BoatersDivingGuide
Chicory's Port Side Forward Cabin Refit
This picture shows how the port side forward cabin looked prior to our refit. The existing bed was too small for a couple to sleep comfortably so we decided to convert the space to two twin high-bunks with storage underneath for both personal belongings and mechanicals.
The bed base concealed a 70 gallon water tank (standing upright in left of photo) and a 16,000 BTU air conditioning unit. The water tank had a pin-hole leak and needed to be replaced.
We discovered a "dead-space" in the floor and decided to use it to expand our water tank capacity.
All built-in furniture was removed along with updating the electrical and plumbing.
The "dead-space" found in the floor could fit a 20 gallon tank almost perfectly.
The new 20 gallon water tank was plumbed in place and a new sub-floor was laid.
The plan was to have the 20 gallon tank under two stacked 50 gallon tanks making a total of 120 gallons. We removed leaking 30 and 70 gallon stainless steel tanks, so these three new plastic tanks would replace that volume.
We wanted to ensure the water tanks did not move regardless of how violently the boat was pitching; therefore, we through-bolted the entire assembly to the cabin bulkhead with 21, 3/8 inch threaded rods.
Each row of threaded rods were the foundation for 3/4 inch plywood, which supported the tank bottom.
The top of the tank also received the threaded rods to "clamp" the tanks in place.
The threaded rods were backed with perforated strapping on the master stateroom wall.
The forward cabin side of the tank enclosure also received the perforated strapping reenforcement.
Once the tanks were in place, the frame for the bunk and the shelf to support the mechanicals were added.
This image shows the new 20 gallon water heater, the new 16,500 BTU air conditioning unit, along with the chargers for the bow thruster battery bank, the windlass battery bank and the bow thruster controller.
Once the frame was built and all the mechanicals installed, the structure was wrapped in teak. This is the rough-fitting of some of the finish components.
This is the build-out of the desk. The left side of the desk has a viewing port to see the level of water in the tanks.
This picture shows the detail of the desk which has a large fold-up leaf and space to accommodate a 27 inch iMac.
Here is the finished bunk and desk with one coat of polyurethane applied.
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