I am looking for ideas on how to package and store my tools on my H34. I like having everything I would need on board. But storage seems to be an issue. I would love to hear and see what others have done. Thanks.
Tool storage
- Thread starter a65sailor
- Start date
Nav station in a kitchen drawer utensil divider.
http://www.c34.org/projects/images/35511_04.jpg
Plus a soft Sears bag for electrical stuff. Plus a nice separate socket set.
http://www.c34.org/projects/images/35511_04.jpg
Plus a soft Sears bag for electrical stuff. Plus a nice separate socket set.
I use 2 tool boxes that fit on on top of the other under the settee in front of the Hot Water tank.
I use a tool backpack for hand tools and the ziploc hard plastic totes with a gasket for power tools.
Attachments
The prior owner of my boat did some cabinetry including removing the two drawers under the v-berth and adding doors. It's my garage to store spares in individual plastic bins, one overweight tool box, a socket set, cordless drill, small parts bin storage, etc. I'm lucky since all that would otherwise have to be scattered about the boat. I used to haul many tools past the basic ones from home. When I got this boat, I dumped the box at home, did an inventory and duplicated it.
I don't know why, but I'm thinking of removing the stupid porta-potty from my head, and creating shelving to store:
A- tools/heavy crap on the bottom,
B- dry foodstuffs on the middle shelves,
C- sails/ personal items atop.
A- tools/heavy crap on the bottom,
B- dry foodstuffs on the middle shelves,
C- sails/ personal items atop.
On my 49
Not yet, anyway.
The only thing I don't have on board is a milling machine.
Not yet, anyway.
a65sailor,
My wife found this Makita LXT toolbag on Amazon. It is good because it rolls the narrow direction, so I can move it from the aft stateroom laying down to the forward cabin. I usually leave it standing vertically up under the v-berth. That seems to be the least out of the way place and it doesn't interfere with my fluxgate compass that is under the aft berth.
Rather than dumping all my tools in it and then having to rummage for everything, I organized it with plastic storage containers with removable dividers or no dividers. I think I have five of them....one is for pliers or the like kind, one for all screwdrivers, one for 1/4" and 3/8" sockets (metric and SAE) with their handles and extensions, a miscellaneous, one for larger open end wrenches (metric and SAE and adjustable). Then there is room for the metric and SAE wrenches in their own plastic carrier with handle and a set of metric flare nut wrenches good for working on the diesel fuel line fittings. Bigger, longer tools like a hammer and aluminum pipe wrench just lay alongside the containers. There is a holster shaped pocket inside for a cordless drill. Its charger and extra battery fit nearby. Drill bits are in plastic cases in one other inside pocket. I have an impact driver (the kind of screwdriver you hit with a hammer) in the one pocket on the outside.
Its easy to lay the tool bagdown on the cabin sole, unzip and I can pull out the appropriate storage container and find the tool(s) I need as they are always only one layer thick. When I stand it up nothing goes crashing about and ends up in a pile at the bottom.
I've been pretty happy with the arrangement, albiet, it is heavy because i love my tools and probably pushes the bow down in the water a little more. Containerizing makes for easier retrieval rather than the digging and unloading when I just had a conventional deep tool box with a tray.
Allan
My wife found this Makita LXT toolbag on Amazon. It is good because it rolls the narrow direction, so I can move it from the aft stateroom laying down to the forward cabin. I usually leave it standing vertically up under the v-berth. That seems to be the least out of the way place and it doesn't interfere with my fluxgate compass that is under the aft berth.
Rather than dumping all my tools in it and then having to rummage for everything, I organized it with plastic storage containers with removable dividers or no dividers. I think I have five of them....one is for pliers or the like kind, one for all screwdrivers, one for 1/4" and 3/8" sockets (metric and SAE) with their handles and extensions, a miscellaneous, one for larger open end wrenches (metric and SAE and adjustable). Then there is room for the metric and SAE wrenches in their own plastic carrier with handle and a set of metric flare nut wrenches good for working on the diesel fuel line fittings. Bigger, longer tools like a hammer and aluminum pipe wrench just lay alongside the containers. There is a holster shaped pocket inside for a cordless drill. Its charger and extra battery fit nearby. Drill bits are in plastic cases in one other inside pocket. I have an impact driver (the kind of screwdriver you hit with a hammer) in the one pocket on the outside.
Its easy to lay the tool bagdown on the cabin sole, unzip and I can pull out the appropriate storage container and find the tool(s) I need as they are always only one layer thick. When I stand it up nothing goes crashing about and ends up in a pile at the bottom.
