Creative Storage

[QuickMick]

My boat is 30', and I'm trying to think of the best ways to maximize the storage space... all vee berth storage taken by genoas and two spinns.
I do have a hanging closet across from the head (have any of you guys tried those multi item hangers?)... but after that, the cabin storage doesnt seem to afford much. I was thinking of plastic tubs for clothing... sheesh, my tools/backup running take up a fair bit of space themselves!!

I guess my question is, as a liveaboard, do you have any tips for making the most of the space... while I've taken on a spartan life already, I'm just trying to make the most of available space.

thanks!
Quinn

[tager]

A hanked on jib bag frees up a lot of space. Gear hammocks help avoid a case of "any horizontal surface."

[dmtjoy]

I use some of those deflatable bags to store less used soft items in the bildge.
they keep out all of the bad odors.

[QuickMick]

maybe i should use the same technique for my trousers.... hmmmm

[JeffBurright]

On my 30' I use a foredeck bag (hand-sewn FTW) for my jib and stow the spinn/genoa in the curved space between the hull and the back of my port setee cushion (I just used a width of plywood to create the straight back). I use 3 plastic stacking slider drawers from BB&B to store clothes in the quarterberth, and put my shoes in a big tupperware in the space under the vee.

My head is enclosed and makes great storage for things like luggage or a guitar, etc., and at one time I kept my tools in there too. I highly recommend the canvas zippered tool bags to maximize space. I also second the gear hammock suggestion - I keep hats, rain gear, gloves, etc. in one strung on screw hooks across my starboard windows.

I also recently installed a fold-up counter between the sink and setee, and that made a big difference in cooking space/junk accumulation.

The biggest advice though would be to resign yourself to tearing apart the boat from time to time to get at items, and actually use all the nook and cranny spaces under cushions and other hard to reach places. I've spent many a long flight diagramming out the boat's interior space in search of the perfect storage jigsaw. I think I'm getting close . . .

[mitiempo]

I guess I'm lucky. I don't have a quarterberth but have 4 cockpit lockers. I store 5 sails in one. That leaves more of the interior space for tools. And I have a lot of tools. One modification I made which gained some space is I eliminated the head sink. I live alone and it wasn't necessary with the galley7 feet away. It was a sliding counter with a sink in it over the head. Above the sink was a hinged mirror with 4 shallow cubbyholes behind it. I removed that and am installing shelves as the space is from 16" to 20" deep and the cubbyholes were only 8 " deep - talk about unused space. When I bought the boat the original head door was a strange double affair with hinged sections designed to hide the head when not in use and swing to close the doorway in the main bulkhead when it was. It's in my locker and a curtain will replace it. One day I'll use the teak for something. My hanging locker is a large space opposite the head and will probably have a smaller hanging space with shelves beside. It has a door as well but I think it's going to be replaced with a zippered snap on cover. Gear hammocks are good and I have them each side of the v-berth.
Planning where you're going to put items is important. Ultimately my tools are going under the v-berth in plastic containers I will buy to fit the space. You don't want to have to lift up cushions for everyday items. This is good storage for tools, off season clothes and other items you use rarely. Everyday stuff should be easy to get to. Those plastic drawer stacks are good if you have a place for them.
One thing I do is look at Yachtworld and other sites and if I see an idea or look that I like I save it. I've got hundreds of pics separated into files labeled heads, galleys, storage, trim, rigging etc.
Here's a few pics, 2 of hanging lockers and how they were changed and a pic if locker doors thet become shelves when open.

[JeffBurright]

That yachtworld tip is a good idea, but I must argue with your tool placement, as they are most certainly an everyday item when you live aboard.

[mitiempo]

I agree with some tools but I am talking about my routers, electric sanders, crimpers for battery cables, clamps, etc. I built a tool box in the companionway for everyday tools so they're handy to get at.

[scottyt]

my 27 hunter is decent for space. there is a shelf all the way down the sides of the v birth, so i could not do hammocks in there. the quarter birth is filled. under the settees is pretty much waiting for cloths and food if/when i go cruising.

i do want to redo the settee backs as they are open and stuff is seen, same with above the settees. all the little bins look like crap, organized crap

[BluegrassLass]

This will sound quite radical but I removed the engine and components from my Ovni 435 after learning how to sail and realizing that I just don't need it and that it's not worth the work to maintain. This opened up a huge amount of storage.

Of course, you can forget about resale value if you do this. Obviously.