Storage...getting creative

Haddock_ · **Posted:** Sat Feb 28, 2015 5:59 am

Hi

Desperately in need of more storage in the 258 vista. So I went in search of unused cavities...

What is under the forward v-berth floor, under the table mount? Seems to me there ought to be a huge unused space all the way to the inside of the hull? I can see some wooden floorboards extending into the forward most compartment at the same level as the raised floor under the table, but underneath that...

Could consider cutting it up and installing a hatch. Don't want to cut open and find out I was dead wrong...

Mike

JeffLW · **Posted:** Sat Feb 28, 2015 7:15 am

If you pull the table mount out you can see in there. Not much space though.

Haddock_ · **Posted:** Sat Feb 28, 2015 10:16 am

Thanks, will do.

That there isnt mich space doesnt make sense though. Down to the lowest point in the hull in the V there should be at least a foot of space under the table mount, given the profile of the hull.

I'm also looking at the possibility of a bow thruster...need to get to the hull in this area for that anyway.

hutch9900 · **Joined:** Tue Mar 22, 2011 7:14 pm **Posts:** 456

Haddock_ wrote:

Thanks, will do.

That there isnt mich space doesnt make sense though. Down to the lowest point in the hull in the V there should be at least a foot of space under the table mount, given the profile of the hull.

I'm also looking at the possibility of a bow thruster...need to get to the hull in this area for that anyway.

That is quite the project! I wish you well with that, please post pictures when you are finished. What year is your 258 out of curiosity?

Haddock_ · **Posted:** Sat Feb 28, 2015 1:14 pm

hutch9900 wrote:

Haddock_ wrote:

Thanks, will do.

That there isnt mich space doesnt make sense though. Down to the lowest point in the hull in the V there should be at least a foot of space under the table mount, given the profile of the hull.

I'm also looking at the possibility of a bow thruster...need to get to the hull in this area for that anyway.

That is quite the project! I wish you well with that, please post pictures when you are finished. What year is your 258 out of curiosity?

It is an '06. There is some measuring to be done first! And...there is also the 8.1L project too that is slowly progressing

i like to plan carefully and move slowly so it will be some time until there is an update.

babbot1 · **Joined:** Tue Mar 12, 2013 3:46 pm **Posts:** 570

I'm jumping on board this thread because I would like to hear updates on your progress.

I have an '08 and always wondered whats under the steps. I am sure wires and hoses but there may be extra storage there too. I will pull them up this spring to fix the AC vent and take a look.
I was also thinking of putting an aluminum storage box in the engine compartment for tools and extras. I currently put them in the v-berth storage. I hesitate since it is already cramped in there and it needs to be properly secured and no sparks from things banging around inside the box.

Paul I. · **Posted:** Mon Mar 02, 2015 11:37 am

I had a v258. I put in a small locker between the cabin door and the outside trash bin. It was a 12x12x6 deep locker.

Haddock_ · **Posted:** Mon Mar 02, 2015 11:50 am

Babblt1: under the steps into the cabin is a large space, that's where the fresh water pump is. It is not useful for "everyday stuff" as the steps need to come off but for things that are " good to have" like an extra drive belt, oil filter and odd tools - it works fine.

In the space between door and trash bin, there is a big space, I have it filled with a huge electric converter from euro 240V into what the boat wants 120V. I access it through removing the trash bin and just look/reach forwards. Maybe a separator wall has already been removed on my boat?

babbot1 · **Joined:** Tue Mar 12, 2013 3:46 pm **Posts:** 570

Good ideas.
I was thinking if there is storage under the step to put a hinge on it. I will see how hard it is to do that.

Haddock_ · **Posted:** Thu Mar 05, 2015 1:31 pm

Removed the base of the table today and peeked in. Under the mount it is like 16" down the the V. Fuether back, slightly more. There are traces of standing water (leakge in anchor box, nowadays sorted) and about 1/8" at the very bottom that needed drying out. Wood is crisp and dry, no worries there. Likely I will drill a hole behind the shower sump to see if there is more water in the forward bilge that hasnt drained all the way back to the engine room (which is bone dry).

