R-23 seat back removal

[jagizzi]

Yes, I know, a lot of questions about modifications lately, tis the season ;-) And you folks know more than I do so...

We want to accommodate 3 sleepers on our 23. The cave will not even handle my 110# daughter as she can't get on her side due to the limited height under there, just as well as it is great storage. This leaves the table berth as the only option.

In order for that to work I need to gain sleeping access to the space behind the rear seat back as that seat back makes that berth pretty darned short. I am looking for a way for that seatbackremoval to be a simple operation rather than the removal of 6 screws, 3 of which are hard to reach. That would get old real quick if it had to be done daily and needs to be easier to set up.

Has anyone else already done this and if so, how, or, any ideas?

Jim

 

[bergroup]

By removing the cushion in the cave I gained about two inches of "maneuvering" space. There is still enough padding under the cushion to make it comfortable. See if that works for you.

 

[jagizzi]

We had that cushion out at the time and still no one fit.

 

[baz]

Yes, I know, a lot of questions about modifications lately, tis the season ;-) And you folks know more than I do so...

We want to accommodate 3 sleepers on our 23. The cave will not even handle my 110# daughter as she can't get on her side due to the limited height under there, just as well as it is great storage. This leaves the table berth as the only option.

In order for that to work I need to gain sleeping access to the space behind the rear seat back as that seat back makes that berth pretty darned short. I am looking for a way for that seatbackremoval to be a simple operation rather than the removal of 6 screws, 3 of which are hard to reach. That would get old real quick if it had to be done daily and needs to be easier to set up.

Has anyone else already done this and if so, how, or, any ideas?

Jim

How about placing a decent inflatable air mattress on the cabin's centre isle and use that. During sleep time having the head/sink facility midships means no one climbs over 110# daughter at nighttime. Just a thought....

 

[CAPTCRUNCH]

I've taken the corresponding seatback out of my R27 a few times as part of a reupholstering project. I can think of at least two possible ways to do what I think you want; one involving some velcro, the other a pair of loose-pin hinges. However, the bigger hurdle (perhaps literally) for me would be where to put the seatback overnight.

 

[Chimo]

Is the 23 tighter than the 25? I have slept in our cave when visitors have taken the V berth. It’s not what I would call comfortable because of the hips but doable infrequently. My advantage perhaps is that the vertical challenge of 5’ 8” offsets the 190# bulk. I did away with the usual pillows and went with a small inflatable one stuffed right up into the port corner. That gave me a couple more inches. May be worth a try?

 

[CAPTCRUNCH]

I just recalled how the factory mounted three easily-removable seatbacks in my R27: two in the V-berth, the other in the cockpit. I'm thinking of the 2-inch or so holes cut into the plastic behind the cushion so the seatback can hang on brackets made of aluminum strap. I think that would do the job for OP.