Any tips on creating extra storage on a 240DA?

[Hang on Sloopy]

I am already anticipating problems with too much "stuff" being brought onto the boat. Between myself, wife and two young beautiful children I am afraid we are going to have four pounds of sugar in a three pound bag. Let me know what you have done to create extra space on this smaller craft.

 

[dpvandy01]

Buy a bigger bag:grin:

 

[Hang on Sloopy]

The other thought was leave the wife and kids at home....That was a bad!!!:smt043

 

[Presentation]

We previously owned a 1998 240 Sundancer.

My tips would include:
Add a storage bin in the engine compartment on the starboard side.
Keep items in duffel bags and keep them on the sides in the cabin.
You can store a lot of small items under the trash can.

Ultimately we moved up to a 280 for several reasons but more room was one key reason.

 

[mwph]

Im a new boater & learnin as I go so these may seem elementry but...

If you dont plan on using the anchor the locker can free up a little room.

Cockpit cover, camper canvas & any cleaning supplies stay @ the slip.

Ive never done this but I seen coolers & plastic totes afixed to the swim platform.

Dont know how old your kids are but rule # 3d...If you cant carry it you dont need it.

Something that works well for me is rule # 3c... Everything brought on board must be in a bag/tote of some sort and most of them go in the mid cabin.

 

[Fishnut]

Buy a bigger bag:grin:

And this is how the twofooter disease starts! If I just had two more feet of boat it would be perfect. LOL

Teach your crew how to pack light.
Treat the boat as such and not a storage container.
Attach your bigger cooler to the swim platform.
Send the kids to college, this makes lots of room on the boat.
Send your high schoolers to private school in another state. (This one works really well)
put cushions on the front deck. The custom made ones that are shaped like a wedge so there isn't so much slope to the sides works best. Then you can send the admiral to ride the rail.
I saw the suggestion on storing things in the engine compartment. I keep a tool box, cleaning supplies and extra oil. That's it, unless you like to ruin stuff, imho.
Give everyone a small waterproof duffel bag and say that's it for carry ons. That seems to really cut down on clutter.

How bad can it be plus you are only burning 11-14 gallons per hour compared to the guys with the big vessels? :smt038

 

[Hang on Sloopy]

Tell me more about this custom cushions for the deck.

Some great suggestions.

I am new boat owner and previously did fully understand the 2' disease but I think that I am already getting a few of symptons.

 

[Presentation]

...If you dont plan on using the anchor the locker can free up a little room......

This did remind me of something. The door and front anchor locker is very large relative to the size of the boat. We kept the anchor onboard in this locker plus a second small anchor in the storage locker in the back of the boat, however I would store the fenders in the front anchor locker on top of the anchor. Yes, I needed to remove and replace these items often and yes, it was work, but this was better then taking up space inside the boat. Come to think if it, I also kept a bucket with various brushes and some basin cleaning / polishing supplies in that front locker.

...... I keep a tool box, cleaning supplies and extra oil. That's it, unless you like to ruin stuff, imho......

In the engine compartment I also kept a set of long jumper cables, a spare propeller, and a spare set of hardware for the propeller incase I dropped something as I was changing it. Also a tool to change the propeller. No, I did not keep soft or perishable items in the engine compartment but a propeller and jumper cables take up a lot of space and do just fine down there.

Also, I sold then replaced this spare propeller several times. I kept the propeller onboard to save our day however it ended up saving other peoples day several times.

The jumper cables did get used but I was always the jumper, never the jumpie.

 

[Kurt]

I agree with presentation, I have a 240 and I use a 5 gallon sized tupperwear box in the extra space on the starboard side of the engine compartment. It stores my jump box, tools, cleaning supplies, extra oil, lubes etc. I made an executive decision and removed the table for the deck of our boat which we really did not use. I also mounted the front table to make a full time bed in the berth. My wife has boat only make-up, hair dryer, and useless crap so she does not carry stuff back and forth to the lake only ourselves and BEER.

 

[AndersonAcres]

On our 1997 250 we also used the anchor locker to store fenders and cleaning supplies. The extended swim platform we put on was a great place for a big cooler.

That said, getting the crew to minimize what they bring on board is the best solution. Get them to think minimalistic.

I'm not certain if one suggestion was to have the fore-deck cushions so crew could ride there while the boat was underway. That's not a safe thing, and is illegal in many locales.

 

[vernh59]

If you dont plan on using the anchor the locker can free up a little room.

Maybe I misread this but just in case, I would not leave the dock without an anchor and sufficient line on the boat. I carry two different types of anchor on the bow for different bottom conditions and a spare with line that normally is used on the stern. Anchors are part of your safety equipment. In the event of an emergency they can be the difference between waiting patiently for help to arrive and fighting for your boats life as you drift helplessly. I have watched boaters use anchors to prevent a soft grounding from becoming a very dangerous situation. My .02 cents.

