Bilge storage

[Nehalennia]

Ok so I spent today modifying my bilge storage. There is so much room in front of the engine I wanted to use the space for storage. In the bin is spare bravo III props, flares, jumper cables, dead blow hammer, some wire, wood plugs, engine oil, rags, silicone, etc. I've replace the "L" brackets that I orginally installed. They worked but I had to get them installed quickly before a 2 week trip. They were pretty cheesy.
Here's the original bilge after it was cleaned.
http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o99/ToddOlason/Nehalennia%20when%20new%20to%20us%20and%20mods/BilgeShelfandstorage7-17-083.jpg

Here's the original build.
http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o99/ToddOlason/Nehalennia%20when%20new%20to%20us%20and%20mods/Gettingreadyforthetrip7-13-08-1.jpg
http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o99/ToddOlason/Nehalennia%20when%20new%20to%20us%20and%20mods/BilgeShelfandstorage7-17-085-1.jpg
http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o99/ToddOlason/Nehalennia%20when%20new%20to%20us%20and%20mods/BilgeShelfandstorage7-17-086-1.jpg

You can see that I had the cut out for the seacock for the holding tank discharge. Well I discovered in Canada there are places there are no pump outs and it is legal to discharge in open waters. I had the base and tub in there during our trip and needed to discharge. This made me realize that I needed to make easier and quicker to remove. Another downside was I had screwed the tub down to the shelf from the inside which meant I had to remove everything out of it to remove the tub.


So I bought some nice stainless hardware. I mounted 2 of the beefy hinge with release pins to hold the shelf down and swivel locks for the tub to the attach to the shelf.

I recut the shelf so I can reach the seacock, but need to cut it a bit larger.
http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o99/ToddOlason/Nehalennia%20when%20new%20to%20us%20and%20mods/f554eda9.jpg

You can see the hardware here pretty good.
http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o99/ToddOlason/Nehalennia%20when%20new%20to%20us%20and%20mods/27b092c3.jpg
http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o99/ToddOlason/Nehalennia%20when%20new%20to%20us%20and%20mods/a8ac3eb2.jpg

All ready to repack full of stuff.
http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o99/ToddOlason/Nehalennia%20when%20new%20to%20us%20and%20mods/d0b661d4.jpg

[Papa Charlie]

Todd,
Very nice job. I like the clamps your using. They should prevent it the tub from moving. I can't believe how much room you have in the engine room.

[Go Aweigh2452]

Looks good and you'll be able to dump anywhere without "overflowing" now...

have you thought of trying to double lock down the lid? Or will you use the lid at all? Hate to see that get loose and jam into the serpentine belt...

I basically am doing something similar but with open plastic milk crates on the port side. I can stick two in there but have only used one so far. I built a lip with the plastic you gave me and drilled holes to allow stretch cords to keep stuff on that side of the engine... Photos to follow...

[2859er]

That is a great idea. I could do something like that on the port side of my engine bay, but I don't have room in front of my engine like you do. The PO had a Westerbeke generator in that spot, but he didn't winterize it properly and the block cracked. So I keep the barbeque and a bucket down there but it would work better with some kind of organizing bin.

You guys have the best ideas, and execute them so well. 8)

[Nehalennia]

Todd,
Very nice job. I like the clamps your using. They should prevent it the tub from moving. I can't believe how much room you have in the engine room.
Thanks. It has worked well so far. I just wanted to make is safer and easier to take apart.


Looks good and you'll be able to dump anywhere without "overflowing" now...

have you thought of trying to double lock down the lid? Or will you use the lid at all? Hate to see that get loose and jam into the serpentine belt...

I basically am doing something similar but with open plastic milk crates on the port side. I can stick two in there but have only used one so far. I built a lip with the plastic you gave me and drilled holes to allow stretch cords to keep stuff on that side of the engine... Photos to follow...
I have had the lid on since I put it there. I actually have a hard time getting the lid off it locks so well. Still I have thought about throwing some caribeeners on the handles of the lid for security.
I do need to cut the notch for the Canadian dump bigger as you can see.

[SomeSailor]

Looks good Todd.

[Nehalennia]

Thanks Mike.

[Randygh]

Todd--good work. I'm impressed with the clear grain laminated wood. Too purdy to paint. Did you laminate the wood yourself?

[Nehalennia]

Todd--good work. I'm impressed with the clear grain laminated wood. Too purdy to paint. Did you laminate the wood yourself?\
Randy there is a cabinet shop in Ballard that I used to drive by 2-3 times a week. They had a scrap bin they would set outside. It had some of the nicest pieces or miscuts of plywood and other odds and ends cuts there. I would bring it all home. This is an 1 1/8" piece of cabinet grade ply. I have more.

[Apperloo]

Keep u'r crap at home. LOL
Nice Job. Accessible storage is everything.

[Papa Charlie]

Todd,
I got looking at your pictures again. Do you put a spit polish on your bilge? I know when you were talking about polishing out your hull you said your were a perfectionist, but OMG. Your bilge looks like it is in a brand new boat. Frankly, I wish I could get access to mine to clean it out too.
Great to see, no kidding.

[SomeSailor]

That's a nice thing about Sea Rays. They put that nice bilge coat in them and finish the bilges out in a way Bayliner never does. Sure makes them nice looking huh?

[Nehalennia]

Yeah I like my bilge clean. I actually cleaned it again before I embarked on the alteration yesterday. I had a little coolant and oil that had dripped down there. Nothing much but when it's clean it allows me to visually see if there is something serious going on. Thanks for the compliments. It is nice to have the gel coated surface and it does make it pretty easy to clean.

[Play N Hookie II]

I cannot believe how much room you have in there. Nice work.

[Nehalennia]

Thanks Erik

[bradvo]

My bilge used to look clean, 5 years ago........sigh
It's on the list but dang if I know when I am gonna get to it, might see if the grandson can help with this.

ps
Thanks for reminding me Todd

[Nimh]

Between the cleanliness and the additional storage - inspiring. We have a fairly similar bilge layout, just a hair smaller. I might have to try something similar to this. Thanks!

[Nehalennia]

My bilge used to look clean, 5 years ago........sigh
It's on the list but dang if I know when I am gonna get to it, might see if the grandson can help with this.

ps
Thanks for reminding me Todd
Yeah I haven't thought of sending Luke down there to help me clean but that may be a good idea.


Between the cleanliness and the additional storage - inspiring. We have a fairly similar bilge layout, just a hair smaller. I might have to try something similar to this. Thanks!
Thank you. Yes, it's nice to have the stuff that you don't use too often or hopefully won't need out of the way.

[Chass]

That looks great! I wish I had 2 inches in front of my engine! Mine is right against the firewall!

Chass
ct

[Randygh]

Our grandson is one and one-half years old. Is that too young to train him to clean the bilge? He could certainly get around much better than grandpa........ :roll:

[2859er]

What a great idea. Get him started early before he discovers it isn't any fun!!!

[Papa Charlie]

Randy,
He will probably have a ball. Unfortunately, his fun will probably be pulling on wires.
I wish I had a small portion of Todds room in my engine compartment.