Here's what I built for cabinet space over the winter. The right door pulls out with a 2 burner propane stove attatched, and the left door is a cabinet 24 inches deep for pots and pans, utensils, etc. On top is a 1000 watt inverter that runs a microwave. It all fits in the wasted space above your feet in the aft berth.
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Nice, nice work
I could sure use something like that. By any chance did you make plans? Looks like the perfect use of otherwise wasted space.
I could sure use something like that. By any chance did you make plans? Looks like the perfect use of otherwise wasted space.
Terrific work Ross
I've been trying to improve the storage areas, and have thought about this solution. Well done. Hope you are able to provide plans. How did you secure the unit? Did you need to drill holes for bolts through the cockpit seats?
I've been trying to improve the storage areas, and have thought about this solution. Well done. Hope you are able to provide plans. How did you secure the unit? Did you need to drill holes for bolts through the cockpit seats?
Great Job! More questions
Ross, Very impressive *5! One of my questions is where do you put the propane bottle? Also, is it supported from supports underneath or anchored above? Did you use a standard drawer slide hardware set? How do you keep from stressing and bowing the slides when they extend out so far with the stove fully extended? Thanks, Jonathan Costello Heeling Powers
Ross, Very impressive *5! One of my questions is where do you put the propane bottle? Also, is it supported from supports underneath or anchored above? Did you use a standard drawer slide hardware set? How do you keep from stressing and bowing the slides when they extend out so far with the stove fully extended? Thanks, Jonathan Costello Heeling Powers
a few answers
No holes in the cockpit seats, I mounted a 3/4" plywood subface plate to the back of the sink/galley bulkhead with 2 5/16" bolts and built everything off of that.I used 2 triangle gussets to hold up the rear of the cabinet without taking up foot room in the berth. I made a template of the subface plate because it is the hardest piece to make, took forever to get it just right. After the cabinet body was installed, I face framed it in oak to make it pretty, and mounted the door & drawer face. Notice the cutout in the left door to clear the sink faucet. When the stove drawer is extended fully it sits on the old countertop with the dropleaf up to support it's weight. You can leave the dropleaf down and just stick something about 1/2" thick under it to support it. The propane bottle is a 1 lb. bottle that screws onto the end of a short hose and sits inside the cabinet space when the stove is pulled out. The stove is a Century 2 burner camp stove that I found at Walmart. The stove is mounted with wing nuts for removal to clean it. I used ball bearing type 24" drawer slides and mounted them on the bottom of a piece of 3/4" oak plywood. It works slick, but took alot of time to build and get everything to fit just right. Nothing is square, plumb, or straight in a sailboat. I'll take some more pictures and draw up some plans and post them in a day or so. If I can figure out how to shrink the template and keep it to scale I'll post it otherwise, anyone who wants a full size template of the subface plate send me a stamped, addressed envelope and I will send you a copy. Ross Terry 1510 Forest Service 300 rd. Glenwood Springs CO 81601 Mike B, Where is some good trailer sailing around Denver? I was thinking about McConaughy, ever been there?
No holes in the cockpit seats, I mounted a 3/4" plywood subface plate to the back of the sink/galley bulkhead with 2 5/16" bolts and built everything off of that.I used 2 triangle gussets to hold up the rear of the cabinet without taking up foot room in the berth. I made a template of the subface plate because it is the hardest piece to make, took forever to get it just right. After the cabinet body was installed, I face framed it in oak to make it pretty, and mounted the door & drawer face. Notice the cutout in the left door to clear the sink faucet. When the stove drawer is extended fully it sits on the old countertop with the dropleaf up to support it's weight. You can leave the dropleaf down and just stick something about 1/2" thick under it to support it. The propane bottle is a 1 lb. bottle that screws onto the end of a short hose and sits inside the cabinet space when the stove is pulled out. The stove is a Century 2 burner camp stove that I found at Walmart. The stove is mounted with wing nuts for removal to clean it. I used ball bearing type 24" drawer slides and mounted them on the bottom of a piece of 3/4" oak plywood. It works slick, but took alot of time to build and get everything to fit just right. Nothing is square, plumb, or straight in a sailboat. I'll take some more pictures and draw up some plans and post them in a day or so. If I can figure out how to shrink the template and keep it to scale I'll post it otherwise, anyone who wants a full size template of the subface plate send me a stamped, addressed envelope and I will send you a copy. Ross Terry 1510 Forest Service 300 rd. Glenwood Springs CO 81601 Mike B, Where is some good trailer sailing around Denver? I was thinking about McConaughy, ever been there?
Hi Ross,
I've dry-sailed at Chatfield the last couple of years: they have sustained the water level because its purpose is flood control not water source. Of course with the drought they are looking at putting in pumps to get the water to a treatment plant, and maybe have it hold more water, but that will take a while. It got crowded last year because it was one of the few places to float a boat. If you can avoid the weekends it is fine. Cherry Creek reservoir is too small for me, has filthier water, and is even more crowded. I took it down to Pueblo Reservoir last year since I used to sail down there a lot back in the day. They were down at least 60' and I ran aground once. They probably ran out of bouys to mark all of the shallow spots but I should have known better anyway. No damage - just swing up and shove off! Lake Mac has been great over the years and I've been dying to take the 240 there but since I got it all the ramps there have been dried up. I put a link to the boat ramp info. You can see that the deepest ramp extends to 3219' but the lake is currently a few inches over that (go to Recreation->Lake Levels). It needs to come up about four feet but that's probably not gonna happen this year. All of which makes for lousy sailing but great for projects - and I definitely will send for your template. I think you would have no problem selling these cabinets if you're so inclined. How is Reudi holding up?
