Has anyone installed a step in the bilge on a 300 ?

[J R Sparky]

Has anyone installed a step or steps in the bilge to make it a little easier to get in and out? It seems as if the easiest way to enter the bilge on our 300 is to step on the battery and that doesn’t sound like a viable, long term solution. The only other option I use is to sit on the floor and stretch to reach the battery platform with the right foot. Pretty awkward coming out.

 

[JimG]

My 310 has a step... if it wasn't shrink wrapped till spring, I'd get a picture for you. :smt009

 

[jason78]

Has anyone installed a step or steps in the bilge to make it a little easier to get in and out? It seems as if the easiest way to enter the bilge on our 300 is to step on the battery and that doesn’t sound like a viable, long term solution. The only other option I use is to sit on the floor and stretch to reach the battery platform with the right foot. Pretty awkward coming out.

I can't think of any good way to do that. I know exactly what you are talking about though. My friend has a 300DA.

I believe most of the late model V-Drive boats have a step on top of the Port transmission which is a help for those guys.

 

[Lazy Daze]

JR - If you can post a few pics (different angles) of your engine room, those of us that don't have a 300 may be able to help you with brainstorming some ideas.

Thought... You mentioned stepping on the battery. What about building a cage/brace/step directly over top of the battery? You still want the battery to breathe, so be sure to leave circulation room, or use material with holes in it (or drill your own). Depending on how you build it, that may not even be needed, though.

 

[J R Sparky]

Okay, here are 3 pics showing the batterys and the area around them. One of the goals would be something relatively simple to remove so I can do my regular checks and PM. (I'm kind of anal on PMs, fluid levels, connections,etc. I'm retired and actually like doing these things.:huh

 

[Lazy Daze]

One of the goals would be something relatively simple to remove so I can do my regular checks and PM. (I'm kind of anal on PMs, fluid levels, connections,etc. I'm retired and actually like doing these things.:huh

I agree 100% with you on that. KISS.

Hmmm. This may be as simple as something like this: http://ellies.com/hand_painted_furniture/step_stool_126w.jpg

Built to the right dimensions, two of the legs could sit on the flat area directly inboard of your water manifold. The flat, "step" area would span the aft, port-side battery. The other two legs could sit on the board that the batteries sit on - possibly having one leg directly in the "cross hair" portion between all four batteries and the other leg near the aft, center edge of that board (would likely need a small "stop" or "chock" to keep the leg from falling off... or, build that leg to go all the way to the bilge floor). Put rubber, slip-on feet on the legs and it should be quite stable.

Another thought is to build a swing down step - mounting a hinge on that forward electrical wall - depending on how thick that is. When it swings down (from vertical), it would have folding legs that would unfold to drop to the bilge floor for support. This would take a little more thought (and be a little harder to figure out with only pictures) to make sure it clears that wall. But, I think it could be done. It could be attached with bimini-pins to make it removable.

 

[J R Sparky]

Thanks for the input Dennis. Long term I guess I was thinking expanded aluminum or galvanized steel.

I think I'll try fabricating a wooden step out of white oak and SS screws using your idea. I'll let you know how it works out.( Might even post some pics if it looks good.) :smt038

 

[Stray Cat]

JR - I've thought about making new longer J bolts for (4) of the battery hold downs...maybe about 3 inches longer. With the longer hold down bolts, install the nuts to secure the batteries. An extra nut likely will be needed above the hold down nut so you can make enough clearance to clear the terminals. Then place a silver dollar sized washer on top of the nut to provide support. Then make the step out of a decent looking piece of 3/4 or 1 inch. white nylon (like the stuff a cutting board is made from) or plywood would work too, anything nonconductive. Make a template with a piece of cardboard so you can drill the holes in your step where needed...I'd drill them maybe 1 or 2 drill sizes larger than the hold down bolt so it would be easier to set in place. Then secure the step in place with wingnuts for easy removal to service the batteries.

This would also provide a place to set tools etc when you're doing service. It's a thought I plan to try this year.

