Planning a future change in the layout below

[Tom Young]

on our boat Christmas. The original layout below decks was drawn in 1958. With racers and crew in mind, it has served amazingly well for a family of four. It will be 3 years before both are in college but I'm looking into improving the boat for a future of mostly two.

Like alot of boats, the Alden Challenger has plenty of tall short seats, the kind you use for dining or studying a chart. And the existing extensions pull out to form deeper seats but close off the passageway.

This CAD drawing is where I've come to at this point. The boat is now a mirror image with settee/pilot on port and starboard. This plan removes the pilot, drawers and joinery(to be stored for the original restoration option) and builds in a deep seat with storage behind and 2 tiers of bookshelves above, on the starboard side. It works well with the fireplace and the curved corners tend to turn the deep seat into two comfortable seat. Still will serve as a good seaberth and can be extended for a spacious berth as well.

A fairly easy project, the extension berth and water tank below stay and the book shelf/lockers behind component can be built in my shop and installed.

I'll be pursuing the design details with other elevations and am looking for feedback and ideas. Sailing is starting to slow down for me(will stay in till Nov), so I look forward to spending more time here, this board is a great asset for ideas. Thanks Tom

[Rachel]

I think that looks pretty nice, Tom. Of course it all depends on how you plan to use the boat, but here's what I like about it:

1) It seems to suit the boat, to me. Nothing too mod or wacky. I think it does a lot with a little, which is nice.

2) My favorite way to sit, down below, is the "long way" on a settee, leaning against the bulkhead with my feet up. With this plan you've got a nice space for that - a bit wider than the original. A second person could either lounge on the same settee, at the other end, or pull out the extension on portside, which doesn't block the aisle.

3) I like that you're keeping a pilot berth. I know many people say it's just a place to toss stuff, but personally, I think that's great. It's nice to have a place to toss stuff that's not "right in the living room," so to speak. Of course they make perfect sea berths, but I also like them for napping at anchor, when you don't really want to go to bed, but just want to get out of the main action of the cabin.

4) On the other hand, taking out the starboard pilot berth means you can add bookshelves etc. behind the new settee (as you've shown), which is nice. And you'll still have two good sea berths and a place for people to sit (portside extension) while underway.

I realize I've probably mostly just reiterated what you've already said/thought, but figured I'd chip in my two cents anyway.

--- Rachel

PS It's nice that you're going to save the original materials, as that boat is a true classic. Yet, I'm glad that won't stop you from changing things to make it fit you better.

[Tim]

I think it makes great sense to modify the interiors on older designs. As you noted, times and actual uses change, and layouts that made sense in the 50s and 60s aren't necessarily ideal for today's uses.

Dual pilot berths and settees are a standard layout on boats of that vintage, but are often wasteful of space for today's coastal cruising, particularly with only two people aboard. Optimizing the layout for two will be fun, and will also make the boat that much more comfortable as time goes on.

That said, I am also in favor of retaining basically traditional interior layouts, as Rachel also mentioned. That doesn't need to be overly limiting, but interior design should be in touch with the classic exteriors of our boats too. Of course what you are proposing is perfectly in line with the boat's design.

Good luck with the planning. I look forward to seeing more as you go along.

[Tom Young]

I appreciate the feedback. It's all part of the design process. As I go further with the idea, I too am concerned about making this new area fit into the scheme and style of this old boat. The more I sail this old boat, the more I appreciate the original desing and workmanship. I want to retain that.

While I began looking at new designs for ideas, I've now found alot of my ideas in older designs. I have quite a few books on older classic boats. Some of the larger old yachts had nice deep seating like this. Some photos have given me ideas on how to make the seat look original. The tufting of the cushsion back for example. I'll be working details of the finish work to fit in the with the 1958 design and the Danish finish work that left it's own style features.


That's my goal, to have it function as an improvement and look like it belongs there.

[Mark.Wilme]

Looks like a nice boat, do you have photos too ?

[Tom Young]

right now. I will post some(I have to put them on my website for posting) when I go further with the design.

Christmas is a 1961 Alden Challenger, Aldens first glass hull and deck.