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One of the design changes I plan to implement during our Narai build is to create four separate, enclosed cabins. One of the features of the design is that the hulls are symmetrical fore and aft from the centerline. This makes modifications much easier than on a Tiki design.

If you have ever seen a picture of the Narai, it has bunks that extend into the main part of the hull from both ends. These parts of the bunks are dual purpose, serving as seats when not being used as bunks. Just one more thing I don't like. Wharram also calls these double bunks, with a maximum width of about 3' 6" (106cm), barely more than an American single bed. THEY ARE NOT DOUBLE BUNKS!!

One of the very nice features of the Tiki 38 are the generous forward cabins. The single bunk is comfortable, and there is small space to stand (if you are 5'6" (167cm) or less) in front of the bunk for dressing and undressing. The Narai MKIV has the ability to accommodate up to four of these types of cabins total with one each fore and aft per hull. This necessitates opening bulkheads one and four, and closing bulkheads 2 and 3. Doing this isolates the central hull area (similar to a Tiki 38.) I would also create crash bulkheads where only reinforcement framing shows on the plans at the ends of the hulls.

For our purposes, we will create two of these cabins in the port hull, and the third cabin will not have a standing area, but will have an ample bunk (yep, one kid gets the shaft.) We also will create a queen-sized master bed in the main area of the starboard hull.  I did this with my Tangaroa to great effect (it created a comfortable double.) The manner in which we accomplish this is to raise the bed platform to a height of approximately 2' 8" (81cm). At this height in the V-shaped hull, the width increases exponentially. With a 6" (15cm) cushion shaped to the hull, the overall width of the bunk will be queen size at the shoulders (5' or 152cm). The bottom two feet (61cm) of the bunk will be moved forward in the hull under the forward deck area with the remainder extending out in the the central area of the hull. This means that the lower half of a tall person's legs will only have about 18" (46cm) of clearance below the forward deck. I cannot recall ever having an issue with this on the Tangaroa with a similarly positioned bunk.

This placement will allow for an en-suite head/shower similar to the Tiki 38, instead of a drop-in head in the rear quarter of the hull (I didn't like it on the Tangaroa, and still do not like it.)

Ahhh...luxury in a Classic Wharram. Who'd a thunk it?

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