Storage and organization tips???

[Mustangous]

I spent the last 24 years on my fathers 260 express cruiser and that boat has all kinds of storage compartments and cubbys for anything and everything. But the sundeck just has big holes or compartments.

So what are some idea that everyone uses for their boating needs? Like paper work stuff? I was thinking of getting a pencil case and velcro-ing it inside the sink compartment. Also paper towels, maybe installing a paper towel holder under the sink as well.

Any creative idea that would be helpful for everyone to have a nicely organized sport boat? Also what are some of the things that you keep on you boat? beach towels, blankets, ect... ???

 

[Mustangous]

I know everyone is getting their boats in the water, but come on..:smt021 lol

SO what does everyone keep on there boats for the season other than the required safety equipment and how do they store it in their boats. Therers a lot of stoarge on the sundeck but its just big deep cubbies. You can loose small children in them... :wow:

 

[billnpat]

I know everyone is getting their boats in the water, but come on..:smt021 lol

SO what does everyone keep on there boats for the season other than the required safety equipment and how do they store it in their boats. Therers a lot of stoarge on the sundeck but its just big deep cubbies. You can loose small children in them... :wow:

We store a lot below....seems our boat has cubby holes everywhere...we have the usual beach stuff, and plenty of beer, food and anything thats fun....:thumbsup:

 

[JediJD]

I have velcro'ed a small funnel and a mini maglight to one of the stanchions in my engine compartment and a visor sunglass clip next to the driver's window ledge (I lose my readers pretty often). I plan on adding a paper towel holder in the bilge as well, but am afraid the moisture will destroy them pretty quickly. On my 240, I used double sided tape and put gallon resealable Glad sandwich bag on the bow door for registration, receipts and the like.

 

[Mustangous]

We store a lot below....seems our boat has cubby holes everywhere...we have the usual beach stuff, and plenty of beer, food and anything thats fun....:thumbsup:

Yea my fathers thats way too... Can never have too much beer on board... :grin:

I have velcro'ed a small funnel and a mini maglight to one of the stanchions in my engine compartment and a visor sunglass clip next to the driver's window ledge (I lose my readers pretty often). I plan on adding a paper towel holder in the bilge as well, but am afraid the moisture will destroy them pretty quickly. On my 240, I used double sided tape and put gallon resealable Glad sandwich bag on the bow door for registration, receipts and the like.

Nice! thanks for the tips!

I was thinking of adding a plug for the bow cooler so the ice water stays in. I would think the ice water would help the drinks stay colder longer, right? then when i want to drain, just pull the plug...

 

[billnpat]

quote:
I was thinking of adding a plug for the bow cooler so the ice water stays in. I would think the ice water would help the drinks stay colder longer, right? then when i want to drain, just pull the plug...
__________________

Thats a good idea....

 

[JediJD]

I was thinking of adding a plug for the bow cooler so the ice water stays in. I would think the ice water would help the drinks stay colder longer, right? then when i want to drain, just pull the plug...

I'll let some of the "thermo" guys chime in here, but ice water is warmer than ice. Keeping water in the cooler might help carry a small bit of thermal load, but there isn't a lot of insulation in the cooler storage and the expanded surface area against the uninsulated container is probably a net negative. You can, however, get a short term benefit by plugging the hole, pouring ice in, and adding salt. The chemical reaction will make the mixture colder than ice water alone.

 

[randmhall]

If you ad salt to the bow cooler, then you are going to get saltwater in the bilge when it drains. Sorry, but that is just one more thing to clean when you should be boating. My advice is to just drink the beer before the ice melts. Then get more ice and more beer at the marina. Then repeat...

 

[JediJD]

My bad...didn't realize the "drain to bilge" issue. My 240 cooler had an external drain. It doesn't change the thermal equation, but I wouldn't want extra salt water in my bilge without taking steps to address it.

 

[black magic]

I'm not sure what your rear storage is like, but on my 185 I bought some smaller sized rubbermaid totes. I wedge them in there while they were empty to allow them to flex into place. I put my first aid kit, tools, flashlight and other odds and ends in one and put the lid on. I placed another tote on the oposite side and left the lid off. I keep all of my vest and fenders in there.

Oh, as far as the plugs go, I'd get them. I made a few trips last summer without plugs and the ice was pretty much gone after a few hours. With the plugs, I still have ice and ice water in there when I get home.

 

[Mustangous]

I'm not sure what your rear storage is like, but on my 185 I bought some smaller sized rubbermaid totes. I wedge them in there while they were empty to allow them to flex into place. I put my first aid kit, tools, flashlight and other odds and ends in one and put the lid on. I placed another tote on the oposite side and left the lid off. I keep all of my vest and fenders in there.

Oh, as far as the plugs go, I'd get them. I made a few trips last summer without plugs and the ice was pretty much gone after a few hours. With the plugs, I still have ice and ice water in there when I get home.

