My 1986 222 has a great storage area inside the cabin, aft of the step, aft of the centerboard halyard pipe and beneath the cockpit deck, but very difficult to get to. About the only way is to crawl back on one of the aft bunks under the cockpit seating area on my stomach. I'd like to use this area more conveniently, probably for groceries, cookware storage, food and utensil containers, etc. I'd like to cut in either an 8" diameter, flush mount, screw in deck plate assembly or a small square deck hatch, maybe 12" x 12" in the cockpit deck over this storage area, so I could access the storage area from the cockpit. Either is factory designed to be walked on. My question is: am I going to weaken the cockpit deck, and create problems for myself, if I cut the deck to install one or the other of this sized opening ? I realize nothing is actually "flush" mounted but I don't think the lip would create a tripping hazard. And I would choose one that is designed to support someone walking on it. And, I'm not too worried about theft, as the opening would not be large enough to get much. Let me know your thoughts or experiences, especially on a 222. Thanks.
Dare I cut out some cockpit deck
- Thread starter bear62041
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Yes, both styles I'm looking at have gasketed covers. The round one screws in and the square one latches
I wouldn't do that! Why don't you just omit the two quarter birth mattresses that fit into those two cubby holes under the cockpit seats. This way, you'll gain access to the two existing compartment covers in there. You'll have plenty of space to store your gear too.
While you're working in there you could mark out a spot where you can cut the top half of that rear Starboard bulkhead. Then you can remove it and cut the top piece off and build a wood cap and cover it with rug. You could have room to store your telescopic boat hook, a 6.5' long Whisker Pole, plus a fishing pole. They would be hidden behind the companionway bulkhead and you wouldn't see them unless you looked into that cubby hole on that side.
I took two stainless steel holders and screwed them into two small pieces of 1/4" plywood and glued some heavy duty Velcro to the backs of the plywood and stuck them to the rug head liner on both sides of that cubby hole. The poles sit on the cap with the rug on it and protrude into the lazarett on that side. Buy the velcro at an automotive specialty store with the large hooks that can grab better.
You'll still have plenty of room on the quarter births to sit down or sprawl out on the births.
I recently posted pictures of these mods on one the threads to this forum. Check it out. I'll try to post the pics of these latest mods in my Owner's Photo Album when I get a chance.
I purchased a trailered 32 foot sailboat without walking on her. I do not do ladders. My wife walked aboard, and videoed the yacht. One disappointment (there were several) was the 7th grade shop class patches in the cockpit floor. It was the first thing I put right once it hit the water. I brought it back, but you can never bring it back to original.
Guys, thanks for all your views and I'm glad I asked. This hatch (if I decide to do it) would be professionally installed, a factory hatch with incorporated factory trim ring, and not much different from a lot of the other modifications we all do to make our boat fit our lifestyles better, or serve a better purpose. This won't be a cut-up or patched up thing but something attractive and very functional.
I'm just concerned that I might be weakening the deck. I've finally put a call into Rudy at DR Marine late today, since he is very familiar with the ODay 222 construction.
Joe, I saw your pics on the latest mod you did for your boat hook, fishing rods, etc., and I think it is absolutely fantastic. Very neat, very professionally done, and tidy and certainly needed. I've got your latest mod, and your removable step mod, on my list of things to get done to my boat. So I will be putting in the rod storage as you suggested one of these days. I've certainly admired all the changes you have made to Trinkka.
But, please keep the comments coming as I'm certainly "on the fence" with this. Thanks.
I'm just concerned that I might be weakening the deck. I've finally put a call into Rudy at DR Marine late today, since he is very familiar with the ODay 222 construction.
Joe, I saw your pics on the latest mod you did for your boat hook, fishing rods, etc., and I think it is absolutely fantastic. Very neat, very professionally done, and tidy and certainly needed. I've got your latest mod, and your removable step mod, on my list of things to get done to my boat. So I will be putting in the rod storage as you suggested one of these days. I've certainly admired all the changes you have made to Trinkka.
But, please keep the comments coming as I'm certainly "on the fence" with this. Thanks.
Bear,
Could you take a picture of the area where you want to cut the hole in the cockpit and post it on your thread for us? It may be worth considering, or there may be another alternative choice you could make.
