Hi all, I'm looking for ideas on storing and organizing stuff on a small boat for weekend cruises. Mine happens to be a H260, but we all have the same needs. Where do you put what? Have you made any mods or found any gadgets to make storing, organizing and toting stuff to/from the boat easier? Last weekend my family of four spent our first overnight with us all on the boat. The H260 gets small real fast. A pile of sleeping bags/pillows, another pile of sports bags (for clothes, etc.), there wasn't room to sit down! A little thought and diciplin will help us get, and stay, better organized on future trips. I thought that this might be an interesting thread for us to share ideas about what works for storing all the stuff. Here's what I've done, so far: 1. Hung a teak magazine rack in the cabin on the wall at the aft end of the port settee bench. This holds the boat manuals, guides, etc. along with a few navigation tools and a spare set of reading glasses. 2. Hung a winch pocket inside the companion way, port side. 3. I use a plastic bin with a cover to carry non-perishable food and galley utensiles to/from the boat. For short trips, I have a small cooler. The food bin and small cooler fit under the galley counter where the larger cooler usually resides. 4. I'm thinking about getting small head pillows for the boat and leaving them on board. Get (or make) small pillow cases and bring just the case home to wash. Similar concept for bedding... leave the sleeping bags (or just use blankets) on board and carry sheets home to be washed. Please send in your ideas... Fair winds, Tom
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Just bring 1 bag each
I've noticed that there are never enough space on a boat. I've had 26 - 30 - 33 and 40foot cruisers and somehow you want to bring too much with you. In my experience you have to learn to bring just the things you really need. And if you are the same people going out all the tme, you can use a locker of your own, for your things. And each one is allowed 1 peice of small luggage on board. You don't have to bring the keyboard, 5 extra jackets, 3 extra pairs of shoes and so on. Reduce your volume. All those nice-to-have things - leave them behind. Look at the back-packers. They go around the world with 1 or 2 bags and stay out 9 months. Why should I have difficulties over the weekend in a fairly big boat as the 260. toomas
I've noticed that there are never enough space on a boat. I've had 26 - 30 - 33 and 40foot cruisers and somehow you want to bring too much with you. In my experience you have to learn to bring just the things you really need. And if you are the same people going out all the tme, you can use a locker of your own, for your things. And each one is allowed 1 peice of small luggage on board. You don't have to bring the keyboard, 5 extra jackets, 3 extra pairs of shoes and so on. Reduce your volume. All those nice-to-have things - leave them behind. Look at the back-packers. They go around the world with 1 or 2 bags and stay out 9 months. Why should I have difficulties over the weekend in a fairly big boat as the 260. toomas
Some ideas
On my H26, I put plastic dishpans under the settee berths and under the sink and stove. Helps keep things organized and in place. I keep a change of clothes in one that stays on the boat, and then various other things in the others, always with similar items. Small wastebasket works well between head wall and compainway steps and I put a gal jug of bottled water (for tea, etc) behind it. I also use a gear hammock for snacks and other frequently used things. This winter, I plan on making a cabinet with a drawer underneath to fit in the space to the right of the galley, above the aft berth, for dishes, glasses and silverware. I put things I rarely use under the front of the settee and under the V-berth, and if you aren't really using the hanging locker in the head, you could put in shelves for light stuff or clothes. There's really quite a bit of space available, it's more a question of organizing, and as Toomas said, only bringing esentials. For instance, give each person a bin under the settee for the stuff they bring in a bag..then leave the bags in the car. I just bring my stuff in plastic grocery bags and carry a laundry bag I hang on the head door, then use the plastic bags in the trashcan. Keep some clothespins for hanging towels, swimsuits on the lifelines when wet. And remember, preperation is 3/4ths of the battle. Fair winds, John
