cabin storage

J

Jack B

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River Stour
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Hi,
As I slowly refit my cabin I am interested in hearing of some peoples ideas of storing equipment in their cabins, but specifically on small yachts as my boat is only 17 ft.
Thanks,
Jack
 
Jack I mainly use small plastic storage boxes which are easily cut down to fit the odd bilge shape. You can also put these on a rope to push up into the bows and pull them back down when needed.

Shelving is also important on a smaller boat.

Draws are very handy as well ( I am looking for something old and woody in the charity shops/furniture stores that can be easily fitted somewhere, not easy matching the wood though!) easy to put a notch in them to stop them sliding out!

Depending on your buoyancy arrangements quite a few peole cut into cockpit seat sides and cabin seat sides and fix in old ice cream tubs/storage boxes etc on their sides flush up against the inner wall, so all you see is the inside of the box. Build in a wood surround to cover up the outer edge and make sure the bottom lip is 2-3" high so that your ropes, binoculars etc don't fall out. Or you could just buy a ready made set up.

Glassing in bespoke wood sections to hold stuff is quick and easy!

Nets are good - shop around some are ridiculously expensive, I bought a trailer cargo carrier and chopped it up for smaller netting arrangements in my motor.

IMG_2832.jpg
 
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We use Eagle Creek pack-it cubes for storage.

http://www.safariquip.co.uk/all-categories/luggage-bags/packit-system/eagle-creek-pack-it-cube/

SWMBO & I have four each, which we hang from hooks under a shelf in the cabin. In mine, I use one for "smalls", one for T shirts, one for foldable trousers and one for tops/fleeces.

We also have one of these each to take clothes that we can hang in a locker.

http://www.safariquip.co.uk/all-categories/luggage-bags/packit-system/eagle-creek-pack-it-folder-15/

Apart from ease of storage on the boat, it saves packing/unpacking as at the end of a trip, we just grab the bags, put them in a soft holdall and off home.

Its a great system - lots of other options in the Eagle Creek range - a bit expensive to buy them all in one go but they have proved well worth the spend.
 
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A useful idea I learnt when i bought a sailing dinghy once was screwing the lid of a screw top jar (plastic is the best) on to the underside of awkward spaces. The jar can be screwed in to the lid to make use of the underside of shelves,bunks,cabin roofs and with some silicon it remains a dry haven for any equipment...

I use it now on my bigger boat and it works a treat...

I once heard that the best way to save space is to have more than one use for everything...
 
We used to have a Galion 22 and found that cutlery can be stored in a lock 'n lock spaghetti jar, larger plastic storage boxes with handles on the lid are useful for awkward to reach spaces and a coolbox fitted nicely in the saloon just aft of both the forward bunk and a crate containing the anchor & warp. The coolbox was home to plates & saucepans as well as the beer store. The climate was warmer than the UK so fleece blankets for bedding doubled up as covers for the saloon seating (not that we ever sat down below). The chart table/galley work surface had been "adapted" by a previous owner so the top lifted off and there was space inside for a toolbox. The galley sink (aka a small bucket) was also used for stowage when not in use, it lived under one of the saloon bunks.

When we bought the boat almost everything apart from the toolbox and the cutlery seemed to be stowed in plastic carrier bags even the first aid kit! The crew we inherited was amazed to see it all organised into boxes.
 
On our last boat we used to keep our clothes in linen baskets. We had one each. Clothes air well and you can find things easier than keeping them in a bag. When not needed they stack well. They are light and have a handle all the way around. We also use to use them to transport stuff to and from shore in dinghy. Hey are cheap and durable. Bought 4 before Atlantic crossing in 2003 and still using them
 
pjay's idea worked well on my Heron. I also am v. happy with a small boat, a 18'6" Caprice Mk 4 - a nominal four berth boat - never used the forrard V berth - so plenty of space for my needs and I keep the mattresses in place, I do stow my clothing in a large plastic box wiith a 'clampable' lid. The lockers and cupboards are quite adequate, however a wet locker would be a boon. Bucket and chuckit with a small toilet seat is fine.
In due course I do want to fit a forepeak for my anchor rode, whether I will do so is debatable as I am a full time carer and an octagenarian with 'dicky' knees, it's getting increasingly difficult to get into the inflatable and out to the mooring when the tide is in.
 
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I find those stretchy cargo nets very handy. got mine on ebay - in the motorcycle section.
A berth locker with loads of tupperware is usefull for keeping all the bits n bobs organised & dry (engine spares, fishing tackle, electrical bits, jublie clips etc, etc).

I sailed once with a fellow who came with everything packed in a small airport type trolly case. It appeared to me to be a very practicle means of storing clothes and personal items.
 
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