Saturday, April 18, 2015

Salon Settee Remodel Ideas

On my 1963 35 ft. Pearson Alberg sailboat - the salon consists of two full-length settee on the port and starboard sides, with a center-line folding drop-leaf table in the center, near the forward bulkhead.


This arrangement is convenient for entertaining - and has proven useful for comfortably allowing two adults to sleep stretched out.

However, when living aboard, and needing to use the salon as an office - the cushions and the settee arrangement are not comfortable, and result in back aches and cramps in the leg/thigh muscles.

I want a salon that can function as a mini-office when needed.

Ideally, I would like to have an L-shaped desk space, mounting hardware setup for multiple flat panel monitors, and a comfortable ergonomic chair that can swivel.

This would mean removing the center-line table...which I'm not sure I really want to do (yet)...

 It would also mean cannibalizing some of the storage space that is built into the settee structure - and perhaps some structural reworking of the partial bulkheads.

The Attwood Centric II Seat has an interesting look ($239.99-259.99 overtons.com)




The Tempress Marine NaviStyle High-Back Seat is possibly a viable option ($124.99 gandermountain.com)


As well as the Tempress All-Weather High-Back Folding Seat ($89.99-99.99 gandermountain.com)


There may be some simpler solutions to explore before embarking on a major remodeling project:

Found on Amazon:

 Picnic Time Portable Ventura Reclining Seat
($58.43)

RY-KY Products The COMFTABLE Fully Adjustable Deluxe Air Cushion Seat with Back Support
($42.99)


Monday, April 6, 2015

The Perfect Boat

Bob Bitchin's column last week on cruisingoutpost.com (Vintage Attitude - The Perfect Boat) is one of my favorites of all that he's ever written.

So many variables go into choosing the right boat.

  • The right time
  • The right budget
  • The right person
  • The right season
  • The right purpose


There are a few boats that I would consider The Perfect Boat (for me).


  • 48 ft. Hans Christian (although a nice 3 cabin layout in a 43 ft. would do in a pinch)

  • 55 ft. Tayana (one that I saw at the Strictly Sail in San Francisco years ago - with a custom work shop built into a starboard cabin...complete with a vise mounted into the worktable)

  • That 53 ft. custom dutch steel double-ender that I still keep searching to find again...the vessel's name was "S/V Atlantis"...and I should have bought it when it was on the market)