Has anyone modified the chain locker to...

[Commander 147]

increase the size of the v-berth in a Commander?

Are there structural problems associated with doing that?

[Tony G]

At one time we were going to do it to 113. Actually got so far as to make a laminated white oak beam for the deck support that was supposed to tie into stringers that ran vertically and horizontally in the v-berth area. The chain anchor rode was to be fed through a hawse(?) pipe into a pit lower and farther back in the v-berth. But I had allready purchsed a water tank that didn't really fit anywhere but there and I read a couple of articles and posts about smelly anchor rode in the bedroom:eek: Thought we'd be more traditional and sleep in the living room:D

[Commander 147]

:D:) Sleeping in the living room huh? :)

That's actually my second option. But my Admirial and I charter boats frequently with another couple from Iowa. Actually we were up your way this summer when we chartered a Catalina 30 in the Apsotle Islands for a week. So I would really like to make the v-berth long enough to sleep in so when we get together with our friends we could actually sleep all 4 of us for a night on the hook.

What I was thinking is that if I removed the existing chain locker bulkhead and on the top half built an enclosed chain locker similar to this P-18 I own and glass in a drain from it to the keel where it currently drains I could add perhaps a foot to the v-berth length and make it much more comfortable to sleep in. I would have to add an access port to the aft end of the chain locker but I can't see why it would not work.

[Tony G]

Great idea and a piece of cake!! When do we start? Iowa is the Baja of Minnesota you know...

[mbd]

An anchor locker is on my "someday" list too! Do it guys, do it!! ;)

Alternatively, you could drain it directly overboard like Frank did on his Ariel...

(And, direct from my "ideas" folder...)

[mbd]

Frank's mod doesn't add space to the v-berth, but does make more storage space available and drains the water overboard...

http://www.pearsonariel.org/discussion/showpost.php?p=9120&postcount=36

http://www.pearsonariel.org/discussion/showpost.php?p=9120&postcount=37

[Commander 147]

First I will probably do this mod but there is currently one small hick-up. I need to find a commander to buy first.;) I'm talking to two seperate owners now but both are a serious distance away and I'm trying to get as much info as I can before I buy airplane tickets to check them out.

Tony G. I may have misled you. I said I charter with a friend from Iowa but I'm not from Iowa I currently live in Florida. It's to bad we don't live closer together I would enjoy having another A/C owner close by.

Mike do you know how Frank drained the anchor locker overboard? My P-18 drains out right at the bow. You can see the PVC coming out of the bow in this picture.

[mbd]

Ditto with Frank's mod, although his is off to the side. I think there was a picture in his gallery thread somewhere.