forepeak access

[JeffM]

I'm beginning to have second thoughts about my plan to put a store-bought hatch in the foredeck to get into the forepeak. The more I look at that oddly-shaped deep locker, the more difficult it seems to use. Perched on the foredeck, it would be difficult to reach the bottom. Also, the size of my hatches would make it impossible to get bodily into it for maintenance. What about making a simple cutout in the foreward bulkhead? In the interest of getting into it, I'd want to make it as wide and tall as would be safe. How narrow would it have to be to stay safely out of the water in a capsize? How tall could I get away with without weakening the deck support in the center? I seem to recall news of someone doing something similar in their CS, but I can't remember who.

[Kidd]

I am planning on doing somethingsimilar for the aft bulkhead on my CS17. I also thve the same concerns. Given that you have the deck beam across the top of each bulkhead is the deck support even an issue?

[Designer]

I prefer the layout as drawn. With the deck overhanging the seat it would be very difficult to access the forepeak through the bulkhead. Even with the deck overhang removed it would be hard to access all of the forepeak. I really like the deck overhang, we used that shelter all of the time during the Great Race and the EC and it reduces the size of the dodger. We used the port side as our nav station, next year I am going to have it rigged with a chart light and stowage for pencils, eraser, dividers, protractor etc. all up under the deck.

I accessed the forepeak a number of times during the EC without any difficulty. When Bill built the boat he made one really good addition, he made a floor out of 1/4" ply which is split down the centerline, level with the mast step back to the bulkhead. It gives a large area for stowage that is not too deep and with a finger hole near the centerline you can pick it up and lay it against the hull as if it was hinged when you need to get underneath, it will even come out the hatch. The only addition to make is a pair of small cleats under the aft end of the mast step and one across the bulkhead positioned to make the floor level.

The only modification I have yet to make is to cut my starboard floorboard to fit around my oar tubes.

The picture shows one side in place.

[JeffM]

Okay. Guess I'll leave it alone. Don't want to mess with anything Graham doesn't approve of. Thanks, Graham!