Good luck!

 

[JimG]

Excellent idea Jeff! :thumbsup:

 

[Lazy Daze]

JR: I like using aluminum, too. However, I'd be very tentative having any metal too close to the batteries. I'm sure it could be done, but you'd have to be super-duty sure that it wouldn't come near the battery posts (by accident, or if something breaks). If it was me, I'd shy away from metal.

Check out the stuff at this link (It's a US-based company, too:thumbsup. There may something there that catches your eye. You know that grey, plastic L-channel holding your water manifold in place (and other things)? You can get that stuff here. You can also get various types of sheet plastic and different shapes.
http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/default.aspx?catid=795&parentcatid=-1

Jeff - I like your idea (for the "extra" nut, you'd want to use two of them and double-nut it, though), but if I can play devil's advocate for a sec... If I read correctly, doing it that way would put all of the weight onto the battery tie downs and they won't support that.

However, drawing a tangent on your idea... installing some threaded rods (however many you need for the size step you'll use -- might as well cover all the batteries and use 6 or 8) through the battery-mount board and bolting them on both sides might do the trick. Just be sure to spread the load that the nut on the topside of the board would create. A large washer, 3/8" ply or starboard would work. I'd probably use 3/8" or 1/2" SS rod just to beef it up a bit and provide more stability. Once those are mounted, continue to attach the step the way you mentioned. Maybe use grey starboard or paint the plywood to match the bilge color.

Just be sure to keep the rods a few inches away from the battery board's edges.

Another thought... You may even consider making the battery board much larger (stretching aft) to provide a second step-down. Of course, it'd need to be notched to go around the various tubes/hoses that are there (unless they can be re-routed).

 

[Stray Cat]

Dennis - You raise a good point above, the weight would be supported by the hold down straps (top of the batteries) Spreading the weight over a larger area would be better. The 300 requires some finess getting in and out of the ER that is for sure!

 

[Bridog]

Dennis - You raise a good point above, the weight would be supported by the hold down straps (top of the batteries) Spreading the weight over a larger area would be better. The 300 requires some finess getting in and out of the ER that is for sure!

I keep an old wood cutting board on the boat and place that over the 4 batteries. I'm sure it's not the best answer but at least the weight is distributed. I like the step idea however. Also on the 300DA MAKE SURE YOU SUPPORT YOUR HATCH while your in there. I was almost seriously injured when the lifting actuator crapped out on me.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Do any of you happen to have a picture from the cockpit? Meaning, what are you looking at when you open the hatch? I'm just curious to see what you guys are up against as you enter the "abyss". :smt001

 

[Bottom Line]

Here are a couple of pics I found on Yachtworld...it is a 2004 300DA....

I have never thought of building a step there.

 

[JimG]

Excellent find on the pictures :thumbsup:

WOW! :wow: Look at all that room!
My V-Drives eliminate ALL of that... changing impellers on mine will be very difficult :smt089

 

[Lazy Daze]

Ah, I see what you guys mean. It's not just about the step down... but more about the step over the batts and genny. Looks like whoever is selling that boat already installed what you guys want! Hey... just buy his boat - it's already got the step!

Jeff... I looked at your Sea Ray Living spread... do you ever get your way around the house? Or, are you always outvoted?:smt001

 

[Stray Cat]

That is a good find on the pictures Jeff. The diamond plate would have me a bit nervous though...insulate the hell out of the terminals! My bats have studs on them but I think they have plastic covers on the threads.

 

[JimG]

It looks like the diamond plate is attached to a board... painted plywood? :huh:

 

[Bugsy24]

On my 310 DA It's the reverse, Gene on Port side, batteries on Starboard and alot less room!!!! The acess is from the Starboard side so your stepping over the Gene and stepping on a multitude of thru hull fittings!!!

 

[JimG]

On my 310 DA It's the reverse, Gene on Port side, batteries on Starboard and alot less room!!!! The acess is from the Starboard side so your stepping over the Gene and stepping on a multitude of thru hull fittings!!!

:huh: