Making new storage compartment

searay sport

searay sport

New Member
Feb 21, 2007
276
Ozark Missouri
I am planning on cutting the fiberglass under the rear seat to make a new storage bin. Has anyone ever done this before? I can cut it fine, but I want it to be water tight, and am not sure what to use to make the compartment. I thought they had an upgrade where you can have the storage put in. Do they make pre made boxes I could drop in, and glass it together? Any imput would be great before I cut into her.
 
Everytime you click on the thread it looks like another view. :smt043 I just wonder how much storage you will get (with the position of the gas tank); how you plan on doing it, and what you will find once you make the cut. I guess my thoughts are if there was room for storage Sea Ray would have put it there but I could be wrong. I do not think there was a upgrade for storage. :huh: Sounds like you have a plan good luck with it. :thumbsup:
 
STIHLBOLTS said:
Everyone one of them fainted. :huh: You said the "Cut" word. :smt101 On virgin fiberglass no less. :smt021
Click to expand...

Big Ditto, :thumbsup:

Have to agree with Wesley about not gaining that much storage. Are you sure it is just more storage you want? May want to think about what those cuts are going to do to your trade in value on the next bigger boat :huh:
 
You mean to tell me no one on here has ever altered their boat? It is not even structural. I will post pics of the finished product after I get it done, and you will all be wanting to know how it was done. I agree, it wont be a great deal of storage, but if I do both sides, we can atleast put some towels, or shoes, and baby toys in there. I worked for awhile building fiberglass 18ft john boats, and I feel prety confident I can pull it off, and make it look professional. I guess we will see.
 
For those of us who are not real familiar with the 185 Sport could you post a picture or two of the area you are going to modify for storage?

It sounds like an interesting project. :thumbsup:
 
Dave S said:
For those of us who are not real familiar with the 185 Sport could you post a picture or two of the area you are going to modify for storage?

It sounds like an interesting project. :thumbsup:
Click to expand...

Here are a few pics
newboat014.jpg

newboat012.jpg

newboat011.jpg


The first pic is a view from the engine bay facing toward the rear seat to show the available room for storage above the gas tank. It would be approximatels 1 ft deep. Also the second pic, you can see the indention. I will cut 1 inch inside of the indention to allow me to add weather stripping. That will both look good, and help keep it water proof.
 
I guess my biggest concern would the cutting out of the fiberglass weaken that area at all.

Nice boat by the way. I sear the first time I looked at the pictures there were more. now I went back and there are only a few. I saw a picture of someone messing with the bimini in the snow that isn't there now? what happened?
 
I accidently posted them again, so I took them out. All of those pics are in the whos who section under new to the site and to boating. I asked the tech at searay, and he said it would be fine. The seat its self does not sit on that area I am cutting out. I want to start cutting, but I cant find all of the supplies I will need yet. Does any one know where to buy the woven fiberglass sheets?
 
Souds like a good project considering your experience with fiberglass. A auto body supply shop may have the supplies you need (Corvette) or else the internet. I've often thought about trying to install some storage compartments behind the bow seat backs in mine but don't have the knowledge or tools.
 
my local marine dealer and supply shop has everything. Fiberglass weave, resin, etc. My want to call your boat dealers. I'm guessing there may be a few of them down there!
 
why dont you just use the piece you cut for the hatch and make framework to hold that piece after?

you should not be resting items on top of the fuel tank especially where the hoses go- but im sure you know that, so the chances of finding a pre-made plastic bin that will fit your criteria are slim to none.
 
I have thought about the same. Not really planning on cutting on my boat. However, I have wondered why Searay did not put any storage there whatsoever. There is room. I guess its allow the removal of the tank or some reason they decided against it.
 
If I had a WAG at it. It boils down to dollars. Molds are easy to fill with fiberglass and gelcoat. It takes man hours to go back and cut out holes. Add to that a plastic cubby hole and a door of some kind and all of a sudden you have additional cost factor in the boat. What we might think should only cost say $100.00 dollars really costs several hundred of dollars in production dollars.

Just a guess. :smt101
 
My 2004 185 has storage all the way across the boat under the rear seat. The deck runs all the way to the engine compartment with removable sections in the center for tank removal. I guess they did away with the rear seat storage and the anchor storage in the bow.
 
Searay Sport, I'd be interested in seeing how this works out for you, as I'd be interested in gaining a little storage on my 185 (and I haven't even picked mine up yet...). I noticed yours also has storage in the bow under the cushion as well, and I'm going to see if that's a do-able mod after I get mine home. Anyway, post some pics of the project so we can follow along!
 
SeaRay Sport and others who might be considering this mod, Sea-Ray offers storage tubs that are designed to fit into these two recessed areas under the rear bench. They come with drains as well. I've ordered them and they'll be installed on the boat by the time I pick it up on April 19th.
 
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