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 Thought we'd be more traditional and sleep in the living room

[Commander 147]

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/discussi...0&postcount=36

http://www.pearsonariel.org/discussi...0&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.