"Master" Cabin on the 38 - Quarter Berth or V Berth?

[Jim Picerno]

Having now spent several nights sleeping in the Quarter Berth as well as in the V berth, and this includes sleeping solo as well as with my girlfriend, I'm considering the stern Quarter Berth as the "Master" cabin. The Quarter Berth seems both wider and longer than the V Berth, and it's far easier to get into the berth. Agree or disagree?

 

[Loren Beach]

Perhaps having some measurements to compare might help. There is a 38-200, in this thread:

Actual Berth Size (Master Thread)

Early on with our 32-II for extended vacation time cruising, I created a plywood base to fit into (on top of) the knotched out area between port & starboard sides. A foam and then material cover was added to bring it to a matching height of the cushions. My wife then sewed a custom fitted sheet...

ericsonyachts.org

 

[ConchyDug]

Shoot no contest at anchor the Vberth wins, while underway obviously the qtr berth. The Vberth has way more shoulder room and overhead room for two people. I've almost knocked myself out getting in the qtr berth, that corner is solid. I am assuming the berths are the same for a 1980 38 vs the later gen... they did shift stuff around so maybe they are different. I have the version where both can be enclosed by door for privacy but the qtr berth gets minimal air flow like this.

 

[driftless]

For us it's the quarter. I find the coffin-like confines under the cockpit floor to be quite cozy. Mrs driftless gets the side with the headroom. I've mastered the gymnastics of climbing past in the dark. We've got 4 opening ports back there - 3 into the cockpit footwell and one above the hanging locker so it's quite bright and well ventilated.

We also move around depending on the weather. We often make up the saloon table. Most of the time the v-berth is storage when its just us - deflated paddle boards, folding bikes, duffel bags, etc. But we sleep up there occasionally when we want a nice breeze from overhead. If the dinghy is on deck we'll raise it up with the spare halyard as a giant windscoop.

Guests get the v-berth.

 

[bsangs]

Though I have a 35-3, I vote for the Qberth as well. When I'm solo, that's where I sleep. (My wife finds it to be too claustrophobic, so it's the Vberth when together.)

 

[southofvictor]

We sleep aft, with me in the vampire slot like @driftless. Guests get the v-berth.

 

[Christian Williams]

Note that the Vberth of the E38 and E381 is considerably bigger than that of the 38-200.

For either, a step-stool is a good aid in entering and leaving the vberth platform, which is high when the built-in seat is raised to make the bed.