between transom and cockpit space

[DeniseO30]

Over the weekend I had to crawl into the back area with a grease gun; had to grease the rudder post. Arrrg! Anyway, I'm sure most of you have noticed the huge amount of space back there. There is room for 2 boxes with doors on the cockpit wall behind the wheel! (on either side of the rudder tube) One could be a propane locker I'm sure. I'd like to make some boxes to fit in there that have doors on them. I don't think it would affect the structure of the boat.
http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path=-1|6880|48504&id=744257

something like this

I'd use slam hatch doors made for floors since they are gasketed. the boxes would have to be gasketed and bolted since they would need to be removed for access to the steering gear. drain out the transom if one is used for LPG storage. Come to think of it even it the doors weren't gasketed the propane would vent down thru the cockpit drains anyway.

What say the jury?

 

[tcwaltz]

I've thought about doing something similar. With a little work I can get back there and sit up in my 28. I always figure if I add a diesel genset that is where it's home will be

 

[TENACITY CS36T]

I like your idea, my 28 has a ton of room back there as well.

 

[DeniseO30]

I'll do some measuring when I get on the boat soon. got rainy and cold again here.. Sigh.

 

[Rag Doll]

I'll do some measuring when I get on the boat soon. got rainy and cold again here.. Sigh.

I'm going to follow this closely because there is a lot of room back there and I want to see the creative ideas that come out of the situation.

Is the O Day line of boats the only ones that require greasing of the rudder shaft? I do grease mine every year at the beginning of the season. I have a good free wheeling rudder and I would attribute it to the greasing.

 

[RAD]

Just make an opening for the door and call it a day....forget the boxes....instant storage space

 

[DeniseO30]

Rad that wouldn't work very well the steering quadrant is just below it.

 

[Rag Doll]

Rad that wouldn't work very well the steering quadrant is just below it.

Denis,

I have always heard the comment that the cockpit drainage on an O Day 28 was insufficient and the Cockpit could be flooded if a wave is taken astern. Is this a problem on the O Day 30? If it is a problem you definately would need a water tight hatch as you had shown. If you had to resolve cockpit drainage would you share that with me?

 

[DeniseO30]

I agree my drains are woefully undersized if the boat took a wave over the cockpit.. but small cockpits and companion ways well above the sole (floor) seem to be the design of boats from that era. IF if ever get around to the project, the doors will need to be water tight and boxes behind them would need drains also. Thanks!