43 DCMY Aft Cabin Conversion

[gbharrington]

Has anyone had any experience converting the twin berth setup on a 43 to a centerline queen.

 

[Bill Allen]

I think it's been posted before. I look at mine and wouldn't mind it. That said I'd lose some acces to one of my rudders which is already a pita to get at. Plus give up some storage in the aft cabinent. With the fuel tanks under the berth's in the older 43 it really limits what you can do without major surgery. Bill

 

[DCMY #92]

I don't know if this is applicable to your 43, but I reconfigured the twin beds in our 41 to a starboard side queen and a new/larger dresser and bench seat port-side. Photos attached.

The fuel tanks under the twin beds prevent a center-line queen. I guess you could relocated the tanks side-by-side in the center, but that would really be allot of work.

In the photo of the bed the hatch to the lazaret is open. It is actually easier to climb into the lazaret with this configuration than it was climbing over the original center-line dresser.

 

[yachtsmanbill]

Dont forget the advantage of sleeping on a 100 degree bed after cruising all day... still 45 at nite up here! ws

 

[Robby]

Has anyone had any experience converting the twin berth setup on a 43 to a centerline queen.

I would not trade our 43DCMY for split beds at any cost I'de buy a bigger boat.When Bren and I were talking about a 43 we looked at several and although we are getting to the point that somethings are slowing down I want to hold her all night long and she feels the same.The bed in the master is quite high .If you have never seen one Bren and the Small dog need a step abid a small one to get into the bed.Radar weighs only 8.5 and is quit agile but still needs the step to snuggle up on top of the covers .Is it worth it?To us it is.I dont know if its factory or knot but it sure looks like it-----Robby

 

[sgharford]

Dont forget the advantage of sleeping on a 100 degree bed after cruising all day... still 45 at nite up here! ws

Add fuel coolers on the return lines, it helps! I personally like the split beds on our 43DC, my wife smells after a day on the water. Portable baby cribs fit with room to spare between bunks too. Natural Family Planning at its finest.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

I would not trade our 43DCMY for split beds at any cost I'de buy a bigger boat.When Bren and I were talking about a 43 we looked at several and although we are getting to the point that somethings are slowing down I want to hold her all night long and she feels the same.The bed in the master is quite high .If you have never seen one Bren and the Small dog need a step abid a small one to get into the bed.Radar weighs only 8.5 and is quit agile but still needs the step to snuggle up on top of the covers .Is it worth it?To us it is.I dont know if its factory or knot but it sure looks like it-----Robby

It's not factory. They didn't offer a queen berth in the 43DC until around 1979 or 80.

 

[DCMY #92]

I've got fuel coolers and never noticed an heat issue with sleeping over the tanks. I did drill 5/8" holes all over the plywood under the V-berth and master mattresses and put a layer of "hogs hair" A/C filter material under the mattresses. No more mildew under the mattresses.

 

[Robby]

It's not factory. They didn't offer a queen berth in the 43DC until around 1979 or 80.

Thanks Sky---

 

[yachtsmanbill]

I would not trade our 43DCMY for split beds at any cost I'de buy a bigger boat.When Bren and I were talking about a 43 we looked at several and although we are getting to the point that somethings are slowing down I want to hold her all night long and she feels the same...

If yer slowin' down, ya better check yer filters and get yer props and bottom cleaned. ;-)) ws

 

[gbharrington]

I have considered the starboard berth extension, and in the face of $3500 for new fuel tanks, not to mention the effort required to remove the exiting ones, it seems like a reasonable option. The exisitng tanks are too long and too wide to use without serious and probably doubtful modification. Both would require shortening and one (or both) would have to be narrowed. I suspect it would prove to be a nightmare, but I'm still making inquiries. On the factory version they used one large tank.