[downeast450]

Anyone have a good solution for storage of and access to their drop boards?

Down

 

[Skipper Jer]

On my previous boat, Hunter 25, I just laid them on the quarter berth. Not idea but they were out of the way. I want to see what others do with them.

 

[newhaul]

I put them on the quarter berth as well out of the way but I can reach them from the cockpit if I need to.

 

[Faster]

Have seen some nice arrangements.. on some of today's companionways the aft cabin/head enclosures leave a flat panel either side of the ladder, on some boats a rack or straps are installed to keep them there vertically stored beside the ladder/hatchway. Very convenient.

Similarly I've seen racks/holders on the inside surface of the cockpit sides right under the cockpit locker lid, and/or stored on the underside of the lid itself.

 

[tsell]

I put them in the lazarrette. Easy to get to and out of the way.

 

[aeventyr60]

I made a Sunbrella bag (from some old stuff) and they stand just inside the companionway secured by some bungy cord material. Easy to get at, out off the way and secure.

 

[three-quartertime]

My previous boat had a wire rack for the stowing the boards. The rack was mounted on a bulkhead inside the cockpit locker. Very convenient. On my current boat, I had a canvas shop make up a sleeve with three pockets for the boards. Keeps the varnished boards from getting beat up. I stow the sleeve in a cockpit locker.

 

[MooGroc]

My boat came with a great solution. A canvas envelope with 3 sections hanging inside the lazarette. Just open the hatch and slip them in. There is no where for them to move to.

 

[jimgo]

On my old boat, I made a bag/case for them. I had some "outdoor" fabric left over from a project and made a big sleeve. In the middle, I folded a towel and could slide the boards in between the folds of the towel. It worked great! I need to make another one for this boat.

 

[jnorten]

Two very seamanlike methods (echoed by others for excellent reasons) that I've personally seen:

1. Just inside the companionway, on any convenient surface, a slim wooden boxlike holder that the boards slip into and out of.

2. Inside of a cockpit lazarette, hang an easy to reach pouch made of very heavy duty fabric. Use velcro to hold it closed.


#2 is my personal favorite--completely out of the way, yet very accessible.

I never really thought about doing anything but throwing the boards on the quarterberth until I saw these nice options.

 

[downeast450]

A three compartment "canvass" pouch hanging in the cockpit lazarette against the cockpit wall is a solution that will suit the space available on my Islander 28 very well.

Thanks to all my sailnet friends for these excellent suggestions. The space I have been using in the quarter birth won't be available after a couple of other mods that are taking place this winter.

Down

 

[Ajax_MD]

My previous boat had a wire rack for the stowing the boards. The rack was mounted on a bulkhead inside the cockpit locker. Very convenient. On my current boat, I had a canvas shop make up a sleeve with three pockets for the boards. Keeps the varnished boards from getting beat up. I stow the sleeve in a cockpit locker.

I just refinished my hatch boards and was pondering how to preserve them.
I have some blown-out sails just begging to be recycled. Thanks for the great idea.

 

[Delta-T]

I made a stainless steel pouch in the Port lazarette adjacent wall to the cockpit. 30" long, 4" wide and 10" deep. Lined it with a rubber mat like that use under carpet for non skid.

 

[TQA]

I made a rack for the boards and they sit there on passage.



I do have solid ones stored below next to the companionway in a wallet and secure in a locker.

Yes I know I have the badge of shame, an offset companionway but it does have a 9 inch sill.

 

[capecodda]

+ 1 for the cockpit lazarette solution.

Down, I wish I could remember canvas company that did it for me, but they are in your neighborhood and used by my favorite boat builder.

 

[downeast450]

+ 1 for the cockpit lazarette solution.

Down, I wish I could remember canvas company that did it for me, but they are in your neighborhood and used by my favorite boat builder.

Thanks Capecodda,

I need a sewing project.

Down

 

[jackdale]

In blue water I stow them in the companionway - just in case.

Since I sail OPBs I see lots of options. My favourite were slots on a bulkhead in an aft cabin. Slots in a locker / lazarette are nice as well.

 

[socal c25]

I have a small boat a Coronado 25 which has 1 hatch big board that is a pain in the arse to find a good place for it so I am going to make a 2 piece hatch and I will make a wooden box (envelope) and attach it to the side of the companion way ladder. They will store vertically in a padded pockets. Now to the drawing board....

 

[fred1diver]

I have a small boat a Coronado 25 which has 1 hatch big board that is a pain in the arse to find a good place for it so I am going to make a 2 piece hatch and I will make a wooden box (envelope) and attach it to the side of the companion way ladder. They will store vertically in a padded pockets. Now to the drawing board....

why not just cut it in half, make your cut at a 45° bevel and you have a nice set of hatch boards at a real low cost

 

[SJ34]

why not just cut it in half, make your cut at a 45° bevel and you have a nice set of hatch boards at a real low cost

Good suggestion. Just be sure you add back the waste lost in the cutting or they may not fit right. I refinished mine last year, got a little too aggressive with the sander on the edges and opened a sizable gap at the top..DOH!