[MedSailor]

While my new (to me) Nauticat 40 is nearly perfect in every way (to me) one thing she does not have in abundance is lazarette storage. She has an opening bench on port and stb and that's it.

I noticed that aft of the opening benches, are more seating areas, but they do not have hinged lids. Further investigation reveals that these spaces are voids and are not used or accessible from below either. I would like to figure out the best way to turn these into more lazarette storage. Paying a yard to turn them into hinged seats is probably out of the que$tion.

Think there are drugs in there??

MedSailor

 

[Stumble]

Med,

My one concern is that in the event of a roll they are probably accounted for in stability calculations.

That being said i would absolutely consider converting them into storage. I would probably start by using a fiber optic camera to confirm that the space is really unused however.

 

[MedSailor]

Med,

My one concern is that in the event of a roll they are probably accounted for in stability calculations.

That being said i would absolutely consider converting them into storage. I would probably start by using a fiber optic camera to confirm that the space is really unused however.

Good thought, but I gots me a LOT of boyant freeboard back there with this cockpit being above a standing-height aft cabin. I think I'll be okay. Still, I plan for a waterproof option.

MedSailor

 

[PaulinVictoria]

I'd go with an access port of some description on the inboad face - strong, watertight and doesn't involve any glasswork (other than some cutting), or ruining your nice seat tops.
Either that or fit one of these to your cabin top

 

[aeventyr60]

Chainsaw time.

 

[GeorgeB]

My first thought was to open up the bulkhead between the existing lazarette and the “hidden space”. But it looks like some shrouds tie in there and it might make that bulkhead structural. You could go with a large Beckson style hinged port on the inside edge. Not ideal, but relatively cheap and shouldn’t compromise the structural integrity of that area.

 

[tdw]

Med .... would it be all that hard to simply cut an opening into one of the vertical faces and add a hinged 'door'. Alternatively aren't there off the shelf lockers with hinged door/hatch ?

 

[tdw]

This is the sort of thing I was talking about. they do them with or without a box behind.

This is an Oz site but there has to be a US version.

Storage Hatches

 

[aeventyr60]

A hatch from Bowmar on the vertical surface facing the cockpit could work.

check out these:

Bomar - Hatches - Access

 

[tdw]

I've noticed that there is some question over the waterproofing of those Italian hatches I linked to. I reckon Aev's suggestion is a more workable option.

 

[MedSailor]

Good points all around. Start with a colonoscopy, avoid the load bearing bulkhead (hadn't considered that one) and those Bomar hatches look like just the ticket!

Fiberglass work and expense avoided! Thanks everyone!
MedSailor