How have Rhodies handled storage on their boats? We are searching
for ways to increase the built-ins and reduce the misc. stuff in the
V-berth. Also, the space under the sink is very tall but rather
narrow, what containers do people use or what kind of modifications,
such as shelves, have been made to the under sink area to use all the
head space? Does anyone use anything besides blue rubber maid tubs
under the seats?
Jay & Julia
Sacramento
Regarding storage, we used to use the 10" high, 5 gal Rubbermaid
"Roughneck" containers for underseat storage. They're not bad; but
tend to slip out from under the seat during aggressive sailing. For
the past several years, we've used the Cabela's Boundary Waters Bags.
They come in two sizes: 22" x 12" x 12" (CH-51-0117-022) for about
$25 & 36" x 12" x 16" (CH-51-0117-036) for about $35. Each size bag
can be ordered in either Green or Orange. We have both sizes on
board Dynamic Equilibrium, but find the larger of the two bags to be
the best for underseat storage.
The Boundary Waters Bags are made of a HD nylon reinforced PVC with a
wide Velcro storm flap closure over the zipper. There are HD nylon
strap handles that completely encircle the bag for extra
reinforcement & a snap-on nylon webbing shoulder strap for carrying
ashore.
These bags are absolutely waterproof - we also use them for white
water canoe trips & camping trips with my Boy Scout troop. The bags
are soft & moldable to fit into any nook & cranny & are easy on the
toes. We give each member of the crew a large size bag for personal
gear. Once stuffed under the seat, the bags don't slip out under any
conditions. They also stuff nicely into the odd shaped spaces in the
lazarette compartment & under the port side settee & V-berths, with
no worries about bilge water sloshing up there.
As far as storage in the cabinet under the galley counter, I
installed a Kenyon 2 burner LP gas stove in my galley. The built-in
stove plus the slide out heat shield under the stove uses up about 6
inches of height. I found the 10 gal plastic trash container from
Sterilite fits nicely in the remaining height. It has locking
handles for the lid & the lid seals in trashy odors very well. About
10 years ago, I bought the pots, pans, dishes, glasses, cups &
silverware for our boat. The rest of the under-cabinet space has
custom racks & bins made from 1/4" marine plywood that fit my
particular gear.
Roger Pihlaja
S/V Dynamic Equilibrium
I think I've come up with a design for the under seat storage. If no
one can blow a hole in it, I will install it over the weekend.
The basic idea is to install a bar under the seats, between the
cockpit sole and the seats, running parallel with the lip in the
cockpit sole.
The bar is a "C-mate system" stainless steel collapsible boat pole.
It is basically 41/2 feet of 1-inch rail with 41/2 feet of ?-inch
rail sliding inside it. They use stopper buttons to hold it at
various lengths and it has the cutest little handles on it.
On each bulkhead I will add plastic blocks about 1 inch thick (2 1/2-
inch pieces expoxied together) with a routed hole about 3/4-inch deep.
About 8 11/2-inch #8 screws bedded in 3M 4200. A new stopper hole
will be drilled to hold the pole in the plastic holes. I might also
drill a 5/16" hole for a pin and padlock setup.
I will have in the end (in the Rhodes tradition it has to do a lot):
- 1) hold-down for under seat storage.
- 2) lockable under seat storage
- 3) anti-dive-under-opposite-seat foot rest.
- 4) 2 boat hook poles
- 5) 2 mooring hook poles
- 6) 2 brush poles
- 7) 2 mop poles
- 8) 2 net poles
- 9) 2 scrubber poles
- 10) 2 squeegee poles
- 11) 2 gaff hook poles
P.S. one might become a spinnaker/whisker pole when that project
comes up.
MJM
We have several plastic containers under our seats. For aggressive
sailing we have used webbing similar to that used to replace
tailgates on pickups. It's easily sewn and snaps on each end make for
easy access and no toe jamming.
JT
"Rum Runner"