I've been pretty happy with the arrangement, albiet, it is heavy because i love my tools and probably pushes the bow down in the water a little more. Containerizing makes for easier retrieval rather than the digging and unloading when I just had a conventional deep tool box with a tray.
Allan
Attachments
My Columbia 36 has a drop in liner, with lots of inaccessible nooks and crannies. I cut the top out of the nav station seat, and keep most of my stuff in there.
One large plastic tool box for major tools . has the little vapor thingie to keep the corrosion at bay. craftsman 3/8 socket set (sae and metric) in a zip pouch. These are in the port side settee storage along with a big Rubbermaid box that fits on top of the tool box. The big sealed box has spares.. impellers, filters, and wiring and crimp connections .. probably 40 pounds all up.. helps with the normal starboard heel of the 34.. Wouldn't be without my tools!
Almost the same as...
Kloudie, without the Rubbermaid box. Engine spares in the aft cabin port side locker under the cushion. Four divider boxes holding SS screws, nuts, bolts, washers, electrical crimps, light bulbs, and small rigging parts were stacked in the companionway cubby above the engine. Same idea for weight distribution.
Kloudie, without the Rubbermaid box. Engine spares in the aft cabin port side locker under the cushion. Four divider boxes holding SS screws, nuts, bolts, washers, electrical crimps, light bulbs, and small rigging parts were stacked in the companionway cubby above the engine. Same idea for weight distribution.
I have
one plastic toolbox for SAE wrenches, sockets etc
another for metric wrenches sockets etc
another for electrical, meters, crimpers, strippers, tape, terminals and electrical consumables (bulbs)
another for "plumbing", packing gland wrenches, pipe fittings, teflon tape and consumables
One sturdy zip closed bag for carrying to on deck/dock/dinghy jobs. Not waterproof but would probably float for 10 minutes if dropped overboard
One container for sealants and adhesives, canvas treatment, zipper lube, liquid wrench, corrosion proofing.
One under bunk area reserved for oil/fuel filters, zincs, oil, distilled water, impellers, gaskets, gasket material, packing material.
Behind the settee for bigger tools like cordless drivers/drills/buffers etc.
One shop vac stored in the dock box.
One container for rigging odds and end, shackles. blocks, wire and tape.
Lots of other stuff I don't remember.
Basically I tend to store by function - mechanical, electrical, plumbing, cutting, drilling etc. It makes it easier to know where to find things.
Oh and lots of nuts bolts etc.
one plastic toolbox for SAE wrenches, sockets etc
another for metric wrenches sockets etc
another for electrical, meters, crimpers, strippers, tape, terminals and electrical consumables (bulbs)
another for "plumbing", packing gland wrenches, pipe fittings, teflon tape and consumables
One sturdy zip closed bag for carrying to on deck/dock/dinghy jobs. Not waterproof but would probably float for 10 minutes if dropped overboard
One container for sealants and adhesives, canvas treatment, zipper lube, liquid wrench, corrosion proofing.
One under bunk area reserved for oil/fuel filters, zincs, oil, distilled water, impellers, gaskets, gasket material, packing material.
Behind the settee for bigger tools like cordless drivers/drills/buffers etc.
One shop vac stored in the dock box.
One container for rigging odds and end, shackles. blocks, wire and tape.
Lots of other stuff I don't remember.
Basically I tend to store by function - mechanical, electrical, plumbing, cutting, drilling etc. It makes it easier to know where to find things.
Oh and lots of nuts bolts etc.
I have a heavy canvas toolbag that I keep under the forward dinette seat (H31). I prefer it to any hardside container because it fits into add-shaped spaces and doesn't bang around when I tack the boat.
Technically, the H31 sleeps 2 forward, 2 aft, 2 by converting the dinette and 1 on the port settee. . . Right. Since the idea of 7 people sleeping on a boat with one head and 26 gallons of fresh water is optimistic, if not apocalyptic, I put an ac dorm reefer and various storage cabinets on the starboard side of the aft berth. Bit of a pain to get to the cabinets at the transom end, but as between not having the multi-tool. dremel, 12v stuff, sealers, etc., and crawling for it, I opted for the latter.
Wufibugs,
I also have a Hunter 31, and would love to see pictures of what you have done to the aft berth. The idea of more storage has me excited. I have still not figured out how to store Dive gear for 4 people on this thing without creating a disaster below decks.