Catalina 34

General Activities => Main Message Board => Topic started by: sailr4 on October 05, 2014, 12:18:37 PM

Title: securing v berth filler
Post by: sailr4 on October 05, 2014, 12:18:37 PM
Has anyone done anything to keep the filler section of the v-berth from falling down? My kids like to climb up there so I keep the filler section on the lower level. It keeps falling off after the second kid (3yo twins) climb up. I'm afraid it may do the same in the upper level.
Title: Re: securing v berth filler
Post by: Jim Hardesty on October 05, 2014, 12:48:24 PM
I have a MKll so don't know if my fix will work.  I added an extra 1 inch to the board on the bottom of the filler ie. made it higher.  After doing that haven't had any problem with the filler comming out.
Jim
Title: Re: securing v berth filler
Post by: Stu Jackson on October 05, 2014, 01:01:21 PM
Yes, solutions include:

velcro

metal hook & loop

screwing and/or gluing wood stops at the ends
Title: Re: securing v berth filler
Post by: mregan on October 05, 2014, 02:00:50 PM
I used velcro.  Hasn't fallen out yet.
Title: Re: securing v berth filler
Post by: Ron Hill on October 05, 2014, 02:22:56 PM
Guys : If kids are going to be using it as a step - I'd only use a metal hook.

A thought
Title: Re: securing v berth filler
Post by: Noah on October 05, 2014, 06:02:42 PM
My insert has cushion permanently attched onto a board. Last week, I installed two sliding barrel bolts latches to the underside of the insert--one each port and starboard. I threw away the receiver part of the latch. After attaching the slide bolt to underside of insert, I drilled four 1/4 in. holes (one each side for upper and lower positon) to accept slide bolt. The top holes were into teak rail and lower hole into gel coat. It seems to work well, so far.
Title: Re: securing v berth filler
Post by: sailr4 on October 05, 2014, 07:08:06 PM
Thanks for the ideas. Velcro was my suggested but barrel bolts or hooks also sound good. My daughters' heads thank you.
Title: Re: securing v berth filler
Post by: dfloeter on October 05, 2014, 07:29:05 PM
After hitting the floor twice with the insert dropping out I fixed it for good. Our Mark 2 insert also has the cushion attached and rested on a pair of small teak supports with another piece of teak at the front of the insert that locks in front of the side supports.  I replaced the small supports with beefier ones about 2" square and an inch or so longer.  The insert has not fallen since and my toes may never again be forcefully jammed under the door with my full body weight.  I had said ouch.   
Title: Re: securing v berth filler
Post by: Andrew Harvey on October 06, 2014, 07:45:28 AM
Never had a problem with velcro
Title: Re: securing v berth filler
Post by: Dave Spencer on October 06, 2014, 09:28:27 AM
I did exactly what Noah did. Barrel latches fastened to the underside of the insert pinned to the supporting rail.  Very secure but easy to remove if necessary.