Back on topic: Am starting the storage and bow thruster project now with opening up this space for access. Feels weird putting the saw to the floor but I have a plan...

ric · **Posted:** Thu Mar 05, 2015 1:46 pm

Bow thruster on a 258?

babbot1 · **Joined:** Tue Mar 12, 2013 3:46 pm **Posts:** 570

ric wrote:

Bow thruster on a 258?

I noticed a lot of the boats over 25 feet had bow thrusters at the boat show this year. Four Winns had a 278 with one, I think around $7,000 option from the factory. They are getting more and more common and putting them on smaller and smaller boats.
It sure would come in handy for when the current and wind pick up trying to back into our slip and we start drifting into the boat next to us. My resolution this year will be to put fenders on that side.

ric · **Posted:** Thu Mar 05, 2015 2:04 pm

babbot1 wrote:

ric wrote:

Bow thruster on a 258?

I noticed a lot of the boats over 25 feet had bow thrusters at the boat show this year. Four Winns had a 278 with one, I think around $7,000 option from the factory. They are getting more and more common and putting them on smaller and smaller boats.
It sure would come in handy for when the current and wind pick up trying to back into our slip and we start drifting into the boat next to us. My resolution this year will be to put fenders on that side.

I can buy a lot of fenders for $7000

Haddock_ · **Posted:** Thu Mar 05, 2015 2:57 pm

ric wrote:

Bow thruster on a 258?

We use our boats completely differently. We don't "daycruise" to a cove and tie up alongside others. We run four an hour or two at 30mph to either a remote cove and tie up to a rocky slope. A need here is to be able to at 0,2mph creep towards the rock, wife at the back holding the rear anchor line whilst I guide the boat forwards. If wind is from the side, being able to not loose the line/path intended with the bow is essential as under the surface looms "interesting" rocks and other things...precision is essential. If I get it wrong, we will bump a rock.

The next day we may drive to a marina where in side winds of maybe 5knots I have to thread the boat into a slot of Y-booms, ass first. In a side windd sometimes...a feat that requires exact maneuvring. A bow thruster helps a lot. Hitting someone else's boat is both an embarrassment but also could be $$. Best avoided.

We do this for a week 2+2 adults kids and with an unexperienced and unwilling wife...need both storage (food, clothing, ipads...) and full control (as if I had no help). To make matters more interesting...if a docking situation is "dicey" and stressed it will take me weeks of persuasion to get the family out again...

so...I'm gonna need my thruster.

Long explanation...

ric · **Posted:** Thu Mar 05, 2015 4:26 pm

Haddock_ wrote:

ric wrote:

Bow thruster on a 258?

We use our boats completely differently. We don't "daycruise" to a cove and tie up alongside others. We run four an hour or two at 30mph to either a remote cove and tie up to a rocky slope. A need here is to be able to at 0,2mph creep towards the rock, wife at the back holding the rear anchor line whilst I guide the boat forwards. If wind is from the side, being able to not loose the line/path intended with the bow is essential as under the surface looms "interesting" rocks and other things...precision is essential. If I get it wrong, we will bump a rock.

The next day we may drive to a marina where in side winds of maybe 5knots I have to thread the boat into a slot of Y-booms, ass first. In a side windd sometimes...a feat that requires exact maneuvring. A bow thruster helps a lot. Hitting someone else's boat is both an embarrassment but also could be $$. Best avoided.

We do this for a week 2+2 adults kids and with an unexperienced and unwilling wife...need both storage (food, clothing, ipads...) and full control (as if I had no help). To make matters more interesting...if a docking situation is "dicey" and stressed it will take me weeks of persuasion to get the family out again...

so...I'm gonna need my thruster.

Long explanation...

I will never doubt you again :shock:

www.iFourWinns.com

Storage...getting creative

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