Bayliner storage near engine

[strokeoluck]

I'm pretty sure I know the answer to this question is going to be "no", but thought I'd ask anyway. Can you safely store items back by the engine in an I/O (see our boat details below)?

In our boat the engine cover runs the entire width of the boat. It's great for sitting on top of it when the boat isn't moving/running, but there's a lot of good space underneath that cover that seems to be going to waste. We pack pretty efficiently but our last outing included 6 other adults (8 total) and it sure would have been nice to put some things back there.

I noticed Bayliner even put little wood "mini walls" on each side of the engine; it's almost like those walls are screaming out to hold some things! Yes? No? The only thing one side is holding is the battery. Granted, I don't want to have things flying around near the engine, but I would think I could easily install some sort of netting or tie-downs or something to hold things in place.

Thoughts?

 

[Thad]

Re: Bayliner storage near engine

Heck yes you can stow gear there.

In my boat, on the battery side, I have a large tote (no lid) that PFD's go in. On the side of that, spare props and tools. Behind the tote, oil and other spare fluids.
On the other side are two more totes (with lids). A medium and a smaller one. These are for towels and warm clothes. To the outer side, the tubes rolled up fit right in there.

The rule on my boat; if it is not a cooler and I can see it, it does not go.

 

[QC]

Re: Bayliner storage near engine

That's where I have my tools, spare props, spare anchors, spare parts, fluids, 2 tubes, chairs . . . Best argument there is for a full sun lounge.

The rule on my boat; if it is not a cooler and I can see it, it does not go.

Great rule. Does it apply to people? Mrs. QC hates the ski locker . . .

 

[Thad]

Re: Bayliner storage near engine

Great rule. Does it apply to people? Mrs. QC hates the ski locker . . .

That thing is for skis? I thought since the boat did not have corners, it was for bad kids That's why they put air vents in the hatch

 

[strokeoluck]

Re: Bayliner storage near engine

In my boat, on the battery side, I have a large tote (no lid) that PFD's go in. On the side of that, spare props and tools. Behind the tote, oil and other spare fluids.
On the other side are two more totes (with lids). A medium and a smaller one. These are for towels and warm clothes.

Thanks, this is good news. How do you secure the totes? Without lids I would think items would bounce around and possibly fly out - hitting moving parts of the engine. No? Even with lids I would think there might be a chance of the whole tote bouncing out.

 

[Thad]

Re: Bayliner storage near engine

Thanks, this is good news. How do you secure the totes? Without lids I would think items would bounce around and possibly fly out - hitting moving parts of the engine. No? Even with lids I would think there might be a chance of the whole tote bouncing out.

I installed small studs. Stainless steel. Drilled holes in the bottom of the tote. Secure them with a fender washer and nut. Then, when they need to come out, take the nut and washer off, remove the tote. And you get the putting back in thing, right

The tote without the lid is the large one. The jackets stand up as if they were on a hanger. Even if they werre allowed to bounce, the deck lid being closed would keep them from leaving the tote.
We put them in six years ago and have never had an issue except for one stud working loose. A little thread lock and bingo.

 

[LIQUID PROZAC]

Re: Bayliner storage near engine

stack it and pack it