 

[Sea Ray King]

On our 1997 250 we also used the anchor locker to store fenders and cleaning supplies. QUOTE]

I was just curious how you used your anchor locker on the 250. Mine is sealed and has the windlass on top. Does yours not have the windlass?

MJK

 

[AndersonAcres]

Our ground tackle setup didn't include a windlass. We didn't even have any chain.

When I wrote that we used the anchor locker for storage, it was for items in addition to the anchor line. There was plenty of room in there. The anchor was on the bow roller, the anchor line in the anchor locker, and the fenders and other items fit on top of the anchor line. Sorry if I wasn't clear. Maybe put my photo in the urinal as punishment.

 

[Nehalennia]

This did remind me of something. The door and front anchor locker is very large relative to the size of the boat. ............ however I would store the fenders in the front anchor locker on top of the anchor. ......

Hey Doug, I keep two fenders in the Transom Locker and the 2 we typically use in the cockpit. I like your idea as we seldom anchor out. I have the anhor on the bow roller so it doesn't take up space in the anchor locker. So the 2 spares can go in there maybe and I can keep the two we use in the transom locker. Thanks for the idea. This will save some space in the aft settee of the Cockpit.

I know the 260 is not the same boat but it is configured very similarly so I thought I'd chime in, in case it gives you some ideas.
I looked inside my engine bay for storage of things I either rarely use or when I need them they're near where I need them.
Here are two voids that I thought I'd fill.
Area in front of the engine

.....and the area between the Vacuflush holding tank and Vacuum generator

I made a Board in the engine bay and screwed a Rubbermaid tub to it. It holds my spare props, prop wrench, jumper cables, wood plugs, mallot, Motor oil, etc.

.....and then for the area on the starboard side between the Vacuflush holding tank and Vacuum generator I used a duffel bag and strapped it back to make sure it stays away from the engine. I have an inflatable raft, air pump, spare heater hose, spare starter in there

Beneath the cabin sink I installed some wire shelving we found at Target. I used some aluminum tubing to act as risers cut to the proper height going around the legs allowing the shelf to sit level. This gave us some extra room to stack plastic bins for spices, kids coloring stuff and pots/pans, foil for cooking.

 

[Presentation]

Hey Doug, I keep two fenders in the Transom Locker

Yeap, different boats. The 1998 240 Sundancer had no transom locker. Just a small locker on the port side of the boat.

Todd, you’d have a lot more room if you got ride of that big black thing with the pulleys and belt on the front of it.

Good job on the storage ideas and the pictures!

 

[Nehalennia]

...........
Todd, you’d have a lot more room if you got ride of that big black thing with the pulleys and belt on the front of it.

Good job on the storage ideas and the pictures!

You're not suggesting a Sail are you?
Thanks on the compliments. I'm going to redo the board so I have some quick release brackets in case I need to get to that stuff or remove that boat/box quicker. It's sure nice to have the stuff on board but hopefully never need it. This way it's out of the way

 

[Presentation]

You're not suggesting a Sail are you?
Thanks on the compliments. I'm going to redo the board so I have some quick release brackets in case I need to get to that stuff or remove that boat/box quicker. It's sure nice to have the stuff on board but hopefully never need it. This way it's out of the way

Can you test the bilge pump float switch with the board in place?

 

[Nehalennia]

Can you test the bilge pump float switch with the board in place?

Yes, but for any more serious potential problems, that's why I'll be modifying the mounting to make it quick to get it out of there.

 

[Fishnut]

Yeap, different boats. The 1998 240 Sundancer had no transom locker. Just a small locker on the port side of the boat.

Todd, you’d have a lot more room if you got ride of that big black thing with the pulleys and belt on the front of it.

Good job on the storage ideas and the pictures!

I'm impressed with how clean your bilge is. Not quite that much room in the engine room of the 240. You guys carry a lot of tools and extra props, wow. I figure that I'm not changing any of that stuff on the water so I don't drag it around. If need be the house is 8 minutes from the Marina. Plus that's why they make Sea tow. :grin:

I have never been stopped for riding people on the front of the boat. I don't do it in any waves but the girls like to lay out when we cruise. The custom cushion is 2 inches at the center line and 6 inches at the outside so it reduces the slope to some extent. It is almost flat at that angle. I covered them with sunbrella and had snaps put on the bottom with a backer for stiffness. It actually works pretty good. Usually,if the truth be known, we use this when we are anchored.

I wouldn't put stuff in the anchor locker if you want to use your anchor especially if you have an emergency, IMHO. :wow:

The guy who said he turned the front berth into a permanent fixture has a good idea. You pick up some nice storage under the fill in. And I agree that you can ditch the tables, we never use them either. :thumbsup:

 

[Nehalennia]

Thanks for the compliments FishNut.
I can't stand a dirty bilge. I like to verify I don't have leaks or any other stuff indicating I may have a problem.