PROJECT-A-PALOOSA!!! -- Life Jacket Storage Shelf

R

Ray

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C Dory Year
2007
C Dory Model
25 Cruiser
Vessel Name
Seaweed
I am not a very tall guy and didn't need the HUGE space above my head when inside the cabin.

I also have always had trouble finding a good place to stow those "extra" life jackets to keep on board (in addition to our inflatables/vests).

I came up with an open-air shelf to stow the life jackets on that made use of the small space in the raised cabin portion of the headliner where my head could NEVER reach.

Here are some photos of the finished shelf installed.

1024p_shelflookingaft.sized.jpg


I used cherry lumber from ebay with semi-gloss varnish on it.

1024p_shelflookingfwd.sized.jpg


I didn't want to make any holes in the cabin top, so I sized it to fit the existing handrail bolts at the four corners. These are the only attachments so it can be removed later easily.

1024p_shelfcorner.sized.jpg


Four life jackets stow nicely!

1024p_shelfwithjackets.sized.jpg

As before, all photos are in my album with abbreviated text descriptions.

Ray
 
That's really nice! It may be obvious to cabinet-maker types, but how did you join the various pieces of lumber?

Ray":2isd52x2 said:
I am not a very tall guy and didn't need the HUGE space above my head when inside the cabin.
Click to expand...

The first 25 I was on was a "for sale" boat that a friend was looking at. Sort of upside-down from what you did, the previous owner had built an ingenious raised sole (picture the interlocking cardboard sections in a case of wine). At the time I didn't really think that much of it, although I could see it provided nice stowage, and the dinette was easy to get in and out of. Then we went and looked at another 25 that was "stock." Wow, yeah, that's a lotta headroom!

When I was 22 shopping there was one I was very interested in that had a high top. Since I'm not tall I was thinking I'd do something similar to what you did (although it probably would not have been as elegant). I ended up with a regular top though (so now I have to figure out where to stow extra jackets :wink:).

Back to the wood: Do you have a favorite/reputable place you buy from on eBay that you would care to share? (Understood if there is only a small amount and you want to keep it secret like a good fishing hole :D)

Sunbeam
 
that turned out really nice. At first I was wondering what to expect because I prefer as little of what I might consider 'clutter' as possible but those stowed away very nicely. I'd definitely consider this for my boat. I really like the ease of access from a safety standpoint too, very nice job.
 
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