This bulletin board, hosted by the CDSOA, Inc., is the on-line meeting place for all Cape Dory owners and groups. We welcome everyone's questions, answers and comments about Cape Dory sailboat
I have lived alone aboard my CD 27 for almost 2 years and want to make a needed improvement but have stalled out due to fear of screwing up the strength of my boat.
I want to remove the stove shelf and the port back cabinet, and install a gimbaled propane stove/oven over the center of the existing bunk area, and install a second water tank and storage cabinet/counter top in the area where the existing alcohol stove/shelf unit is. The PO turned the port side under bunk water tank into a black water tank (*%*^&&%$&^!!!!). Will I create structural problems by removing the teak cabinet (sofa back), and shelf?
I doubt you would create a structural issue, you wont be removing a bulkhead or anything. It would probably be a nice setup for a liveaboard 27, its not an uncommon arrangement on smaller boats to have only one setee or a dinette on one side and galley taking up the entire other side. And despite duncans suggestion, I think you would actually be increasing your storage space, assuming you would be making the rest of the setee not taken up by the stove into a counter (with storage under it). Putting a water tank where the origonal stove was (I assume starboard) will probably help alleviate and list issues you create by putting a heavy stove/oven to port.
Russell
s/v (yet to be named) Tayana 42CC
s/v Lady Pauline Cape Dory 36 #117 (for sale)
In my opinion, the stove shelf is not structurally vital to the overall strength of your boat. The bulkheads provide the majority of the stiffness to the hull. The seat-back and shelf as well are not a major structural section but do tie in (screws) to both major bulkheads on the boat. Removing them should not pose a major structural problem. The real problem is the additional weight of your proposed modifications. You would be shifting the weight distribution in the boat with the additional tank and stove/oven. I would take this into consideration and make adjustments as necessary. I have seen some owners make modifications with the same removal of the pieces you are inquiring about. The port side under bunk tank is the holding tank for the head as originally installed by the factory. Some owners have removed this and located the tank elsewhere or have installed a porta-potti.
I lost the unneeded port settee a year ago. I have a microwave under the stove shelf, a 1 cubic ft. refrig sitting on the seat, and a large plastic tub holding food supplies at the foreward bulkhead end. I am open to ideas on how to add a water tank, a food storage/gear storage cabinet, and a stove/oven (I love sourdough bread). Anyone have ideas/pictures on redoing the port side to make it useful?
This link is from an owner who rebuilt the galley area on a CD27. Check the "Project Photo's" area for a more detailed description of his work. Scroll down the page for the post.
Good comments, but suggests an even bigger project to make the current icebox and sink area into a water tank and storage area, and move the icebox and sink to the port side. I remember a Morgan 28 with the entire port side as a galley cabnet with everything built in.
I am considering pulling out the head so I can install a mast post and add a spot for a bicycle. BTW - I sleep on the starboard settee and the V-berth belongs to the cat and storage.
Being an old audio video media creator and adult educator type, I wish people would take a lot more pictures! We never realize how much others will value all those, "wasteful" shots of "obvious" intermediate work steps and notes on plannig issues.
The link posted by Ray Garcia is real interesting, if only for a look at what's underneath. The current Woodenboat has a piece on a fellow who has been living on a 27' plywood cutter for ten years. He's done everything on the cheap, and nicely.
by removing the teak cabinet (sofa back), and shelf?
