Forecabin practicalities

[Kristal]

Hello all - some opinions required again.

I think I've finally resolved upon a workable plan for the forecabin reshuffle, incorporating double-ish berth (much needed), sea toilet and reasonable stowage. Just a few things I wondered about...

I. I'm taking a rather bold move and shifting a lot of the bulky items away from the cockpit and allowing them some space in the new forecabin - namely fenders and some warps. At the moment, the fenders dwell in the lazarette - we just about squeeze 6 of them in. Under new plans, they would have a dedicated storage bin which could accomodate 8. This should overcome the stressful matter of getting hold of fenders when approaching a berth - at the moment, one has to dislodge the helmsman to open the lazarette, wrestle out the fenders into the cockpit (restricting movement) and then carry them about to lash them on. Under new plans, you would have to remove the forehatch, and reach down to fetch them out.

The same goes for some warps (not all) - dedicated mooring lines would be stored up front, whilst more all-purpose ropes would remain close at hand in the cockpit.

II. The chain locker may have to shift a little left of centreline, in order to facilitate stowage space which needs access from above. Is it acceptable to adjust her ballast accordingly to trim her level again in this case (bearing in mind that anchor chain is of course a moveable mass which will diminish significantly when lying to anchor).

I think I've thought this through properly, so I'm hoping someone can find a flaw or two to convince me.

Thanks in advance, all...

/<

 

[Santana379]

Forecabin and Practicalities are a genuine contradiction in terms in Crystal's case. I haven't actually been in Crystal's forecabin, being too large of girth to get forward of the mast down below. I didn't go in through the hatch, as the day I crewed (23 Nov'03) an entire month's rain fell in one day, and it didn't seem fair to let lots of fresh water in.

I have a personal preference for having warps and fenders to hand in the cockpit lockers/lazarette, but then FF is not blessed with as fine a stern as Crystal. Its particularly useful when sailing short/single handed. In a good many classic boats gear was stored forward, with heads and crew, in the bouncy part of the boat. Certainly on Ragna R, where I first learned cabin boat sailing, that is the case. However it doesn't seem very compatible with a double-ish berth - just as well you're skinny!

It seems a shame to have a 6 fender lazarette and not get rid of the ugly things there?

Francis Fletcher

 

[Kristal]

Well, the plan is to keep the lazarette clutter-free (am concerned about ventilation in there, as we know all about counters and rot) with a few bits in there, with the option to fill it with a few fenders and warps when single handed. The double-ish berth is really a one-and-a-half. I'm saying nothing about the size of those likely to be sharing it with me. Admittedly, it's still going to be a squash...

I've got some rough plans made out in MS Paint, which when I get my website hosting back on track, I'll post here for illustration purposes. I'm sure I'll find plenty of other bits to throw in the lazarette, things that don't completely constipate it!

/<