Good idea with totes. I could get a few smaller ones to keep things organized and neat. Good idea! Thanks.

I always had ice longer and the drinks stay much colder
when sumerged in ice water then when just keeping it
drained. That's always what worked better for me.

 

[browneye253]

I'm not sure what your rear storage is like, but on my 185 I bought some smaller sized rubbermaid totes. I wedge them in there while they were empty to allow them to flex into place. I put my first aid kit, tools, flashlight and other odds and ends in one and put the lid on. I placed another tote on the oposite side and left the lid off. I keep all of my vest and fenders in there.

Oh, as far as the plugs go, I'd get them. I made a few trips last summer without plugs and the ice was pretty much gone after a few hours. With the plugs, I still have ice and ice water in there when I get home.

I'm having a hard time picturing the rubbermaid totes. Any chance you could find a picture of one online and post it?

 

[Sundancer]

Keep the water in! It keeps it much colder! The water and ice will still be at 32 degrees until all the ice is gone. If you drain the water, it allows warm air in to melt the ice even faster.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Rubbermaid stuff - great idea. I also use plastic milk crates (I like those because they drain). I use large tackle boxes or plastic tool organizers for small things like utensils - the kind where you can re-arrange the plastic dividers.

Browneye: type "rubbermaid tote" into that special bar at the top of your browser window... I think it's called "google", or some fancy-shmancy thing like that... :smt001

 

[Gofirstclass]

I bought a small $5 tool box at WalMart similar in size to this one and made a great first aid kit out of it. The pre-assembled first aid kits you buy never have all the stuff you need and if they come close, they cost a fortune. I put the whole thing together for about $25 and I think I'm prepared for just about any emergency that might happen on the water.

 

[browneye253]

Rubbermaid stuff - great idea. I also use plastic milk crates (I like those because they drain). I use large tackle boxes or plastic tool organizers for small things like utensils - the kind where you can re-arrange the plastic dividers.

Browneye: type "rubbermaid tote" into that special bar at the top of your browser window... I think it's called "google", or some fancy-shmancy thing like that... :smt001

Was just curious which tote he was able to find that "wedged" into the storage area. Our boats are very similar and was curious to see if he had found a clever way to drop something in to the compartment. :smt017

 

[Lazy Daze]

Was just curious which tote he was able to find that "wedged" into the storage area. Our boats are very similar and was curious to see if he had found a clever way to drop something in to the compartment. :smt017

Good - you had me scared for second, there :smt001

The RubberMaid stuff is very flexible and forgiving - especially if you let it out in the sun for a bit. Heck, you can pretty much fold the things in half and they'll pop right back.

Get your basic measurements (height, length, width) and maybe just stop by your local big box store/Target/etc. They usually have a pretty good selection.

 

[Mustangous]

Another idea i am thinking of is to find a bin that has the same dimensions of my storage compartment opening, the one where the battery switch is, but the bin has to have a flat lip around the bin. So the bin would lay flush with the fiberglass under the seat, but wouldn't fall down. I have the hinged seats so this should work, I just have to find a bin how i described. Doubt i could make something, but i will look into it...

 

[black magic]

Sorry I haven't replied to the request... long busy weekend. :grin:

I can take some snap shots of what I'm using when I get off of work if you would like, but I looked up wally-world's web site and I think I found what I am using. It looksl like I got the brand wrong. Sterilite 10 gal. tote container. Here is a picture. If you still want me to take some pics let me know. Plus, I can confirm the size. Again, sorry for the delay in responding.

... and here is the discription:

• Sterilite's 1810 10 Gallon Tote has a stack and nest design for maximum storage efficiency. A secure, snap on lid is contoured for secure stacking with additional totes. The generous 10 gallon capacity makes this tote a versatile storage solution.
  • 10 Gallon Capacity
  • Made of heavy duty plastic.
  • Snap on lid for secure holding of contents.
  • 20.75 L x 14.5 W x 13 H"

 

[Lazy Daze]

Another idea i am thinking of is to find a bin that has the same dimensions of my storage compartment opening, the one where the battery switch is, but the bin has to have a flat lip around the bin. So the bin would lay flush with the fiberglass under the seat, but wouldn't fall down. I have the hinged seats so this should work, I just have to find a bin how i described. Doubt i could make something, but i will look into it...

If you're going to hang the container, you might consider using a bin made out of a stiffer plastic so it doesn't cave-in or fall since the lip of the container is all that's holding it. This is one source that may be of help...
http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/default.aspx?catid=845&parentcatid=-1

Another idea would be to create a frame that your bin of choice would simply fit/fall right into. With a little ingenuity, this frame could then be attached to the fiberglass opening in a manner that would keep the top of the bin flush with, or below, the opening so that nothing interferes with the seat.