I have a question about the hollow area to the right of the Nav station along the hull. This seems like a lot of wasted space to me. Has anyone removed part of the inner wall and placed shelves there? Or is this structurally a bad idea? This is on a 1978 Catalina 30 hull #959
Catalina 30 Aft of nav station starboard dead space
- Thread starter windcat
- Start date
Opened up the area referred to in addition to the area between the liner and the hull on both sides of the boat. Lots of space there. Cut opening with rounded corners and used a crimping nylon plastic trim piece to cover the cut edges. There is space between the bottom of these new compartments between the hull and the liner that needs to be blocked or smaller items will fall into the compartments below. The space is visible from the underside in the lower compartments. Seat backs then cover the openings. Have not seen flexing nor movement between liner and hull. It's a great improvement. Sorry, no photos as we are in the states and the boat is in Mexico.
Any chance you can send some pictures? I'm trying to figure out where you mean below. If you mean underneath the nav table that's where my batteries are located. Thanks.
How big did you cut these holes? Approx. size please. Elongated or square? And when you say on both sides of the boat, where on the port side are you referring? Thanks.
Wish I could post some photos but boat is in Mexico and I am in the states. Holes cut were square with rounded corners approx 15 in X 15 in. That on the forward side of the nav station was 8"W X 15 in. Aft of the nav station it was approx 15X15. Both sides of the boat, mid cabin were opened up behind cushions. Also starboard under forward berth next to existing hatch that has access to depth gauge sensor in the hull, another cut was made with teak hatch opening more room. Then, in the head, another area was opened under the counter just aft of the opening under the sink, and a teak hatch was put there. These areas accomodate much, and are used for towels and clothing, and some extra electronic gear as they are not near the bilge and remain very dry. Cut edges behind the cushions were protected with a trim piece commonly used for such things. We sailed down to Mexico and live aboard for many months and needed more room for storage than provided with the original boat (a 1983 Cat 30). A small cut high up in the liner behind the seat cushions will show you what you have to work with between the liner and side hull. We also cut and installed a hatch beneath the aft bunk to allow more access to that area that is aft of the diesel tank. This area is used for oil, filter, etc. storage. Without the hatch most of that area behind the diesel tank is not usable. Boat has been banged up badly in 2004 in Hurricane Marty, but no indication of hull weakness, nor damage to hull. Lost all stainless, part of the bow. It survived Hurricane Odile in Baja California (La Paz) just last week so the wind/waves etc. have no effect on the boats hull strength. No damage to the boat in this one (well, will need a new Mexican flag)
Jack, I too have an 83 -30', hull #3335, and have run wires for several things up between the hull and the liner aft of the nav station and often wondered if this space was usable. After all, it is, ahead of the station. Good to know it doesn't affect the integrity of the hull. Hadn't thought of a cut in the head. I had planned to cut an access panel in the settee bottom just behind the hanging locker as there is a ton of space there but to access it you have to strip the seat of the cushion and anything stacked atop (and there is always stuff atop!)
A member of our club has a 30' and he has made sliding drawers that run out of the space beside the diesel tank for tools and spares and a few other places. I plan to mimic these as well and will post pics.
Hope your boat is brought back to life and spared hurricanes from now on. Thanks for the tips.
Norm
A member of our club has a 30' and he has made sliding drawers that run out of the space beside the diesel tank for tools and spares and a few other places. I plan to mimic these as well and will post pics.
Hope your boat is brought back to life and spared hurricanes from now on. Thanks for the tips.
Norm
Norm, considered hatches below seating, but the storage behind seatbacks is easy to get to. We use underseat storage for food primarily. Boat is in excellent shape, no damage from hurricane Odile. We did have damage in 2004 from another hurricane, but that was all fixed. Hull was badly scratched (you should see the other boat), but no cracks nor holes. We will be back aboard in a month or so, sailing the Sea of Cortez.