What's this Locker for?

[LakeShark]

So in waiting for the boat to come back from the shop I am going through my to do / improvement list and this one popped up in my mind today. This locker is located next to the snk on my Catalina 22 and it has a small fiberglass lip under the wood hatch but it just drops down into the hull. I was thinking about trying to find a trashcan to put in there but I am sure this must have had a purpose from the factory or they would not have put it in so what is it intended for? I don't think it was an ice box as the cooler is the cabin step so there would be no need for 2 iceboxes.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Food storage.

 

[Jackdaw]

Older boat designs (before 3D CAD existed) often had two things:

1) 'Dead' areas of interior volume that were inaccessible
2) 'Cubbies to nowhere', little seemingly random storage areas

Once boat designers starting using 3D CAD software, they got better at space utilization.

 

[Ron20324]

There's ALWAYS a need for more fridge storage.

 

[T_Cat]

It is for a garbage can. Rubbermaid has stopped making the can that fit. I'm lucky to still have the original in great shape.

Russ

 

[LakeShark]

It is for a garbage can.

Funny that's what I want to use it for. You don't happen to have the dimensions of the can you're using that is discontinued do you? I can measure the opening but I am wondering on the depth, and lip style. Hopely I can find / fabricate something that will work. Also how does it handle the weight on that little lip in the hatch?

 

[Gene Neill]

It's a very ordinary looking office-size garbage can by Rubermaid, 8.5" x 14" rim, 15" deep. It handles the weight fine. It's a dirty shame they can't be found any longer. I prize ours, and handle it like cut crystal.

My only thought would be to find a similar trash can (or recycling can, or whatever) with the next smaller rim size, then make a plywood cutout for that rim, and fasten the new cutout to the underside of the existing countertop. Then the new receptacle would drop right in.

But I recall @bushav needed one when he bought his boat, and it seems to me he found something. Maybe he'll chime in.

 

[bushav]

I did find a Tupperware file holder that's fits good enough. Go to 14612 restoration thread. There is a pic of label there.

Lane

 

[Leeward Rail]

My only thought would be to find a similar trash can (or recycling can, or whatever) with the next smaller rim size, then make a plywood cutout for that rim, and fasten the new cutout to the underside of the existing countertop. Then the new receptacle would drop right in.

+1 this is what I'd likely do, if I didn't have the original garbage can insert.

That said, I've been thinking of making mine into a hyper insulated cooler, but am not sold on the idea.

 

[Jacktar]

Try everything for a dollar store, they have small bathroom waste cans about that size.

 

[All U Get]

If there isn't room for a cooktop, how about a pop up flat screen TV? Like the little spaces. My wife hides wine and all kinds of stuff in them.

All U Get