www.iFourWinns.com

I'm thinking of creating a larger storage locker for our BBQ in the aft 'room'. Currently there is a small flip up compartment in the aft quarters (those with a 328 or 298 will know what I mean) which is maybe 8"Hx36"L. It extends out into the engine compartment above the starboard fuel tank, which is aluminum.
I took it out to complete some wiring last year and realized that there is a LOT of unused space above the fuel tank - my thought is to enlarge the opening to maybe 18"Hx48"L, and creating a sealed 'box' that will rest on top of the tank. Due to the amount of space back there, it can be up to 24" deep.

My possible concerns and questions are:
1. Is there any issue placing a plywood box with a total filled weight of say 50lbs on the top of the tank? It seems plenty strong to hold that small weight. I'll ensure there is no metal contact via screws to the tank and that the support structure allows air to pass between the wood and aluminum.
2. Is it possible that the 1/4" fiberglass wall that I'd be cutting into could somehow weaken the boat structure? I'm thinking it's just a divider and not part of the structure.

If I can make this work it would open up a whole lot of new storage where there was previously wasted space.

Opinions?

Steve.

_________________
1969 Chris Craft Commander 47
1999 Four Winns 328 Vista - SOLD

I know the storage compartment you mean and I'm sure you could adapt something, but I'm not sure you would want a BBQ being stored inside the cabin area. They can get pretty stinky and dirty, so I would be concerned about the odor of it permeating into your cabin.
We store our BBQ in the transom storage locker. We put a wood slat floor in there and it's very convenient, there's also no chance of any odor coming into the cabin or cockpit areas from it.

_________________
2004 Four Winns 298 Vista
"Last Minute"

There is a lot of wasted space where you are talking about, but we usually have sadle floats, flip flops and passenger acessories under the seats though.

Do you take your grill down after each weekend? The top of our grill is flat and that makes a decent place to park a couple adult beverages. The only time I take mine off is to clean it.

_________________

Lakebum
2006 378 Vista
Nashville, TN
Current
04 Hustler Cheetah
06 Seadoo sportster 150
Past
06 378 vista
328 vista
240 horizon
21' glastron
20' celebrity

We have a pedestal mount on the swim platform so I take it off and put it up for each use. I wouldn't trust the mount to hold it while under power. We have a bag for the grill and currently keep it under the table in the cabin already, no issues with the smell - but I'm tired of seeing it there all the time. I don't think ours would fit in the transom locker - I do keep the little propane canisters in there, and have re-routed the drain into the scupper drain so any water or propane would go overboard instead of into the bilge.
Where do you mount it if you leave it there all the time? The only location i can think of is the grab bar on the transom, but that would get in the way for me.

Steve.

_________________
1969 Chris Craft Commander 47
1999 Four Winns 328 Vista - SOLD

We keep our in the transom locker, but you must have a larger grill. Friend of our with a 328 have a larger magma grill that they also have no room for so it gets stored in the aft, but they don't ever have anyone sleep there.
If you do the modification take pics you might have a lot of doing it when your done

_________________
2001 328 Vista "Nauta Dream 2"
AB Inflatable 10AL "Little Dreamer"
2000 248 Vista
1997 225 Sundowner


Mike