Companionway Boards Storage Ideas

Bob Ohler · Post by **Bob Ohler** » Jul 13th, '11, 08:46

As anyone come up with a good location / system for storing the companionway boards? I sewed a holder for the three boards and after inserting them, we fold over the top flap and snap the cover shut. Still, other than setting the canvas "envelope" in the quarter berth, I have not found the perfect spot yet.

I was thinking of building either a tray in the overhead of the quarter berth or perhaps, a vertical holder in the quarter berth, along the side nearest the engine compartment. I know there are some handy and creative CD sailors out there. I'd love to hear, or even better, see photos of your solutions to this.

Thanks,
Bob O.

Steve Laume · Post by **Steve Laume** » Jul 13th, '11, 09:18

I sewed a three section fleece stowage bag for the boards but then simply set the thing in the book shelf over the settee.

Now you have me thinking, Steve.

Jim Cornwell · Post by **Jim Cornwell** » Jul 13th, '11, 13:05

A boat I once chartered (Dickerson 37) had a nicely home-made three-compartment canvas sleeve attached to a fore and aft partition right at the companionway. It was close at hand and thus a natural thing to do to slide the drop boards in their keeper right away. Result? The finish on those teak babies was flawless! An arrangement like this is on my winter to-do-for-the-boat list! Jim.

Bob Ohler · Post by **Bob Ohler** » Jul 13th, '11, 13:15

... something made of teak or mahogany in the quarter berth on our CD30B. I am thinking of either a "ledge" with with the boards held vertically, perhaps with a bungee cord or the overhead tray idea (like I have seen for chart storage) I mentioned above.

barfwinkle · Post by **barfwinkle** » Jul 13th, '11, 21:33

RBO, I'll send you a pic of a qtr berth storage someone sent me when I get home (end of the week).

Fair winds

Bob Ohler · Post by **Bob Ohler** » Jul 14th, '11, 05:09

If anyone else has a solution for this, please post them. I do not remember seeing this any of my boat project books.

RBO

Chris Reinke · Post by **Chris Reinke** » Jul 14th, '11, 09:29

Bob - Our previous boat had several small teak tracks mounted on the engine compartment cover, hidden behind the companionway ladder. The tracks had a small lip on the forward edge so the boards would sit securely behind the lip. The top of each board was secured behind a bungee. The boards were easily slid behind the ladder and dropped into each track. This provided a place to store the boards out of the way behind the ladder and the boards also provided a nice teak look to the cover.

Steve Laume · Post by **Steve Laume** » Jul 14th, '11, 12:14

I don't have a quarter berth and that area behind the ladder tends to get a bit dusty much faster that other areas of the boat. The fleece covers I have now keep the boards in excellent condition. It would be nice to have a dedicated place to store them. They also need to be readily accessible. Maybe just a blocked off area in the book shelf would be the best for my situation, Steve.

Solmar · Post by **Solmar** » Jul 14th, '11, 20:50

we have a sunbrella envelope like described above to hold both the companionway boards (screen) and plexiglass enclosure. The Sunbrella case is mounted vertically in the lazarette and is removable in order to access the engine. If interested I'll try to remember to take a picture this weekend.

Debbie

House · Post by **House** » Jul 15th, '11, 16:20

My wife made a 3-section storage bag out of an old pillow case, which goes at the aft end of the shelf, above the port setee. Nothing fancy, but it works!

Richard

Neil Gordon · Post by **Neil Gordon** » Jul 15th, '11, 20:41

I store mine behind the ice box, which puts them conveniently inside the boat when it starts raining in the middle of the night. The location is also reasonably accessible from the cockpit.

barfwinkle · Post by **barfwinkle** » Jul 16th, '11, 10:14

but I can't recall if the pic is electronic or paper (adding to my confused state!).

Anyway the concept is a "teak rack" mounted to the inboard bulkhead, and at the forward end of the quarter berth.

I'll keep looking. I think I got it from Joe Myerson, but not sure.

Fair winds.

Ralph H · Post by **Ralph H** » Jul 16th, '11, 13:42

Below is the teak hatchboard rack on Liberty. Top view and side view at the Nav station. Only one board is in the rack in these pics. This was installed by the PO and has been very handy!

Hope this helps,
Ralph H.

Joe Myerson · Post by **Joe Myerson** » Jul 16th, '11, 15:45

It wasn't me, but Ralph's concept looks very nice.

I have a friend with a 27 who keeps his hatch boards in a canvas pocket that he stores in the port cockpit locker. It seems to work well except in situations like what Neil describes, when you're down below and the weather turns.

Myself, I usually stick them flat under the settee cushions. It's not the best place to keep them.

--Joe

drysuit2 · Post by **drysuit2** » Jul 17th, '11, 07:08

Ralph H wrote:Below is the teak hatchboard rack on Liberty. Top view and side view at the Nav station. Only one board is in the rack in these pics. This was installed by the PO and has been very handy!

Hope this helps,
Ralph H.

Wow this is so much more elegant a solution then my... shove them in the space next to the ice box, or chuck them on the berths.

And I'm feeling bad enough about not doing my teak this season, or even short-hauling the boat since October 2009.

The Cape Dory Board

Companionway Boards Storage Ideas

Companionway Boards Storage Ideas

Drop Board Storage

I am envisioning...

I'll be looking for it Commodore!

On Engine Compartment

Companionway board storage

Hatch Board Storage

I'm lookin RBO

Wasn't me