Finding mechanical space in a Bertram 31

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Amberjack
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Finding mechanical space in a Bertram 31

Post by Amberjack »

"Wait a minute, you mean there's space under the drawer mounted under the dinette? Let's put something in it!"

In fact I wound up putting two somethings in it, both of which require periodic maintenance.

Image

Pictured is the domestic water pump and slightly below and off to the side is the T-12 pump. I hit the trifecta this year when both were due for maintenance. The water pump requires a Phillips head screwdriver with a 24" shank to reach two of the mounting screws and the T-12 is, let's face it, just about impossible to replace the valves. But its done for the next three years.
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Re: Finding mechanical space in a Bertram 31

Post by Amberjack »

and BTW those drawer glide shims have been neatened up and epoxied down since this image was taken.
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Re: Finding mechanical space in a Bertram 31

Post by Tony Meola »

Doug

Who's slides did you use? I assume stainless?
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Re: Finding mechanical space in a Bertram 31

Post by Amberjack »

Tony, I think those are Accuride 3832E series drawer glides. Can't specifically remember but I assume they are SS, at any rate they haven't shown any rust after 3 years.

They can be side mounted for a 100 lb drawer capacity or undermounted as mine are for a 35 lb drawer capacity. We didn't have space (its a Bertram 31!!) to do the side mount.
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Re: Finding mechanical space in a Bertram 31

Post by Tony Meola »

An easy and good upgrade. How do you lock them closed so they don't open?
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Re: Finding mechanical space in a Bertram 31

Post by Amberjack »

Tony it was a long decision and we looked all over. I finally wound up installing a 2" Sea Dog Door Button. Simple, unobtrusive and they do the job. That area is tight enough that anything with a high profile would snag clothing or gouge legs.
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Re: Finding mechanical space in a Bertram 31

Post by Tony Meola »

If it works that is great. Nice upgrade.
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Re: Finding mechanical space in a Bertram 31

Post by bob lico »

i have the same idea. under the AFT seat is the complete electrical distribution center with three large isolation diodes and three bank battery switches with six panel distribution main breakers and one main fuse for bilge pumps, all high and dry in air condition cabin. zero electrical glitches in twenty years . under the forward bench in the salon is the battery charges with three isolated breakers for the three battery banks. always keep battery charger and electrical distribution including battery switches out of the engine compartment.
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Re: Finding mechanical space in a Bertram 31

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Re: Finding mechanical space in a Bertram 31

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Tony Meola wrote: Jan 3rd, '22, 21:35 If it works that is great. Nice upgrade.
There isn't enough space between the settee and the galley to get a straight on photo so the photo angle makes the drawer button look a touch offset.

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Re: Finding mechanical space in a Bertram 31

Post by Tony Meola »

Good solution I thought you used the lip latch that has a push button release.
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Re: Finding mechanical space in a Bertram 31

Post by bob lico »

i am not sure i understand why not use the side mount slides that drop down when closed so draw cannot open unless pulled up and out . nice trim on draws i used 5/16" E-pay on all edges for floor boards , draws and cabinets . fantastic wood stronger than aluminum on the floor boards and saddle under doors.
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Re: Finding mechanical space in a Bertram 31

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Re: Finding mechanical space in a Bertram 31

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bob lico wrote: Jan 6th, '22, 11:47 i am not sure i understand why not use the side mount slides that drop down when closed so draw cannot open unless pulled up and out .
Bob I had no idea such a thing existed. Anyway, the job's done and will last my lifetime and it turns out I kind of like the drawer buttons.
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Re: Finding mechanical space in a Bertram 31

Post by bob lico »

neither did i but i was a part time captain of a 50' new style Bertram and checked every little design /built concept of that boat and notice all the draws when put out all the way would not spill and when draw was closed it would not roll out in heavy seas unless you lifted up and pulled so there was a clean finish product..i never knew there was a "grey " holding tank on a boat so i investigated this expensive fishing tournament boat was build for Philips petroleum and was built to dock in Grand Cayman where you can't even dump shower or sink water overboard.
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Re: Finding mechanical space in a Bertram 31

Post by Yannis »

Bob,

I am aware of this lift/drop mechanism, only what I know of is made of wood.
Does it also exist in stainless slides?
Thanks.
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Re: Finding mechanical space in a Bertram 31

Post by Tony Meola »

Yannis

This

https://www.accuride.com/en-us/products ... 64ffa50ae1

Or this

https://www.accuride.com/hardware/Lift? ... cyvehicles

These are over kill, they are made for emergency vehicles but same idea.
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Re: Finding mechanical space in a Bertram 31

Post by Yannis »

Tony, many thanks.

I have the same problem with my drawers, but 70-80 usd for a pair (if it is for a pair and not for a single unit), this means more than 600 for my 8 drawers, a bit too much for me...
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bob lico
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Re: Finding mechanical space in a Bertram 31

Post by bob lico »

that is a pair price however these are really heavy duty like a emergency FD. truck . for a occausional use on a boat you can make a slide on either side of draw in mahogany with a routed slot in a 16" wooden piece 3/4" x 1 1/2" and a notch to the rear top with dowel in draw side so when you push all the way close the dowel lifts into the notch keeping draw closed tight ,to open pull draw handle up and pull. if your not a wood guy they have much less expensive metal at Rockler and other sites for wood cabinet supplies.commomly used on desk draws.
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Re: Finding mechanical space in a Bertram 31

Post by bob lico »

Rockler sells a PAIR of self locking slides for $21.99 for 100 pound rating and 16" slides ,18" is $24.99 for a pair.
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Re: Finding mechanical space in a Bertram 31

Post by Yannis »

Bob, thanks.

The wooden slides are out for me. Too much effort to open and close, noise etc., they also jam when they get old.
I now have those ikea ones that are a dream. They slide open like a flying carpet and close securely with a gentle push, they even have a soft closing mechanism.
The thing is that with bertram weather they open....and sometimes spread everything on the floor!

For the 3 drawers in the galley I solved the problem drastically and effectively with a wooden insert attached on the adjacent fridge. I will post some pics later.
The problem lies on the opposite side where I have 5 drawers for the clothes.
I can’t put a latch of any sort, because there is nowhere to attach it to; the drawers are one on top of the other and obviously a latch on an upper drawer can’t stop the lower one from opening...nor is there anything left or right of the drawer column.
Anyway, I ‘ll have to think of a solution fast, although I found out that if you fill them up completely (as I do), the clothes themselves stop the drawer from opening, thanks to the friction of the clothes with the drawer on top!
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