Almost like a hungry man looking thoughtfully at a chicken, I am beginning to think that the passageway doors on my boat are worth more as lumber than as furniture.
For those not familiar, the "head" compartment on the E29 Mk I is formed by closing two doors between the salon and the V-berth. In a way, it's a pretty efficient use of space. When the doors are open, the toilet and wash basin are hidden behind the main door. But the V-berth insert cannot be used because the forward bi-fold door sticks into its space. To exit the V-berth in the night, one must first pry up the insert (if used) to open the door.
I've had that forward bi-fold door on the boat and off again a few times. I suppose it was deemed necessary because if a crew got up to use the head in the middle of the night, he would be doing his thing about twelve inches from the captain's pillow. But that doesn't always work because the outer door has to be closed first - the Captain would have to sleep with the bi-fold open, and without the insert, anyway. I last put it back on because I added a shower, and the doors seemed like a good idea to contain it. But a thin curtain would do the job as well and be out of the way the rest of the time. And I'm not so sure about the other door either, despite the little brass plaque that labels the forward cabin the domain of the "Captain." Due to swelling of the wood, it doesn't close in the winter time anyway.
These doors are handsome bits of woodworking. Inch-thick solid mahogany stiles and rails framing plywood panels. And heavy. In the unlikely event that another Ericson owner wants them please speak up now. But I can't help thinking that the wood could be re-used in upcoming cabinetry projects. Just that much raw mahogany would cost around $200 at Home Depot prices. I brought the bi-fold back to the shop tonight... its days may be numbered.
Dunno... funky 70's bead curtains, maybe?
For those not familiar, the "head" compartment on the E29 Mk I is formed by closing two doors between the salon and the V-berth. In a way, it's a pretty efficient use of space. When the doors are open, the toilet and wash basin are hidden behind the main door. But the V-berth insert cannot be used because the forward bi-fold door sticks into its space. To exit the V-berth in the night, one must first pry up the insert (if used) to open the door.
I've had that forward bi-fold door on the boat and off again a few times. I suppose it was deemed necessary because if a crew got up to use the head in the middle of the night, he would be doing his thing about twelve inches from the captain's pillow. But that doesn't always work because the outer door has to be closed first - the Captain would have to sleep with the bi-fold open, and without the insert, anyway. I last put it back on because I added a shower, and the doors seemed like a good idea to contain it. But a thin curtain would do the job as well and be out of the way the rest of the time. And I'm not so sure about the other door either, despite the little brass plaque that labels the forward cabin the domain of the "Captain." Due to swelling of the wood, it doesn't close in the winter time anyway.
These doors are handsome bits of woodworking. Inch-thick solid mahogany stiles and rails framing plywood panels. And heavy. In the unlikely event that another Ericson owner wants them please speak up now. But I can't help thinking that the wood could be re-used in upcoming cabinetry projects. Just that much raw mahogany would cost around $200 at Home Depot prices. I brought the bi-fold back to the shop tonight... its days may be numbered.
Dunno... funky 70's bead curtains, maybe?
