Storage?

[Tigertooth03]

New boat owner and specifically 2011 Q7i. Just wondering if you all store anything in the engine compartment. I've noticed some other boats have a wall between the storage area and the engine. If you do store things what kind of things would be safe, I assume that it gets pretty hot here. Thanks ahead for any answers.

 

[whitey224]

Re: Storage?

Hey, Congrats on the new boat! I have a 2011 Q7i also. I put some cargo nets on the back of mine to hold things away from the engine. I have all my life jackets in there and a couple of Rubbermaid containers with all the cleaning stuff, tools and fluids for the engine/outdrive in there. The nets are handy because they hold everything in place and are easy to take down to get to the engine.

 

[dmoss8928]

Re: Storage?

Post some pictures whitey if you can..

 

[PrinceValium]

Re: Storage?

I have also heard of people putting in ballast bladders for wake boarding in the compartments. I think it is a good idea to have the life jackets etc. in there in nets like whitey said...I will have to look into that! It sucks to have them all jammed in the front compartments or in the center ski compartment.

 

[whitey224]

Re: Storage?

Here are some pics of the cargo nets I put in. It is pretty hard to get a good pic of them but it gives you get an idea of what I am talking about. They do a good job of keeping things away from the engine. I got them from www.cargogear.com.

 

[dmoss8928]

Re: Storage?

Here are some pics of the cargo nets I put in. It is pretty hard to get a good pic of them but it gives you get an idea of what I am talking about. They do a good job of keeping things away from the engine. I got them from www.cargogear.com.
View attachment 153390View attachment 153391

I like the buckets you have. You carry cleaning supplies for quick touch ups?

 

[whitey224]

Re: Storage?

You carry cleaning supplies for quick touch ups?

I just like to have the boat stuff in the boat. It is also nice when we go somewhere and stay overnight or for a week to have stuff to keep the boat clean

 

[BoatDrinksQ5]

Re: Storage?

Here are some pics of the cargo nets I put in. It is pretty hard to get a good pic of them but it gives you get an idea of what I am talking about. They do a good job of keeping things away from the engine. I got them from www.cargogear.com.
View attachment 153390View attachment 153391

How did you anchor those nets? Epoxied coat hooks (small)? Do they anchor four places per? Do they stay tight enough to not sag into the motor if something was leaning? I have one for my car trunk (factory) and it is VERY stretchy. I suppose you would just want one that is near the 'max' stretched distance. Do you remember which model you had?

 

[spdracr39]

Re: Storage?

Just be sure you aren't blocking any of your fresh air vents allowing heat to build up back there. Also you want to be able to get fresh air in for the bilge blower. My 2008 has dividers and very little room around the engine and in the 90+ heat it will vapor lock because of lack of air flow. I think thats why they redesigned that compartment.

 

[PrinceValium]

Re: Storage?

Here are some pics of the cargo nets I put in. It is pretty hard to get a good pic of them but it gives you get an idea of what I am talking about. They do a good job of keeping things away from the engine. I got them from www.cargogear.com.
View attachment 153390View attachment 153391

The only thing I would worry about is something popping out and coming in contact with the motor.

 

[whitey224]

Re: Storage?

How did you anchor those nets? Epoxied coat hooks (small)? Do they anchor four places per? Do they stay tight enough to not sag into the motor if something was leaning? I have one for my car trunk (factory) and it is VERY stretchy. I suppose you would just want one that is near the 'max' stretched distance. Do you remember which model you had?

The nets come with anchors that are held in place by screws or 3m tape. I got the bulkhead net. They were a little long so I pulled all the slack out and zip tied it at one end to keep it tight. They keep life jackets in place but they will not stop something heavy, but heavy things don't move around much. Those totes I have in there never move at all.

 

[BiggerDee]

Re: Storage?

I always thought that it would be nice to have a (from the manufacturer of the boat, preferably) peg with a rubber shock absorbing base back there to hold a spare prop. With a nut or some sort of pin to hold it in place. I'm kind of paranoid about getting stranded out somewhere.

On a related note, hit a submerged (as opposed to one up on land?!) stump idling along and found out that the Mercury Flo-Torq II system works as advertised! Saved my prop, saved the foot of the motor, but I had to limp back to the launch (8 miles) at a max of 6.7MPH! Next time, the spare Flo-Torq will be in the boat, not in my truck! Luckily, the weather was great, no storms, and there were few boats out doe to the 98 degree heat, so it was a warm (close to sunset, not in the heat of the day), leisurely cruise back to the launch. 52+ down to 6.7 is tough to handle!

Thus the paranoia about the spare prop!