I've dry-sailed at Chatfield the last couple of years: they have sustained the water level because its purpose is flood control not water source. Of course with the drought they are looking at putting in pumps to get the water to a treatment plant, and maybe have it hold more water, but that will take a while. It got crowded last year because it was one of the few places to float a boat. If you can avoid the weekends it is fine. Cherry Creek reservoir is too small for me, has filthier water, and is even more crowded. I took it down to Pueblo Reservoir last year since I used to sail down there a lot back in the day. They were down at least 60' and I ran aground once. They probably ran out of bouys to mark all of the shallow spots but I should have known better anyway. No damage - just swing up and shove off! Lake Mac has been great over the years and I've been dying to take the 240 there but since I got it all the ramps there have been dried up. I put a link to the boat ramp info. You can see that the deepest ramp extends to 3219' but the lake is currently a few inches over that (go to Recreation->Lake Levels). It needs to come up about four feet but that's probably not gonna happen this year. All of which makes for lousy sailing but great for projects - and I definitely will send for your template. I think you would have no problem selling these cabinets if you're so inclined. How is Reudi holding up?
Ruedi
is currently down about 40 feet, the ramp goes quite a bit further than that. I've seen it down 80 feet and the ramp was still in the water. Last year it filled to within 4 feet of the spillway. They have contractual obligations for water augmentations, so I expect they will come close to the same level this year. Sailing there is pretty good, but its always running with the wind, or tacking every 5 minutes to get back upwind. The wind gets a little erratic in the middle of the lake due to side canyons, resulting in spilled beer and a freaked out wife occasionally. I have fantasies of being on a beam reach for more than a few minutes at a time. I stopped by McConaughy about 3 weeks ago coming home from a road trip. Didn't talk to anyone at the time because it was closed on a sunday, but it looked like they had a ramp open at the south end of the dam. I'm working on some drawings right now and will have something posted soon. ross
is currently down about 40 feet, the ramp goes quite a bit further than that. I've seen it down 80 feet and the ramp was still in the water. Last year it filled to within 4 feet of the spillway. They have contractual obligations for water augmentations, so I expect they will come close to the same level this year. Sailing there is pretty good, but its always running with the wind, or tacking every 5 minutes to get back upwind. The wind gets a little erratic in the middle of the lake due to side canyons, resulting in spilled beer and a freaked out wife occasionally. I have fantasies of being on a beam reach for more than a few minutes at a time. I stopped by McConaughy about 3 weeks ago coming home from a road trip. Didn't talk to anyone at the time because it was closed on a sunday, but it looked like they had a ramp open at the south end of the dam. I'm working on some drawings right now and will have something posted soon. ross
Ross One Concern
I am very impressed with your work. It is a very efficient use of dead space. I may copy the idea for my 23.5 and mount my alcohol burner the same way. My only concern is the storage of the propane bottle in the cabinet in such a confined space. If your hose were to get a leak or the fitting was not tight you could have a void filled with propane which in turn could get ugly. Propane is heavier than air thus will displace oxygen. If the bottle were to leak with the cabin closed after being away form the boat and you were to open up the boat any small spark could ignite the gas that has settled into the bilge etc. It will not rise like natural gas. I know there are certain guidelines for the installation of propane stoves and tanks but I am not familiar with them. Be careful.
I am very impressed with your work. It is a very efficient use of dead space. I may copy the idea for my 23.5 and mount my alcohol burner the same way. My only concern is the storage of the propane bottle in the cabinet in such a confined space. If your hose were to get a leak or the fitting was not tight you could have a void filled with propane which in turn could get ugly. Propane is heavier than air thus will displace oxygen. If the bottle were to leak with the cabin closed after being away form the boat and you were to open up the boat any small spark could ignite the gas that has settled into the bilge etc. It will not rise like natural gas. I know there are certain guidelines for the installation of propane stoves and tanks but I am not familiar with them. Be careful.
Jonathan, the bottle is removed for storage
the short hose stays inside the stove wwhen the stoveis closed up the bottle comes off when not in use.
the short hose stays inside the stove wwhen the stoveis closed up the bottle comes off when not in use.
Ross
John is correct about his concerns. To be frank, you need to vent the enclosed area outside and I would not suggest using it for heating. I had a scouter friend who did not heed my warnings and he along with two other scouts were buried with much sadness. Be careful.
John is correct about his concerns. To be frank, you need to vent the enclosed area outside and I would not suggest using it for heating. I had a scouter friend who did not heed my warnings and he along with two other scouts were buried with much sadness. Be careful.
Got the message guys
I appreciate your concerns about the issues of using propane on a boat. I assure you that I understand the potential safety issues involved, although it's true that not everyone does. I don't use it for heat, only cooking. Anytime it is in use a hatch is open for ventilation. When it is not in use the bottle gets disconnected and stowed in a cockpit locker outside. I think I may have caused some confusion when I stated that the bottle sits inside the cabinet space when the stove is in use. The hose is about 16"long and the bottle could sit anywhere. you could put it in the sink if you wanted to. Anyway, I have some drawings in Adobe .pdf format if anwone wants them email me and I'll send them. ross@sunlightmtn.com
I appreciate your concerns about the issues of using propane on a boat. I assure you that I understand the potential safety issues involved, although it's true that not everyone does. I don't use it for heat, only cooking. Anytime it is in use a hatch is open for ventilation. When it is not in use the bottle gets disconnected and stowed in a cockpit locker outside. I think I may have caused some confusion when I stated that the bottle sits inside the cabinet space when the stove is in use. The hose is about 16"long and the bottle could sit anywhere. you could put it in the sink if you wanted to. Anyway, I have some drawings in Adobe .pdf format if anwone wants them email me and I'll send them. ross@sunlightmtn.com
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