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interior conversion

Discussion in 'Bertram Yacht' started by Retired Gunny, May 30, 2026.

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  1. Retired Gunny

    Retired Gunny New Member

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    Location:
    Mississippi
    So, i have a '73 46.6 sportfish. She's a good boat but well past her prime fishing days unless she gets a refit and repower.
    I'm currently living aboard and that was my intent from the start.
    I'm wondering if anyone has converted theirs from the standard cabin, v-berth and second head design into a single stateroom and expanded head design.
    The idea would be to install a full shower or shower/tub and expand closet space.
    Are any of the interior walls load bearing. It doesn't appear so.
    LenR likes this.
  2. ranger58sb

    ranger58sb Senior member

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    Chesapeake Bay, USA
    Dunno anything about your boat, but the head and shower in our previous boat were separate compartments, and we liked that arrangement. If you're starting with two "multi-function" (?) heads, maybe redefining them wouldn't be too difficult, and would give you more space in each...

    -Chris
  3. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    You do NOT want a tub, just think of all the water it takes to fill it and how that will effect list when it is full, plus nobody ever uses them. You could make the 2nd head into a large shower only. But it's really nice to have 2 toilets on a liveaboard in case 1 doesn't work.
  4. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    No, No tub.
    Get a cattle feed water tub and put it on the dock if you need a red-neck hot tub.

    On our past 34, we had a wet head/shower. I called it my vertical bidet.
    All was good. Exhaust fan out, A/C inlet in.

    On our present 58, still have a similar wet head forward but rarely used unless I had to many hot peppers the earlier evening.

    If you have the real-estate, a real nice shower in a wet-head config. Good place to sit while scrubbing your toes and a back-up head.
    Then a nice master head.

    Sharp & fresh chain saw helps. ☺☺
  5. K1W1

    K1W1 Senior Member

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    Prefer the Recip Saw myself. Did a 95M interior rip out with them and there were no chainsaws involved
  6. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    But chain saws are more fun.
    Make a lot of noise and smoke.

    Brother, Are you loosing your sense of adventure?
    Already major blood loss?

    Rip er up !!
    Most fingers can be super-glued back on..
    LenR likes this.
  7. LenR

    LenR New Member

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    Jan 13, 2026
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    Location:
    Long Island
    Hey Gunny, Have you figured where to put a W/D? I have a 72 46.6 and want to travel with her
  8. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Something I'm just remembering; On mine and another Bertram's interior mods, the bulkhead (separating wall) tops were not fastened to the overhead.
    The bottoms were a part of the deck, most side edges were tab's to the hull, but anything above the gunnel fitted into overhead slots.
    Once the shoe box top (cap deck) was lowered with headliner, lights and wires already installed, all else fit into place like Lincoln Logs.
    Retired Gunny likes this.
  9. Retired Gunny

    Retired Gunny New Member

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    I've looked at it but the only way I can think is to eliminate the second head. An apartment sized stack or one of the new dual purpose machines. The only problem i see with the dual purpose machine is that at 125v the damn thing will take forever to dry a load.
    LenR likes this.
  10. Retired Gunny

    Retired Gunny New Member

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    Location:
    Mississippi
    Yeah, the second head is a wet type and my first thought was to turn it into a shower only.
    The whole point may be moot because having a fiance living with me has changed the entire dynamic. It looks like I'll be giving up the boat life.