Increased Storage

[Tom Little]

Our TomCat is used for cruising and we normally anchor out. Finding accessable storage for cruising over several weeks has been a challenge. In our album are pictures of some of our ideas.
We made overhead storage racks with hardwood ends and wooden dowels. They are light and provide plenty of mildew free ventilation. They are glued to the overhead and have been up three years. We store curtains, screens, towels and other lighter bulkier items.
The under sink storage area required removable storage so as to provide access the the plumbing and under deck pumps. The self contained drawers stack nicely and stay in place even in rough conditions.
The area underfoot in front of the helm seat was enclosed and provides a comfortable foot rest as well as a generous storage area. The top lifts up and out. We use this area for navigational items as well as flares, spotlight, and tools.
The under deck areas in front of the mates seat and under the dinette has been fitted with plastic boxes which fill the space. While we have never had the need, the boxes are water resistant.
Under the rear dinette seat we have a slide out shelf with space along side for taller items.
All these items were purchased at Lowes, Home Depot or Walmart.
In the cockpit, the live bait well was cut out and that area provides ample on deck dry storage once the top was replaced with a water tight hatch.

Our cruising life style requires 110v electricity while anchored out. While we use our Honda generator for time to time, most of our electricity demands with a 3000w inverter powered by two 6v sealed batteries, located under the aft dinette seat. The batteries are recharged by the port engine when underway and by the generator at anchor and by shore power at the dock. The inverter is adequate to run the microwave, or coffee pot, or an electric skillet one at a time. Therefore we do not have to endure the generator noise most nights.

[BrentB]

great
thanks for sharing