www.iFourWinns.com

Just picked this boat up used. I am a product designer, and truly appreciate the many fine details FW incorporated into this boat. However, I can't believe they didn't put a closable compartment of some sort at the helm for me to put my wallet, keys & phone. Has anyone done anything creative to solve this shortcoming?

That's what the glove compartment is for

_________________
1981 Columbia 8.7
2015 Yamaha FZR - 87mph - sold
2006 Yamaha GP1300R - sold
2003 Chaparral 215 SSI - sold
2009 Stingray 195CS - sold
2000 Four Winns H180 - sold
1976 O'day Daysailer II - sold
Rick's Four Winns H180 Mods/Upgrade Thread

Funship doesn't have a glove compartment....

Couple of ideas:
I put a rectangular wicker basket in the head area on the "ledge" and added some small suction cups on the bottom (home depot, I think) - not sure if the 234 has the same ledge, but it probably does. That's where I keep my papers, wallet, maps, etc.
Someone else (Cap'n Morgan possibly) posted something a while back with a document pouch that could be mounted somewhere - I've been thinking about doing the same and attaching it to the inside of the door for the helm storage area.
http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/st ... sNum=50760
http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/st ... sNum=50760

Welcome to the forum, by the way. Post some pics of your boat!

Erik

_________________
2002 Funship 214
VP 5.7 GX Si
2003 Tahoe

Oh that's just odd.

Browse around a West Marine. They got some suction cup holders in the accessory department. Personally I would see about mounting something to the boat

_________________
1981 Columbia 8.7
2015 Yamaha FZR - 87mph - sold
2006 Yamaha GP1300R - sold
2003 Chaparral 215 SSI - sold
2009 Stingray 195CS - sold
2000 Four Winns H180 - sold
1976 O'day Daysailer II - sold
Rick's Four Winns H180 Mods/Upgrade Thread

EvilZ -- thanks for the idea. I actually thought of doing exactly that, but your links were really helpful and a couple of nice choices. I'll probably go with the one that will hold maps. Somehow, though, I'm still feeling I want some sort of smallish glovebox storage within my reach as I'm driving. Probably because my other boat (until I sell it...) has one.

I was told by the dealer that a lot of boats these days are coming with these dry tubes with screw off lid. I'm thinking of looking into something like that and installing in front of my cup holder.

Oh...and here's a picture of my boat!

Agreed - I have one of these http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/st ... sNum=50760
that sits just forward of my drink holder and that's where I usually have my cell phone and VHF.

Nice boat! It's always good to have a new Funship on here - we're certainly the minority!

_________________
2002 Funship 214
VP 5.7 GX Si
2003 Tahoe

Thanks! I really like it -- color scheme and all.

What I'd ideally like to do is install something truly built in that fits with the aesthetics of the boat and looks like it came from the factory. I found a few glove boxes looking around last night, but not sure (boat is in storage at the moment) of what will fit/work best. I'm kinda thinking that something will either go in the shelf forward of the cupholder or more likely in the knee wall below the dash. Here are some links to some candidates:

https://www.absolutemarine.co.nz/products/?id=3752
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Marine-Boat-Starboard-Storage-Compartment-Glove-Box-/260869997486?pt=Boat_Parts_Accessories_Gear&vxp=mtr&hash=item3cbd1043ae
http://www.ebay.com/itm/T-H-MARINE-DESIGNER-SERIES-GLOVE-BOX-/250839452735?pt=Boat_Parts_Accessories_Gear&vxp=mtr&hash=item3a67324c3f
http://www.ebay.com/itm/270840949813?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2648
http://www.ssicustomplastics.com/everything.htm


I really like the tilt out model on this page:
http://www.olympic-boats.com/490sx_optional.htm

Anyway...you get the idea. Just gonna keep looking until I get the right price/feature balance.

Finally found something I think will work. GLS had some Sea Ray locking gloveboxes on ebay for a price that I liked...$49 including shipping. They have several more if anyone else wants to grab one. I plan to try to squeeze it into the sidewall at the helm, on the little wall above the cupholder. If it doesn't fit there, I'll probably put it on the knee wall -- though I really want to keep that area clear for a 10" sub. Here's a pic:

Not sure if anything here would work better than the E-bay glovey, but might be worth a look.

http://greatlakesskipper.com/category-1 ... boxes.html

_________________
One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

Yeah, I've looked through there many times. It's fun in a similar way to a flea market or something -- maybe you'll stumble onto something really useful. I bought my stainless wake tower and now this glovebox from them, so I'm definitely a fan.

I'm hoping the width of the one I bought doesn't keep me from fittng it in that sidewall space. That's where I want it.

There's gotta be something better out there then the 1970's style black plastic lock glove box posted above.

_________________
1981 Columbia 8.7
2015 Yamaha FZR - 87mph - sold
2006 Yamaha GP1300R - sold
2003 Chaparral 215 SSI - sold
2009 Stingray 195CS - sold
2000 Four Winns H180 - sold
1976 O'day Daysailer II - sold
Rick's Four Winns H180 Mods/Upgrade Thread

.

_________________
One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

I didn't love the black lock, but otherwise its dimensions and simple styling suited me OK. I did find a few others out there that I liked a little better (stainless hardware and such), but seems like those were typically $160-$200+. Just not wanting to spend that much on this thing that really isn't going to be out in a featured area anyway. $49 and done, assuming it doesn't look like crap when I get it...

BTW, I might even spray the black lock if I can get a good match in some plastic paint. I have some around that might work. I think I have some beige/tan plastic/vinyly spray that might make it look a little less generic. If it really grates my nerves then I could always replace that latch with something more snazzy.

Haven't installed it yet...but here's a look at basically where I plan to put it:



One thing I didn't notice before is that the sidewall of th boat is not really flat -- it's slightly curved.



I'm planning to go ahead and go with it anyway. The lip of the box has a little flex that I'm hoping will allow it to cinch down OK. Worst case I have to gasket somehow. Hopefully not...

Overall I'm satisfied with color, shape, etc -- yes, even the black knob looks OK! I do plan to heat the passenger info label to try to remove it cleanly and relocate it more to the right. Really hoping it looks pretty much like a factoy job when I'm done.