Closed off my splashwell

416rigby · Posted: Sun Oct 28, 2012 7:19 pm Post subject: Closed off my splashwell

I got real tired of the bending over to gut/filet fish in the splashwell. I was killin' my back. I also wanted to improve the wasted space here, so I looked through all the tables folks have made for this area and gathered ideas. I then made a prototype out of a sheet of OSB that I had lying around. I needed to work out any issues first. The actual table was made from 1/2" poly. A local restaurant supply place had cutting board material in 4x8 foot sheets and the whole project was right under 300 bucks, including stainless hardware. I screwed the pieces together with #6 inch and a quarter screws. Added a couple rod holders I had, and we're set up even better for trolling.

What a huge difference in usable space. It's awesome. It can be removed easily by tilting it into the cockpit until the locking hinges disengage and simply slide it sideways and off it comes. I'm sure there will be some tweaking, but I'm pretty happy with it.

Rick

Here's a peek. Pics in our projects album.

thataway · Posted: Sun Oct 28, 2012 7:39 pm Post subject:

Great idea! Well done.

Lanlocked · Posted: Sun Oct 28, 2012 8:04 pm Post subject:

What a cool Idea.

Do you have any more pictures? I could use it double duty to hold my Honda EU200 Gen set.

Sunbeam · Posted: Sun Oct 28, 2012 8:39 pm Post subject:

hardee · Posted: Sun Oct 28, 2012 8:39 pm Post subject:

Rick, nice job, great to see it finished. Now you have storage space below it too. And keep the water from coming over the splashwell.

Harvey
SleepyC Moon

nordicstallion · Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2012 12:50 pm Post subject:

Now that's cool.handy in so many ways, great job! Vern/C-Dog

hambone · Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2012 6:16 pm Post subject:

Very Nice Rick,

I too have been working on ideas for this space. It's Totally wasted space for us fisherman. I like your idea and have saved the pics. Maybe build the same with a bleeding box and bait box with lids. Have everything drain into the splash well. Thanks for sharing as this may have to be my winter time project. Smile

I really like how you have the hinges so they will come off for cleaning or storage. Also If I ever do sell Sea Wolf there's no major changes if someone wants an original boat. Again very nice.

rogerbum · Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2012 6:20 pm Post subject:

Mike - this image in his folder should make it more clear. The locking hinges are designed so that when the piece is rotated, it can be slipped off to one side.

416rigby · Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2012 6:37 pm Post subject:

I'd strongly suggest making up an OSB or plywood working prototype so you can try various ideas before going with the real thing. I just nailed it together with my brad gun. Easy to modify with another variation. Then you can make cardboard patterns for your final product.

Originally I wanted it to hinge on the centerline as well, so I could bleed/gut into the splashwell and keep the cockpit clean. In the end I went with the simpler version. I got the hinge idea from a table I saw at the local marina on a center console boat.

Future additions will be a washdown system and scent bottle storage. I'm thinkin' a small fence on the aft edge is in order, too. I can see a nice king slipping out of my hands and ending up back in the water. Rolling Eyes

Wandering Sagebrush · Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2012 7:43 pm Post subject:

Rick, that is really nice! Great idea!

chromer · Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2012 8:36 pm Post subject:

How do find using the downriggers aft in that config?

hambone · Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2012 9:27 pm Post subject:

416rigby · Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2012 9:29 pm Post subject:

The aft corner mount location works fine. Mounting the downriggers where they are wasn't my first choice, but when we bought the boat it was set up for tuna fishing and had 2 pairs of rod holders flush mounted. One pair where the riggers are now, facing straight aft, and another pair facing 45 degrees aft. I suppose I could have mounted them where the forward holders are, but we like having our rods a bit forward of the riggers instead of on the booms, so it works for us.

Downrigger location was not bad with the manuals, but the electric is no trouble at all. One good thing is that we're well clear of the prop when we're turning.

Rick

416rigby · Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2012 9:37 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the kind words. This is fun stuff. We all borrow ideas from each other. Just another reason I love this place.

416rigby · Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2012 10:14 pm Post subject:

Mike, those fish bags are totally the way to go, eh? We love ours. Doesn't take up any floor space. Your bleed box idea is similar to what I was thinking of...a tuna tube. I think a length of 10" diameter plasic pipe mounted vertical with a bottom full of small holes would work great. Cut the gills and drop the fish head first into the tube and he can't go anywhere and the mess goes overboard from the splashwell. I'm really leaning toward something like that. Then into the fishbag he goes.