storage access to cave

[knotflying]

I have an R-27. Has anyone put wood access doors similar to the galley doors under the dining table face to get to the cave. If so what size and where did you get them?

Thanks
Mike Rizzo

 

[HRowland]

Mike,

I am planning to get a louver door and frame at the Defender sale. They look like the ones that Ranger uses in the galley. The 12x12" should fit under the microwave.

http://www.defender.com/category.jsp?pa ... 7&id=92012

Howard

 

[SUWANNEE]

I have installed doors under the dinette and microwave on little tug.

Will have to get measurements tomorrow. Increased storage dramatically.

 

[Dale777]

I have installed doors under the dinette and microwave on little tug.

Will have to get measurements tomorrow. Increased storage dramatically.

Suwannee,

How about pictures of your improvements?

 

[sidetrack]

I installed extra louvered drs throughout my R 25. The pics are on the photo Gallery. I also enclosed the V-berth with louvered drs.

 

[sportner]

Sidetrack,
Love your add-ons, thanks for posting.

 

[SUWANNEE]

Have added two pics to my album of 2 louvered doors under microwave and under dinette

Also the pic of the shelf mods in the "cave" - kinda hard to see but the space we picked up is voluminous

We also removed the "navigating chair" and of course the mattress from the cave

Between the two doors we can store our 4 fenders, all of our enclosure panels and more than we ever imagined in the tubs .

I have another mod custom shelving in the v- berth but when my bride reviewed the pics she censored them until I get in and straighten up my side..

 

[HRowland]

At the Defender sale I bought the same louvered door and frame that Suwannee used for under the Microwave. It is 12" square left opening and requires an 11" square opening. I have already removed the matress from the cave. I will also remove the chair, I have never used it.

Howard

 

[walldog]

I have also added shelves to the cave. I built two shelves mainly used as a pantry. The bottom shelf is high enough for Andrew to still climb through to service the AC, etc. I plan a couple more above these, relocating the coat hooks to the side wall so the coats and life jackets will not block access to shelves.






We also raised the floor of the Helm area 8 inches. I am 5' 4" tall and my legs dangled after climbing up to the helm seat. So now I have a tall slender cabinet in place of the foot rest, and an 8" cabinet on the existing deck, and a step. I can now easily step up and sit in the helm seat or stand and pilot if desired. And my feet do not swell as much since I am able to relieve the thigh pressure by using the higher foot rest. I guess this mod makes me the most happy. More pictures are posted in my gallery.

Note the location of the AIS over the spot where the VHF was located. VHF is now in the upper cabinet where I can see the channel indicator without climbing down from the helm. I can also see das blinking lights on the AIS assuring me that it is working ok.

 

[trailertrawlerkismet]

Mike: We have an access door below the microwave that is identical to the two louvered doors next to the refrigerator. It really makes it more convenient for forward cave access.

Jim

 

[SEEKER]

I just bought a 12 x15 to allow access to the cave where the microwave would be. It looks like a straight forward cut out...? Any suggestions by anyone in regards to this project? I'm also putting a teak rail around the periphery of the shelves through the entryway into the cabin, ya know the ones that are above the side of your head that can't hold anything once you hit a 2 foot wave. Also, anyone modify the storage area above the helm? Can't seem to hold anything in there either when bigger water is encountered. I looked at pictures in the gallery and they were very helpful.

 

[knotflying]

Just to prolong the storage topic; has anyone thought of putting hatches on the floor surface (where your feet are when sitting) on either side of the table post? I thought this may also make access easier from the top as well as the sides of the cave. I am not sure if this may weaken the structural stability of the deck supporting the post, but you could always put a support below the deck to beef it up.
Any ideas?