Storage help - storing things on the boat

[agallant80]

What is it with boats, they never have enough space. I am struggling with where to keep the cooler, fenders and portable generator on my Bayliner 255. The cooler goes on the swim platform, the generator goes in a space between the seats (when not running) and the fenders are in a locker which is a PITA, I will end up getting some fender mounts for the bow rails. Just wondering what you folks have done about storage on your boat. It seams to be something I am always struggeling with.

 

[BobGinCO]

Re: Storage help - storing things on the boat

That's why I have a pontoon...

Spent a week on Lake Powell, in a friend's Bayliner, and said "this will not do".
Now, my friend wants a pontoon. She's had that Bayliner for 18 years.

 

[agallant80]

Re: Storage help - storing things on the boat

Yeah but a pontoon does not have a tv, hot water and A/C. If I was going to get a day boat I would be 100% with the pontoon.

 

[BobGinCO]

Re: Storage help - storing things on the boat

Hey, TV and hot water are not a problem on a pontoon. Nor is a refrigerator/freezer. I'm strongly considering putting an ice-maker on mine.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Storage help - storing things on the boat

What do you need a generator for?

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Storage help - storing things on the boat

That thing is huge - how much other stuff are you hauling around? What is under all the seats?
2013 Bayliner 255 Cruiser | Bayliner Boats

 

[hostage]

Re: Storage help - storing things on the boat

I always try to keep what I have on my boat to a min. Might as well save on gas if I am not using it. How many bumpers do you have and how big of an ice chest? I have no issue storing my cooler and 3 bumpers on my 19ft boat.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Storage help - storing things on the boat

take a lesson from Jaws; "We're going to need a bigger boat."

As the comment about pontoons points out, though, it's really that you need a better-designed boat. Length is but one factor. A 25' center console OB has tons of storage room, because it's made for active use--including built-in coolers everywhere. And no big honking engine box in the middle of everything. Storage in and under every seat. Big storage lockers under the floor, not some "ski locker." Fish boxes and live wells are frequently used for storage only. No fluffy cushions and designer wrap-around dash-boards taking up space. Same goes for cuddy's and walk-arounds by Grady, Sea Chaser, Whaler, etc.

There's a lot of storage in a Suburban or F150 and not much in a Cadillac sedan of same length. Choices, choices.

 

[crabby captain john]

Re: Storage help - storing things on the boat

'toons are fine on a lake-- well most lakes they can really suck on the Great Lakes at times. Not worth the salt water to sink them on the ocean most of the time. Diff strokes.....

That's why I have a pontoon...

Spent a week on Lake Powell, in a friend's Bayliner, and said "this will not do".
Now, my friend wants a pontoon. She's had that Bayliner for 18 years.

 

[airshot]

Re: Storage help - storing things on the boat

Sounds to me like you have way to much stuff. Are you spending a week on your boat? I have done weekends with alot less.

 

[LnCoyote]

Re: Storage help - storing things on the boat

I too find it difficult to find space for all my equipment each time I go out. I mostly have fishing equipment. One tip that has worked for me is to limit what you take out based on what you will be doing that day. It does take some planning and of course you may find you left something behind that you want or need. However, the more you go out the more you will find that there are things you have on the boat that are just not necessary.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Storage help - storing things on the boat

I have filled all of the storage space on my 33 footer . . . and I have not added much stuff.

Of course in my 24 footer, I had a bunch of stuff just piled in the cuddy.

 

[crabby captain john]

Re: Storage help - storing things on the boat

The only storage problem on my 21' cuddy is with fishing rods. Storage for 6 spinning rods on gunnels ( I make 8 work ). The 6 trolling rods are kept in the cuddy.... still would not trade a cuddy for any other

 

[agallant80]

Re: Storage help - storing things on the boat

That thing is huge - how much other stuff are you hauling around? What is under all the seats?
2013 Bayliner 255 Cruiser | Bayliner Boats

Yeah thats what I thought. There is storage in the cockpit under the sink that is not really larg enough for more than a tool box, dock lines and some extra fluids. The storage under the seating is all taken up by the grill and fenders, its not as much as one would thing and its a chore to get the fenders out. My biggest issue is the cooler and the generator which I keep on the boat so we can have A/C if we spend a night on the hook. I am thinking the only way I will get more storage is to buy the extended swim platform the cooler on the factory platform takes up most of the platform with wise.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Storage help - storing things on the boat

Yeah thats what I thought. There is storage in the cockpit under the sink that is not really larg enough for more than a tool box, dock lines and some extra fluids. The storage under the seating is all taken up by the grill and fenders, its not as much as one would thing and its a chore to get the fenders out. My biggest issue is the cooler and the generator which I keep on the boat so we can have A/C if we spend a night on the hook. I am thinking the only way I will get more storage is to buy the extended swim platform the cooler on the factory platform takes up most of the platform with wise.

Or maybe learn to travel a little lighter and skip the AC The fenders are the easy thing to take care of, just google "boat fender racks".

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Storage help - storing things on the boat

how about a smaller cooler? I save space and keep things colder with several small coolers and soft-side coolers. Food can go in a soft-side with freezer blocks and be stashed in the console. A couple of thermos water jugs with water and iced tea. Drink cooler. small bait cooler (leave it in the fish box). I also freeze plastic bottles and use them as ice blocks and drinking water.