We were thinking of cutting in two ports in the V berth on our 36.
Has anyone ever seen this done? We use it all the time, but it feels a bit closed in, and poor ventilation.
thanks
Rich
—
Rich
Richard & Joan Bain
PAZZO Hull#1670
1997 Catalina 36 MK11
Bayfield, Ontario
My Day Job Below
www.richardbain.com
www.bineapress.com
Are you talking about in the cabin top or the hull? You would have to very carefully determine where the ports could be located and then identify all your challenges.
In the cabin top, I think the ports would be on a very curved section of the cabin, essentially adjacent to the large top hatch. Would likely be a major problem to get the ports installed there.
I have no idea how difficult it would be for ports in the hull.
Duane Ising - Past Commodore (2011-2012)
s/v Diva Di
1999 Catalina 36 Hull #1777
Std rig; wing keel, M35B, Delta (45#)
Punta Gorda, FL
http://www.sailblogs.com/member/diva-di/
My suspicion is that cutting ports into the hull for more V-berth visibility would probably *not* be a good thing to do.
The pointed end of a boat is the end that takes the full brunt of the load in a seaway, and the little amount of room (what, maybe 18 inches??) that there is between the interior liner shelf and the ultra-important hull/deck joint means that any port would be positioned very near that joint. I imagine cutting an opening would reduce structural integrity, possibly seriously.
Just my opinion.
Larry Brandt
S/V High Flight #2109
Pacific Northwest, PDX-based
2002 C-36 mkII SR/FK M35B
Larry's point is excellent.
If you remain serious about this possibility, you might try contacting the designer, Gerry Douglas, at Catalina. Of course, with litigation being what it is in this country, it would be hard to imagine anyone going 'on the record' for a modication like that without a great reason.
Duane Ising - Past Commodore (2011-2012)
s/v Diva Di
1999 Catalina 36 Hull #1777
Std rig; wing keel, M35B, Delta (45#)
Punta Gorda, FL
http://www.sailblogs.com/member/diva-di/
Thanks for the responses.
I was thinking that the opening would be on the freeboard?
I guess I will table this project.
Rich
Rich
Richard & Joan Bain
PAZZO Hull#1670
1997 Catalina 36 MK11
Bayfield, Ontario
My Day Job Below
www.richardbain.com
www.bineapress.com
Rich, I love that photo in your signature. Must have been the day you bought your new Catalina 36, eh?
Larry Brandt
S/V High Flight #2109
Pacific Northwest, PDX-based
2002 C-36 mkII SR/FK M35B
ahhh.I think it was at a friends daughters wedding. But it could have been when we bought PAZZO!
Rich
Richard & Joan Bain
PAZZO Hull#1670
1997 Catalina 36 MK11
Bayfield, Ontario
My Day Job Below
www.richardbain.com
www.bineapress.com
Rich, have you found out any additional information about adding port lights? I have thought the same thing, that the additional light would be nice but I have not been able to find out much. I may give Catalina a call and ask them.
Gary Johnson
1999 Cat 36 mkii, M35C
Hull # 1755, Fin Keel
Homeport: Long Beach, California
What are the thoughts on installing a deck light/prism
instead of ports? I believe early C30's came with them (or was it C36's?) I was on a boat with a deck prism in the forward cabin and the amount of light that came in was amazing.
Gary and Cathy Price
1997 C36 Mk II Tall Rig/Wing Keel Imagine...
Hull # 1617
Worton Creek, Md.
Northern Chesapeake Bay
Gary,
I added a deck prism in the foredeck on my C30 many years ago, and it worked out well. Easy to cut a hole thru the plywood core, and it brought in lots of light. But then again a C36 MkII might be a lot different from a 1970's C30. Best to call Catalina and ask?
Tom Sokoloski
C36/375IA Past Commodore
Noank, CT
[quote=plaineolde]What are the thoughts on installing a deck light/prism
instead of ports? I believe early C30's came with them (or was it C36's?) I was on a boat with a deck prism in the forward cabin and the amount of light that came in was amazing. [/quote]
The earlier C36s -- such as ours -- were indeed built with 2 light prisms in the forepeak, which helped somewhat because those boats had solid fibreglass hatch in the forepeak and thus no other source of natural light. One of the first modification we made to Que Chevere was the replacement of the solid hatch with an acrylic one - see thread https://www.catalina36.org/forum/general-discussion/experience-cruising-... - and the huge increase in daylight from the hatch rendered the light contribution from prisms essentially nil. Thus, I would imagine that light prisms would add almost nothing to the lighting in Mark II (which already has a clear hatch)
Matthew Chachère
s/v ¡Que Chévere!
(Formerly 1985 C36 MKI #466 tall rig fin keel M25)
2006 Catalina Morgan 440 #30.
Homeported in eastern Long Island, NY
Much like ¡Que Chévere!, Hummina came with an acrylic hatch, which also has a solar fan on it. The fan runs all night. It helps with both light and ventilation.
Hummina
1987 Catalina 36 MKI
#741
Bayfield, WI. Usually.
The C36 Mk I has two deadlights in the centerline of the v-berth roof. Mine (31 years old) are pretty opaque - don't know if they came that way - and don't let much light in ... a tiny bit when the hatch is closed.
- nick
Nick Tonkin
*Former* Website Administrator, C36/375IA
*Former* owner, C36 tr/fk #255, Santa Barbara, CA