hey everyone, I was wondering if you have any tips regarding storage inside of small boats, I like to use dry bags and stuff them in the lockers
storage tactics
- Thread starter fred1diver
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I love cargo hammocks. I had three in my last boat and will certainly be adding some to my new-2-me boat this summer. You easily see what is in them and stuff you know you will need but want to keep out of the way is right there and ready to go.... I also drape swim towels over them to dry so they double as a cloths line.
I have a couple Lock and Lock boxes. One for First Aid, one for tools, and a couple others for powerbars and emergency food rations. As mostly a daysailer, I tend to race to the boat, but forget about planning for eating later. Then I come into my dock ravenous and do stupid things like rev the engine in F instead of R. So, knowing I can grab a powerbar and some trail mix is key. Also, I have taken waffle shelf liner to put directly on the fiberglass in the under quarterberth storage areas. Reduces sliding, and reduced clanking noises of stuff against the bare 'glass.
New designs like the Elan 210, the First 20 and First 25 use a system of hanging soft sided bags that are designed to be filled at home and brought on board. Kinda like luggage that becomes storage. They clip onto rods and hangers built into the boat. This is the Elan.
I've done a version of that as well. Two boats ago, I hung "trunk organizers" along the walls of the v-berth. You can find the "trunk organizer" at WalMart, Autozone or Amazon. It was surprising how much stuff you can put in those, and then forget you have... and then go get a duplicate replacement. Later, I hung cargo hammocks in exactly the same way and prefer that since you can see what is in them. I guess clear plastic stowage soft bags would be my preference so you can see what is inside each one at a glance.
It largely depends on the whether the boat is dry or wet and the personal needs and likes of its owner. In the small boat (22') we only keep "boat things" on a permanent basis; things like bedding, clothing, food and drinks we load and unload as needed. We trailer the small boat once or twice a year for trips at distant sailing venues and the rest of the time is stored so bedding aboard would get moldy and food would attract critters. In no boat do we ever keep food aboard unless it is cans. For bedding we use trash bags and we keep clothing and personal hygiene items in the bags they were brought aboard ( we indeed live out of a suitcase). During the trip we have figured out different boat configurations giving some spaces double and triple duty. For underway most things go into the V-Berth and for sleeping they get moved into the cabin (hence the need to keep clothes in the luggage). Some swear by hammocks but we have not found a convenient place to hang them so we do not use them. Our small boat does have a hanging locker used for food and extra drinks. Basically figure out what works for you and think of items in groups and categories and of space as boat configurations for different uses.
The bags are great storage ideas. I have small hammocks in the V berth for storage too.
To give you an idea of what my boat does, the longest cruise I have had with her so far is 10 days straight. This year I will be out for about 3 weeks, I hope. We shall see.
There is a book out there that is just for small sailboats. It is kind of one of those "Why didn't I think of that?" book.