Sharing Tips and Ideas

Aragorn · 2004-02-04 07:34:53

I'm sure each of us has found a few things that worked to improve our 27's. I wondered if there is any interest out there in using this forum to share what we've collectively discovered? I thought I'd contribute one idea for starters and see what sort of response it generated , either as add-ons to my idea OR hopefully completely different ideas from others.
THE 27's ICEBOX: Large, even compared to many of today's boats but not as well insulated as today's boxes built with modern, efficient insulating materials.
Suggestions: 1. Give up a very small amount of volume and glue 3/4" or 1" styrofoam insulation to the underside of the interior top of the icebox and the underside of the lid.
2. Cover the lower portion of the forward bulkhead in the port-side locker with styrofoam plus a layer of reflective foil insulating batting up to the level of the top of the icebox ( located on the other side of this bulkhead). Do the same for the outer surfaces of the icebox, inside the battery compartment next to the engine-room.
These measures unobtrusively improve the ice-keeping qualities of the icebox quite a bit without sacrificing much space..
ARAGORN-- Clare Jordan

Last edited by (2004-02-04 07:43:37)

2004-02-06 00:35:55

I was just wondering, how do you get underneath & behind the ice box? I have refridgeration on mine but I would sure like to insulate it and save on power. Your advise would be greatfully appreciated.
Bob Wilson

Aragorn · 2004-02-06 01:16:42

Hi Bob,
I guess you cannot get behind or under the icebox unless you're prepared to take some cabinetry apart and even then , I wonder if there would be any room under or behind the box in which to place more insulation. I did what I could to improve the insulation without taking anything apart. All I can say is that it's better than it was .
Clare Jordan - Aragorn

2004-02-08 11:26:20

One thing I am sure we can all agree on is the lack of storage space on the C&C 27 - I am talking drawers.
To improve our storage (keys, cell phones etc), we cut out a 12 inch wide, 4 inch high drawer in the face plate immediately above the engine access panel. The bracket for the drawer is attached to the table cover and the drawer installs through the front of the solid piece of paneling above the engine compartment. You can put in a drawer of 11 1/2 inches x 10 inches deep (3 1/2 high).
Build a "container type" bracket on the inside (suspended from the counter top) - This stops things from falling out if you get "well over". The new drawer holds cellphones, keys and wallets - great for race night!!
Total cost was about $20 - marine plywood, a 4 x 12 x 3/8 piece of teak some stainless screws some glue and 2 beer (price listed was less the beer).

Aragorn · 2004-02-11 05:02:11

Hi Dave,
Great idea! I hadn't thought of using that space but I will now. Already I'm thinking of an add-on/modification to your idea. How about giving up 3/4" of height in the drawer and adding a pull-out cutting board/counter surface just above the drawer???
I've used other means on Aragorn to provide some extra counter space beside the icebox and some more beside the stove but even more yet would help in meal preparation.
Clare Jordan

davidww1 · 2004-02-11 08:19:31

This drawer is a nice idea, but I think you'd want to be careful how much of that 'faceplate' you carve away. If my experience is any indication, it's a compression strut that keeps the two sides of the galley the right distance apart, not just a support for the engine cover.

I removed my 'faceplate' to lift out the engine, then left it out for the winter while the engine was away. After the engine went back (and this was after the boat had been in the water for over a week, regaining its waterborne shape), I found that the icebox and sink were almost an inch closer together, so replacing the piece involved a bit of levering and fiddling. I also noticed that the corners of the 'faceplate' had dug into the ply on either side, top and bottom, which seems to indicate some racking movement.

As I said, the drawer is a good idea that I'd like to pursue but I'm going to err on the side of small opening/thin drawer if I go ahead. Alternatively, I may pursue the idea of a top-opening bin in the engine cover. That's not nearly as convenient, but the cover has no structural function, so you can pretty much do as you like with it.
David Weatherston
"Towser", Toronto
C&C 27 Mk IV

2004-02-13 09:19:18

Space (or lack of it) seems to be an item of interest so I'll share another idea that utilizes some space to be found behind each of the seat-back cushions on the starboard settee. We cut an access door into these spaces behind each of the three seat-back cushions and hinged the doors to swing down and lay(when fully open) onto the seat cushions. To the back of each door we affixed a divided bin. The three bins are: 1. A bar
2. A pantry
3. A hers/his divided storage bin.

The bar holds 4 bottles and the pantry a number of cans and/or jars and/or containers. The best part of course, is that this new storage space steals no living space from the boat's interior.
The installation is a bit complicated to explain here but if anyone wants to e-mail me at <A href="mailto:bosco@ripnet.com">bosco@ripnet.com</A>, I'll e-mail you a write-up and a sketch.
Clare Jordan - Aragorn
P.S. For Dave on "Towser"-- I built a box (with verical partitions) from teak ply about 14" wide, 6" high and 3" deep and mounted it on top of the engine cover in front of the companionway but far enough aft so as not to be a tripping hazard when entering/leaving the cabin. The box holds my binoculars, sunglasses, GPS, hand bearing compass,sunscreen etc. etc. each in separate compartments;all accesible from the helm.(My boat has tiller steering)

Aragorn · 2004-03-05 03:25:21

Mast Tuning-
I'd love to talk with someone who has figured out the best amount of mast rake, optimum bend, shroud tension etc on a MK 111 .
One idea I've come up with ( and perhaps some of you alredy know it) is to "preserve" the tuning I've tried to perfect over the summer for the following year.
Here in Brockville we store our boats with the masts down so just before pulling the stick, I carefully tape-mark the threads of the 7 turnbuckles on Aragorn before slacking them off to take the mast down (apply a round of tape at the point where each turnbuckle thread exits the turnbuckle barrel.) Next spring, after the mast is up, simply tighten everthing back to the tape marks to start next year with the same tuning you had last year.
Clare Jordan - Aragorn

2004-03-06 00:44:09

I am sure that everyone has had the "clumsy" crewman or young children on board at one time or another, and shuttered when they heard the "clang" of 'stuff' being dropped into the sail lockers, the sound of something metalic hitting the fiberglass (below the waterline) normally put a shiver down my back.
To resolve this, we put in place rubber camping mats (the cheap ones you sleep on). Cut to size, they protect the hull from damage of items being dropped into the sail locker. In addition they tend to damped the sound of the engine somewhat. You can take them out and give them a quick cleaning with little difficulty, which inturn keeps the lockers nice and clean. Total cost $10

C&C 27 Association Forum

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#1 2004-02-04 07:34:53

Sharing Tips and Ideas

#2 2004-02-06 00:35:55

Re: Sharing Tips and Ideas

#3 2004-02-06 01:16:42

Re: Sharing Tips and Ideas

#4 2004-02-08 11:26:20

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#5 2004-02-11 05:02:11

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#6 2004-02-11 08:19:31

Re: Sharing Tips and Ideas

#7 2004-02-13 09:19:18

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#8 2004-03-05 03:25:21

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#9 2004-03-06 00:44:09

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