posted July 12, 2002 11:34 AM            

I just finished making two wooden inserts to enlarge the Sandpiper's forward berths into a real double berth. The two 3/4" plywood boards bridge the semi-triangular area in front of the centre board trunk. Chocks on the left and right undersides (actually U-shaped plastic drawer handles) keep the boards in place.
We had the existing 28 year-old cushions re-stuffed with new foam and a new cushion was made to cover the middle of the new berth..........Velcro'ed screens to keep the mosquitoes at bay.......a small hatch tent over the forhatch to keep the dew and rain away....allows lots of fresh air through the forehatch for peaceful sleeping.

For better air flow and to prevent mildew inside the boat we have a white plastic (screened) louvered vent on the upper companionway batten....and a passive mushroom air vent cowling on the coachroof...just starboard of the mast step.

We've also invented a Sandpiper moonroof!!!!
Clear heavy vinyl...actually jib sail window material available from any sailmaker, is snap-domed to the after edge of the sliding hatch cover. A bungee is stretched from each side of the cabin..just where the top batten would be....and then the hatch can remain open with the vinyl stretched across the top of the companionway and hatch. Rain and dew stays on the outside of the boat.
We can see the night sky while in bed!!!

Do you sleep with your head forward or your feet forward?

If we are only 2 aboard, I prefer to sleep with my head forward.

I considered installing a screw-out inspection port through the forward bulkhead into the anchor locker. The anchor locker would act like some sort of giant dorade box because it already has a drain through the bow. However, the anchor well is also a very good location to store a propane bottle for the camp stove. Breaching the bulkhead would mean that a leaking bottle could fill the hull with propane . . .

posted October 01, 2002 02:14 PM            

Best....Ken