SJ23 Tech Tip C04, (Updated 2024-04-12) Bob Schimmel | |
Forward Cabin Layout, Panache. INDEX - Box Cushions, Backrests, Speakers & Pole Storage. |
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Box Cushions for the Cabin (2000) - I replaced Panache's
aging factory settee cushions with 3" thick medium density urethane foam. The support the new cushions provide leaves
enough ceiling height for a 5'10" tall person to sit against the bulkhead and with adequate support
for sleeping without bottoming out (170 lbs). See
Tech Tip C08 for dimensions.
All foam and covers were replaced at the same time.
The top and front of Panache's cushions are covered with Olefin, a high quality, tough 70s fabric that almost never wears out. The bottom, back and ends of the cushions are covered with a high density water proof vinyl fabric. I chose vinyl for the bottom so the foam couldn't wick up water. This way the cushions stay and I don't find my bum wet in the middle of the night. Been there, done that, don't need to do it again. This has been a wise decision on more than one occasion! I usually flip them over for meal time to protect the fabric from a spill. Wiping up a spill on vinyl is easy. There is a #4 vinyl zipper around the back for removing the cover. Split the Cushion (2024) - My original design called for two cushions on the starboard settee so I could just slide stuff across to the other cushion to access the storage below. Short cushions are also easy to pack away in the cabin for winter storage. Unfortunately I ran short of Olefin, the top material, so was forced to make a long single cushion for the starboard settee. On the flip side (no pun intended), the long cushion looks good and is comfortable to sleep on, hence my quandary in splitting this ~25 year old cushion. But I'm really fed up with having to move stuff off the settee. I now own a heavy duty Sailrite LSZ sewing machine, so here goes nothing!
Helpful Videos - Watch one of these videos. You might get more out of them than reading my description. Starboard settee cushion split at the 2/3 point and still comfortable to sleep on.
Backrests (2000)
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The original factory backrests that covered each opening were made
of 1/2" plywood covered with foam and fabric, stapled a
zillion times at the back. Just like the cushions, they looked very 1970'ish, so
they had to go! There was also a fiddle along the edge of the shelf
to keep the stuff there when the boat heeled. It was too low to be useful, so it had to go as well. Construction - The back rest door hinges are positioned at the bottom, level with the tops of the cushions. Positioned as such an open door can flip down flat on the cushion. I used stainless steel hinges, veneer for the edges and teak finger pulls in the holes to prevent splinters. The finger pulls were expensive but they improved the appearance so much that it was worth it. They also provide a bit of ventilation. All the teak is coated with hand rubbed satin tung oil for a very durable, washable finish. Now I have a smooth wall to sleep against and a slightly wider berth to lie on. With my 5' 10" height I don't have quite enough headroom for sitting against the backrest. So I slump a bit with a cushion behind my back. This works OK for a while but I find it much more comfortable to sit upright against the bulkhead with my legs extended along the settee. Perfect with a reading light under the overhang of the ceiling and arms length to the table for my coffee. The cushions are also handy for those guests who are inclined to spend a little longer drinking their grog on a rainy day. EVERY BOAT has its compromises! TOP
Speaker Enclosures (1995)
- A
peek at the photo above reveals a speaker
installed in the top of the bulkhead. This was done by one of the
previous owners. While I would never
recommend cutting a 5" diameter hole into a load-bearing bulkhead, the plywood
has shown no sign of fatigue. I'm sure this has a lot to do with the fact that I
smoothed the inside of the hole round to distribute the forces uniformly and saturated
the wood with epoxy to strengthen it. Construction - Here is my original pencil sketch for building the speaker enclosures. Please verify the measurements for your installation. I used 3/8" thick solid oak to build the enclosures and Minwax cherry stain to match the teak. TOP Sleeping Bag Storage - I store a light polyester sleeping bag on the forward side of each bulkhead, one with a pillow in an old sail bag. They are loosely stuffed in their bag to preserve the loft and stay bone dry to be warm at night.
Whisker & Mooring Pole Storage (1998) - Most pocket cruisers lack proper storage for whisker, spinnaker or mooring poles. They are always in the way. Another compromise? The design on the right has served me well since I installed it. No more stubbing my toes on deck! Moreover, my son always knows where to find the mooring pole, which is usually his job. The poles have never come off their hooks, regardless of how rough the water is and they never make noise. They also double as a handy clothes-drying rack! Construction - To mount the hooks I installed a (1x2)" piece of teak with the top end wedged behind the roof liner and the bottom end wedged behind the teak fiddle on the ledge. The back is shaped to match the curvature of the hull. The teak is fastened with stainless screws at the top through the hull liner and at the bottom through the teak fiddle. The J hooks that hold the poles are made from 1" wide stainless steel strapping that I bent into a 1700 curve with a 1.5" inside diameter. They are fastened to the teak straps with two screws to prevent turning. I applied vinyl electrical tape on the inside of each J hook to protect the pole from scratching. Leave sufficient space between the upper and lower J hooks to conveniently remove the lower pole. I suppose you could add a third set of hooks for a fishing rod but I thought this would make access to the narrow shelf difficult. There is nothing wrong with installing a fishing rod holder on the port side though!
This is a pretty clever way to store a telescopic mooring pole. Right where you need it most of the time. Yup that is Panache in the background and yes you can still learn something from another boat. TOP
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