I'm not good at posting pictures on this forum, Joe, but the opening would be centered fore and aft between the bridge deck and the inside of the stern, and again centered port to starboard in the walk-deck between the seats. This might be adjusted a few inches fore or aft to hit the middle of that storage area I'm talking about. But that would be it. And, actually I think an 8" factory made, flush mount, screw in, gasketed, deck plate (I guess it is also called an inspection plate) and trim, in white or off-white, caulked in place, would be large enough, and I think a round hole is always structurally stronger than a square one. Square openings I believe invites cracking out from the corners, where a round opening won't. I hope this describes the location good enough.
OK. I know where you're you want them. I don't think that would hurt anything structurally, but then again, what the heck do I know? I've never tried it but some guys have cut square openings like that in the cabin just below each quarter birth for access under the quarter births. I guess it's doable. As long as you apply the right type of caulking and secure it well, it should work for you.
Some guys install opening ports in the cockpit for better air circulation.
I'm dying to use my boat. It's in the water but my outboard is in the shop being worked on. In my haste to get my mast up last week, I forgot to install my gaul- dang flag halyard. Maybe I'll go down to the club and sail my boat to the dock and take my mast down again. It would be a lot easier to do it now, where I haven't hung my Gennie on the furler luff yet.
Yeah, I'm dying to get my boat in the water for the first time this year. I left my mast up all winter, so I've got to lower mine too. She's all set to go tho. I found out I can rent a space at the marina from now to October for $215.00 total and leave the mast up, boat on the trailer, all I have to do is hook on, tow it about 100 yards to the lake, and then park it back when I'm done. It is in a secure area, but I'll lock her up anyway. But that sure sounds good to me. I'm going down and rent the space today. While my mast is down I've got to remember to install the new spar fly I bought.
If you're going to have the yard do this job, why not have them add a couple of layers of glass cloth to the uderside of the bottom of the cockpit before cutting that 8" hole. That would strengthen the floor and there would be no future problems with the floor weakening. Ernie
Joe, I am down at Tyndall this week and boat less. It is painful to be on such beautiful sailing grounds and just stand on shore drooling like some love struck fool. Yesterday we were on the lee shore of the bay when a large beautiful catamaran was too close hauled, missed her stays, and ended up grounded right in front of us. I put my beer down and hiked out the 100 yards to her and hailed her captain, a lovely british fellow with an even lovelier first mate. I offered my assistance and he had me take his bow anchor out about 150 yards and we kedged her off the gravel and back into deep water. I had a great time. I can't wait to get my girl down here. Or at least get the little 18 i bought finished and trailer her down here.Trinkka said:
Hi Keith!
Tyndall is not far from Panama city marina. I usually go on their site and operate the web cam. That's a beautiful area down there.
You did your good deed for the day hu? I think I would have have helped him too. I always keep my kayak in the back of my pick up truck and I know that I could set a kedge anchor with it because I've done it a few times. In fact I hoisted my Fortress FX 11 out of the kayak about a week ago in stiff wind and waves. It just take a little balance.
It's been raining up here for the past week and this is the only thing that stops me from going to the club and getting my boat to the dock to hang out on it.
This year we have five slips and more docks going out on the water. I counted about 175' of dock going out from the first dock at the ramp.
I feel your pain Keith. Hopefully we'll be out there enjoying the water soon.
Tyndall is not far from Panama city marina. I usually go on their site and operate the web cam. That's a beautiful area down there.
You did your good deed for the day hu? I think I would have have helped him too. I always keep my kayak in the back of my pick up truck and I know that I could set a kedge anchor with it because I've done it a few times. In fact I hoisted my Fortress FX 11 out of the kayak about a week ago in stiff wind and waves. It just take a little balance.
It's been raining up here for the past week and this is the only thing that stops me from going to the club and getting my boat to the dock to hang out on it.
This year we have five slips and more docks going out on the water. I counted about 175' of dock going out from the first dock at the ramp.
I feel your pain Keith. Hopefully we'll be out there enjoying the water soon.
not much rain down here, we r dry, too dry for spring in Appalachia, it sure could be a dry summer unless we get a tropic or hurrycane blow through. thats alright though, i can water my 'maters with the hose. and dry weather makes for good sailing and a dirth of them skitters.(pardon my suthern english)Trinkka said:
keith
You're lucky Keith. It's been raining up here for a solid week now and I'm getting tired of it. I love garden grown fresh maters'. My wife grows 'em don'tsha know. I grow herbs like flat parsley, sweet basil, and mint.
This summer when I get out to the bay I plan on digging me some cherry stone quahogs and making up an Italian seafood dish called Zuppa De Clams on the boat, which is similar to Mussels Marinara. This is where the herbs come in handy.
Ahoy!
Joe
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