On my H26, I put plastic dishpans under the settee berths and under the sink and stove. Helps keep things organized and in place. I keep a change of clothes in one that stays on the boat, and then various other things in the others, always with similar items. Small wastebasket works well between head wall and compainway steps and I put a gal jug of bottled water (for tea, etc) behind it. I also use a gear hammock for snacks and other frequently used things. This winter, I plan on making a cabinet with a drawer underneath to fit in the space to the right of the galley, above the aft berth, for dishes, glasses and silverware. I put things I rarely use under the front of the settee and under the V-berth, and if you aren't really using the hanging locker in the head, you could put in shelves for light stuff or clothes. There's really quite a bit of space available, it's more a question of organizing, and as Toomas said, only bringing esentials. For instance, give each person a bin under the settee for the stuff they bring in a bag..then leave the bags in the car. I just bring my stuff in plastic grocery bags and carry a laundry bag I hang on the head door, then use the plastic bags in the trashcan. Keep some clothespins for hanging towels, swimsuits on the lifelines when wet. And remember, preperation is 3/4ths of the battle. Fair winds, John
Uses for space
I also use plastic dishpans in the lockers under the settees. I slide more dishpans and net duffel bags into the stbd quarter berth with lines so I can pull them out as needed. I try to keep the main cabin and forepeak seats as clear of stuff as possible so the boat doesn't feel cluttered. Unused headsails are bagged and go in the locker under the forepeak cushions. Peter H23 "Raven"
I also use plastic dishpans in the lockers under the settees. I slide more dishpans and net duffel bags into the stbd quarter berth with lines so I can pull them out as needed. I try to keep the main cabin and forepeak seats as clear of stuff as possible so the boat doesn't feel cluttered. Unused headsails are bagged and go in the locker under the forepeak cushions. Peter H23 "Raven"
Wire storage racks
I converted a hanging locker on my 93 h27 to a food pantry. I keep non-perishables in it and leave them onboard all season. The racks are inexpensive laundry, kitchen and bath racks from home depot. There is a large variety of sizes and adds some space and organization. See attached Photo. Ward
I converted a hanging locker on my 93 h27 to a food pantry. I keep non-perishables in it and leave them onboard all season. The racks are inexpensive laundry, kitchen and bath racks from home depot. There is a large variety of sizes and adds some space and organization. See attached Photo. Ward
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storage
On the Hunter Forum, under "Photos/Projects", owners have posted pictures of storage solutions. There is interesting pics on a H240 that I hope to implement on my H26.
On the Hunter Forum, under "Photos/Projects", owners have posted pictures of storage solutions. There is interesting pics on a H240 that I hope to implement on my H26.
Added Shelf
On my H35.5 I added the shelf from the newer models plus a wine glass holder under it. This allowed me to move dishes and glasses out of the cupboards. Now I have more room in the galley area.
On my H35.5 I added the shelf from the newer models plus a wine glass holder under it. This allowed me to move dishes and glasses out of the cupboards. Now I have more room in the galley area.
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Under the Table
The underside of the 26/260 table offers some storage opportunities. I built a suspended shelf under the table to store the companionway hatchboards when sailing.
The underside of the 26/260 table offers some storage opportunities. I built a suspended shelf under the table to store the companionway hatchboards when sailing.
leave it off the boat.
People bring too much stuff. In Florida, you can go just about anywhere in shorts, tee shirts and deck shoes. Leave the rest at home.
People bring too much stuff. In Florida, you can go just about anywhere in shorts, tee shirts and deck shoes. Leave the rest at home.
Shirt, Shoes?
I do not go to those fancy places that require them so that saves room there. We found fleece sleeping bags at Wally World they roll up no bigger than a half gallon of milk. Small pillows help but make it tough for me to sleep well. We use laundry baskets to bring stuff to the boat and to store the stuff on the boat. they will stack when empty and are somewhat malleable to make things fit. Taking stuff off the boat helped the most. I bought a Rubbermaid storage closet doohicky that I put in the garage for all of the boat stuff. I was amazed that I had so much stuff on the boat that I do not need on every trip. Guess the easiest solution is to buy a bigger boat.
I do not go to those fancy places that require them so that saves room there. We found fleece sleeping bags at Wally World they roll up no bigger than a half gallon of milk. Small pillows help but make it tough for me to sleep well. We use laundry baskets to bring stuff to the boat and to store the stuff on the boat. they will stack when empty and are somewhat malleable to make things fit. Taking stuff off the boat helped the most. I bought a Rubbermaid storage closet doohicky that I put in the garage for all of the boat stuff. I was amazed that I had so much stuff on the boat that I do not need on every trip. Guess the easiest solution is to buy a bigger boat.
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