional storage space created is wonderful. The open shelf on the port side must be raised about 4" when the job is done to allow clearence for you toes not to hit. My wife also likes the idea of leaving the bunk made up and just closing the door during the day while we cruise. I like being able to get up early and not have to be too quiet in the main cabin while my wife still sleeps. Alot gets done on those mornings. let me know if I can help you out with any question.

 

[billh7]

Can't help you with v-berth conversion, but here's what we did to make the double berth in the main salon more comfy. This will only work if your 382 doesn't have a fixed table. We widened the port setee 6", bought 4" thick foam for the bottom and the back cushion which converts the setee to a double bed. This makes a bed approxiamtely the same size as a queen size bed. A piece of egg crate foam cut to size smoothes out any gaps between the cushions and makes for a great bed for two.

 

[aurora2]

I would suggest looking at a factory 38-2 up and get ideas and measurements from it. The later 38's had 50 gals of water under. I had placeed two Nauta bladders for 46 gals but have replaced them with 2 13 gal. bladders and a 25 Gal. diesel tank. The fuel is SS. My factory berth is very comfortable but a little hard to enter and exit.