Overhead storage closure

matt_unique · Posted: Fri Oct 12, 2007 5:05 pm Post subject: Overhead storage closure

I found some great pictures over the last few months but for the life of me can't find the owners....I want to add a piece of wood in the overhead chart storage area (for lack of a better description). This essentially closes the overhead storage area and provides a great area to mount brass fixtures like clocks, barometer, radio, etc.

With that, who has closed off the overhead storage area with a piece of wood? I would like to look at your pictures and bounce some ideas off you.

Thanks!

Valkyrie · Posted: Fri Oct 12, 2007 5:33 pm Post subject:

On Valkyrie, I put a piece of teak (a fiddle, to some) across the shelf to keep charts, chart books and so on in place in a seaway. It is not completely closed.

Picture in our album.

Nick
"Valkyrie"

matt_unique · Posted: Fri Oct 12, 2007 10:10 pm Post subject: Overhead

That looks great.

I want to do that but with a full enclosure so I can put in some gauges, music radio, etc. I also might want a small portion to store charts if I can make it look good.

Alyssa Jean · Posted: Fri Oct 12, 2007 10:21 pm Post subject:

This is what I did on the 25.

This is what I did on the 22.

Discovery · Posted: Sat Oct 13, 2007 8:55 am Post subject:

Discovery"s overhead console.

Another look after the swing down TV monitor was mounted.

drjohn71a · Posted: Sat Oct 13, 2007 10:05 am Post subject:

Matt,

Those enclosure ideas really look great, but when we were up there on Puget Sound in December, we had alot of condensation drip coming from around the ceiling bolts/nuts up on that shelf and finally had to put towels up there to contain it. It condensed less with air moving around that shelf area with a fan.

So, I am wondering - How do the ppl who have enclosed that area handle the condensation up there?

John

matt_unique · Posted: Sat Oct 13, 2007 10:47 am Post subject: Nice!

Those all look great! I planned to put my radar and other electronics forward on the roof, so it would be great to have that area visually closed off where the cables come into the cabin. Plus of course the extra space to mount barometer, radio, clock, etc. I would love it if I could also somehow setup a box that could stow my nautical charts....

Great point Dr. John about the condensation. It does seem like a lot of condensation to be dripping from your bolts no?

Thanks for the great tips.

Perhaps a stupid question, but how do you go about measuring/cutting a board that fits perfectly flush with the curved ceiling? I have a picture saved (from a C-Brat) who used an oak board and it looks perfectly flush. Also, how do you guys fasten the board? To the "floor" of the overhead storage area or into the roof? Screws?

Thanks

drjohn71a · Posted: Sat Oct 13, 2007 11:11 am Post subject:

Matt,

Yes, that is what I thought... how could that much dripping come from condensation? But, it was cold and rainy all the time we were there, and I've had no leaks or similar problems since being down MidWest and South. Now, maybe this winter in Oklahoma, the problem will re surface.

I think you're on the right direction regarding some way to block off the front of that shelf since it is primarily a "Launch Site" for whatever you've stored up there in rough weather!

John

matt_unique · Posted: Sat Oct 13, 2007 11:48 am Post subject:

Doryman · Posted: Sat Oct 13, 2007 1:56 pm Post subject: Re: Nice!

Captains Cat · Posted: Sat Oct 13, 2007 6:48 pm Post subject:

Wow, that's cool.

The link is to a Perfect Butt Profile Scriber. Looks like a good tool. Could also be used to make toilet seats... Shocked

Charlie

thataway · Posted: Sat Oct 13, 2007 7:13 pm Post subject:

Boat builders use an object known as a "tic" board" and templets.

The Tic board is often a piece of light plywood or cardboard. It is put on a square, or otherwise reproducable part of the boat, and measurements taken from points on it with battons or a ruler. These measurements are then used to make a templet out of cardboard or door skins. The templet is then put in place, and trimed exactly. To get the exact fit, a compass (not the nautical time, but the divider type with a lead in one arm) is used to scribe the surface line on the templet.

This process is easier to do than to describe. If there is enough question about how the process works, I could illustrate it--or perhaps some other boat builders have photos from their projects.

The "Butt Scriber does about the same thing as the compass, but the compass can work to closer tollerances.

Doryman · Posted: Sun Oct 14, 2007 4:29 pm Post subject:

Alyssa Jean · Posted: Sun Oct 14, 2007 6:41 pm Post subject:

On my 22 I just made a template out of cardboard and kept trimming until it was a perfect fit. SS screws with finish washers attached from the bottom of the existing shelf up into the bottom of the face plate. This also makes it very easy to remove in the event you need to get in there in the future. The face on the 22 was only about 3 1/2 inches high to the roof as I remember, so four 1 3/4 screws held it in very securely.

As for condensation, I have never experienced it anywhere other than in the cuddy cabin and only then when I haven't left a window cracked so the exhaled moist air can escape. If you have 3-4 people in there it could be a problem.

thataway · Posted: Sun Oct 14, 2007 6:57 pm Post subject:

Door skins are 1/8 inch plywood--often Luan (A soft Phillipine Mahogany) which are the size of a door--often 6'6" x 32" etc. many times they have blemishes and can be obtained for a reasonable price.

As you make a template with a tick board--or even the device noted above, it will not be "perfect"---that is reflect every dip and valley in the interior fiberglass laminate. Scribing with the comapss, is using a point which is lead pencil thick--so it will follow very dip and hump--thus giving a perfect fit.

Using the tic board and compass, is much faster than the trial and error method of making a template. This is used in all types of boat construction: glass, wood, metal, and ferrocement---never built a reed boat--but I suspose it could be done there too...