Building Out the Vberth


About a year ago the First Mate and I were looking at pictures of other Morgan Out Island sailboats when we came across some pictures of vberths that were configured in the over/under configuration. We had seen this before, but this time the First Mate made the comment that we should try redoing our vberth so that we could have the extra storage under the raised side of the berth. She asked me if I thought it were possible on our boat, and I responded that of course it would be.

The frame

So now the work begins. We’ve just about completed the framing in of the project and have bought the marine plywood that will serve as the top, where the mattress will go. We will be using a good quality outdoor paint on all surfaces, just to be sure that any water that come in won’t find its way into any of the wood. Our vberth has always been really dry, but we don’t want to take any chances.

As we work I will post updates here, as well as videos of the project.


About Captain Tom

Over 10 years sailing and over 3500 miles under our keel. Was an engineer (EE) for over 30 years, then after moving into management, decided that the corporate world was no longer for me. Ran my wife's law office for 15 years and recently retired. Now we live aboard and sail the California coast, soon to leave for the Sea of Cortez.