ski locker recomendations

[geedubcpa]

I have a boat I am working on - 16 foot starcraft SS -

I have replaced the floor but was thinking having a ski locker door would be great for access - any recommendations on brands or types I should be looking at. I won't use it to store skis but more likely fishing stuff and also so I can inspect the hull.

My floor is 3/4 inch marine grade.

 

[Shife]

Re: ski locker recomendations

I would recommend installing one, but I found my idea turning it into storage for fishing rods just wasn't practical. We have similar boats but your bilge dimensions may differ from mine. I had it all planned out to make a 3 or 4 rod rack in there but even my 2000 series reels hang down far enough that they would be rubbing against the hull. There just isn't enough depth to that compartment in my boat to actually use it for storage. Water can and will collect between the ribs (at least on my boat it does) and I don't like leaving my expensive fishing gear in the equivalent of a stank sauna. So... until I buy a new boat with dedicated rod storage I'll just have to carry the rods up to the house each night. The hatch does make it super easy to inspect the bilge and dry it out and would work well for day use of PFD storage and such. I use my boat pretty much every day so it gets exposed to a lot of weather. Your situation may be different.

I got mine for $40 from the Great Lakes Skipper eBay site. Aluminum frame with 3/4in Starboard insert:

 

[geedubcpa]

Re: ski locker recomendations

So that looks like you just jig saw out the hole and install - how sturdy is it to walk on?

 

[Shife]

Re: ski locker recomendations

So that looks like you just jig saw out the hole and install - how sturdy is it to walk on?

Rock solid. Was super easy to install. Measure twice, cut once.

 

[geedubcpa]

Re: ski locker recomendations

I measure 3-4 times and still screw it up.....What is the brand name?

 

[Shife]

Re: ski locker recomendations

I measure 3-4 times and still screw it up.....What is the brand name?

No idea on the brand name. They were originally mfg'd for a model in the Mariah boat line.

Here's the eBay link:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/MARI...6143796QQptZBoatQ5fPartsQ5fAccessoriesQ5fGear

 

[ezmobee]

Re: ski locker recomendations

I got mine on ebay also. It was brand new overstock from some boat manufacturer

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: ski locker recomendations

Always a good idea to add a ski locker, even if it's not for skis.

One great function as well is to keep the entire bilge ventilated so things can dry out, gas fumes won't be trapped under the deck if any spills.

I do agree that on a 16' Starcraft there isn't exactly tons of vertical room. I'm adding some aluminum pieces riveted down to keep things off the actual ribs and out of the drainage area.

 

[geedubcpa]

Re: ski locker recomendations

Thanks for the link to ebay - I ordered the locker door - Mainly I wanted to have some storage, but also wanted access to the hull if needed.

Did you reinforce your floor where you did the cutout - I was thinking of adding some kind of reinforcement to the bottom of my plywood where the cutout is. Maybe it won't be needed.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: ski locker recomendations

I added thickness to mine at the top and bottom of the locker cuz it was right near the edges of a deck board. No need on the sides cuz the stringers are right there. You can kinda see it here http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w200/ezmobee/New Boat/DSCF2367.jpg