[Public-List] 2nd installment changes for cruising

[John Flanders]

Richard, thank you for this.
Photographs would be a most helpful addition to your description.
John
# 624

On 2010-12-05, at 3:08 PM, Richard Mair wrote:

> Hello -
> 
> Apologies for the long break between the last bit we wrote about storage and
> this one.  We needed to take some time for family things, but we’re
> returning to ‘normal’ life now.
> 
> Last time we said we’d talk about the storage in the main cabin in more
> detail (at least, I think that’s what we said).  So here’s an idea of how
> we’ve been doing things.
> 
> Starting on the starboard side, from the forward bulkhead and moving back
> toward the stern:
> 
> Right by the bulkhead we had our fireplace (now removed - to be replaced by
> bookshelf, and a different heater above).  Next to the fireplace and inboard
> of the regular locker, between the bulkhead and table, we constructed a
> ready locker for storing the things we would be using for making meals when
> at sea (we store fresh fruit and vegetables there at other times).  In front
> of the ready locker we turned the space beside the table and close to the
> fireplace into a single seat.  This is a good place to warm up when sailing
> in cold/damp weather, and is small enough to wedge into to take off shoes
> and coats or wet foulies etc. when coming off watch.  The charcoal and wood
> and other fireplace supplies were kept in the locker under the seating area.
> 
> The Alberg table, as you know, is very versatile - it sits in different
> positions, depending on what we are using it for.   We found another use for
> it, by turning the area under the table into storage for large bowls and
> pots and some of our bulky stores.   (I found that storing things we did not
> use frequently in their own bags saved a lot of time and aggravation - we
> could pull them out and use them right away.)  We use a hinged, bolted board
> along the top of what used to be the settee to hold the things stored there
> in place but give us easy access when we need it.
> 
> Between that storage area and the  galley we have a portable cooler,
> strapped in to prevent it moving during travel.  It has some advantages over
> using the built-in cooler - moisture that accumulated inside is easier to
> deal with and it is less awkward to reach into.  Plus the top has cup
> holders, which are sometimes helpful (so long as we are not heeled too far
> over), and it is one more place to rest things when we are preparing food or
> drinks.
> 
> In the upper lockers on that side we store other food supplies, things like
> spices, crackers, dried beans, dried soups, rice etc.  for day-to-day use or
> ready access at sea.  All in waterproof containers, to protect them when
> moisture found its way in.  We store pots and pans and utensils, hung on
> hooks against the hull in the area below.
> 
> In the cabinets behind the sink and stove in the galley we store the usual
> kinds of things - dishes, more spices, cups, glasses, mugs.  We tried
> different things for the cutlery - we made a set of small compartments on
> the counter, then stored them in a container held to the bulkhead by the
> area by bungee cords (thanks, Gord M., for putting the cord there - we
> re-purposed it).  We are going to try storing them in a container with a lid
> let into the counter from now on - that should keep them easy to reach, out
> of the way and clean.
> 
> Many of our tools are kept in the drawer on the starboard side - they are
> heavy, it is low.  Heavier than the contents of the drawer on the port side,
> since this is where we keep the various pieces of documentation for all the
> equipment on board - guarantees and instructions etc. - and other things to
> do with the operation of the boat.  Hopefully this is balanced somewhat by
> all the other things that are stored on the port side...
> 
> On that side the top lockers are used as storage for currently needed
> documents plus a miscellany of other things - envelopes, cards, bags.  The
> area below is storage for magazines, guides, books and some art supplies,
> and has a shelf on part of the top (angled slightly downward to keep the
> books on better when we’re underway) where we keep reference books beside
> the built-in cooler.  This keeps the books easy to reach when we are
> underway, and the settee is being used as our bunk.  We made curtains to
> keep the contents of that area and the books on the shelf in place while we
> are sailing - most of the time they worked well, but we’re rethinking them
> now.  We put bungee cord along the back of the settee, running in a /\/\/\
> shape between top and bottom - having borrowed the idea from Bill, whose
> boat we sailed on in the races during Friendship Weekend on Chesapeake - and
> use them to hold things like extra clothes while under way and cushions
> while at anchor.  We used hooks at the top, so we could unhook the cords
> when we needed, and eyelets at the bottom, below the level of the settee
> cushion, and knotted the cord around each eyelet.  We may replace that
> system with netting we can tuck things into.
> 
> Instead of a single cushion we divided the settee cushion into two so that
> we can get into the lockers below more easily.  Under the cushions we made
> extra space for storing charts, which meant that we raised the cushions
> slightly.  We did this by creating two separate areas framed by 1.5” by 1.5”
> lumber and used plywood to make tops for them, then put an additional piece
> of trim along the front of the settee to hold the cushions in place.  All
> charts are stored in heavy-duty black garbage bags, flat and folded as
> little as possible (though we have to fold them to fit on the table when we
> use it as our chart table!).
> 
> Below the charts, in the locker by the bulkhead, we store the sewing machine
> and some of the fabric we have, plus some of the sailbags, all in waterproof
> bags.  Though we did find out that some should more accurately have been
> called water-resistant.
> 
> After using the built-in cooler as a cooler a few times, we ended up using
> it for food storage of the non-refrigerated type.  Shelves that will help
> make things in there easier to stack and reach are on the list of
> projects...  When he had the boat Gord M. constructed some very useful
> shelves around the cooler, underneath the cockpit seat by the hatch, and
> those we use for storing various small bits of navigation equipment, plus
> binoculars and (again) other miscellaneous stuff.  Cans, sugar and other
> supplies, in waterproof containers, under the floorboards - I think that
> completes the storage in the main cabin.
> Richard and Margaret 609 Into the Blue
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