While building out the V-berth, I’ve had to think ahead to electrical, plumbing, and HVAC issues I didn’t flesh out in the original concept drawings. I need to make sure that what I’m building today will work with all of the systems I need to install. The more I think about it, the more it makes sense to install these systems now as I build out the space. I also need to make sure that hatches are in all the right places for access should I ever need to do maintenance or repairs behind the cabinetry. The forward bulkhead and bed foundation upright wall were a big challenge, but I think my solution works and looks pretty good.
Prepping the forward bed foundation upright panel for yet another dry fit
The big circular hole on the left is for the insulated air conditioning duct. I centered the rectangular opening for the cabinet shelf in the panel, but had to “adjust” the right side so the pretty mahogany panel that fits there doesn’t interfere with a structural member on the forward-most bulkhead. The idea here is to make a cabinet shelf for the V-berth bunk where there will be a 120v outlet for a clock, plus 12v and USB outlets. But I want the shelf and its walls to be removable for access to the keel as well as the air conditioning vent connections.
Looking through the rectangular opening as installed
The 1″ x 1″ mahogany cleat on the bulkhead is what the shelf base will rest on.
Rabbets will allow side panels to slide in and out
Something like this
The top and base panels have rabbets that the wall panels slide in
The base panel goes in diagonally…
Then you rotate it and align the rabbets with the sides of the rectangular opening
Next, slide in the 1/4″ mahogany side panel
The panel slid smoothly before I applied a coat of varnish. With one coat it tightened up quite a bit. I’ll need to open up the rabbets just a bit to make space for additional coats of varnish.
Not a bad fit…needs some trimming on the bottom back edge
1/2″ panel on the starboard side where the power outlets will be
Not bad!
After a bit of trimming and the second coat of varnish
I also added a mahogany cleat on the bulkhead that will support the wall panel vertically. You can see the cleat in the pic above.
Zero gaps and a very slight friction fit
I’ll tack a molding around the rectangular opening eventually. To remove the panels, just pop off the moldings and slide out the side and bottom panels.
“Draft proof” electrical box must be removed to pull the wall panel
Final dry fit
30 seconds later, the shelf panels are out
That’s the last of the cabinetry that needs to be dry fitted before it all gets sealed up and installed.
Next up in our 1969 Chris Craft Roamer 46 Refit: Final Prep on the V-berth Bed Foundation Panels
1969chriscraftroamer46 