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Attaching shelving in bilge are under V-Berth

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JimGo
Admiral

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USA
962 Posts

Initially Posted - 04/24/2012 : 12:09:10

As I'm putting everything back together in preparation for our launch on Friday, I'm realizing just how much storage space there is on the boat, which is great! My goal is to start to pull stuff out of the quaterberth and put it "properly" away in varous places. One such place is in the V berth, in the space under the cushions. I can see that mine HAD wooden supports under there, with some kind of wooden shelf. The supports look to have been glued in place, and over time the glue has failed. I'd be tempted to screw them on, but I suspect that's the outer hull there, and the idea of adding one or more screw holes doesn't seem a good one. So, is some sort of adhesive the appropriate means by which to affix the supports? If so, what's recommended? I was considering polyurethane glue, because it bonds well to most surfaces, and holds up well when exposed to moisture. Am I off base? I'm also not sure how best to hold the supports in place while the glue dries - I'm leaning toward duct/duck tape. Any better ideas?

Thanks in advance!

- Jim
Formerly of 1984 C25 named Dragon Wing

NOTE: In my case, PLEASE don't confuse stars/number of posts with actual knowledge. On any topic.

Edited by - on

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 04/24/2012 : 12:31:34

Jim,
I'm an adherent of epoxy, but that's a very permanent solution. However, it bonds wood very well to fiberglass once it's been scuffed up a bit. Don Casey recommends bonding in separate supports so you can screw your shelves, etc. directly to them, instead of drilling into your hull (which sounds like a really bad idea to me unless you know exactly what you're getting into). He also has some pretty good methods of creating curved shelves that fit properly to the hull.

I can specifically not recommend construction adhesive like the stuff you get in triggered tubes. Can't think of the name, but what a waste of time on a boat. I still have some stuff in my bilge that fell apart that I haven't gotten around to fixing (because I'd have to pull a dozen feet of hose through it and I'm lazy, it works right now and I don't have to look at it, so it doesn't bug me enough to make me fix it).

I'd suspect that polyurethane glues would work nearly as well as epoxy and there are newer less foaming formulations that I like to use when doing stuff on my lathe. I've used both Gorilla & Sumo and prefer Gorilla, not really even sure why, probably because it's the one I have the most experience with. If you tape your joints before application, you'll have a nice way to razor through the foam and get a clean line when it's done. Also make sure to wear gloves, anywhere it touches your skin will be black for about three weeks or so (trust me).

As far as keeping things in place, I've had good luck with hot melt glue and temporary supports. It pops off with a solid rap from a mallet, or you can usually peel it off with your fingers with no evidence of it ever having been there.

I've also used duct tape like you suggested, my favorite is Gorilla tape, especially the 1" smaller rolls. Very-very handy to have around.

Edited by - on

OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 04/24/2012 : 15:57:34

If you study the lazarette you will see that there is a place to attach a 1x all the way around. Cut a piece of plywood to rest on the 1x and drill a series of ~2" holes (holes provide ventilation and lightens the shelf.) Turns the dumpster into 2 stories - so to speak. Rarely used stuff on the bottom, frequently used stuff on the new shelf. Also eliminates diving for the everyday stuff.

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JimGo
Admiral

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USA
962 Posts

Response Posted - 04/24/2012 : 16:14:45

OJ, thanks for the idea. My dumpster is actually in decent shape. I was asking about the v-berth (near the bow), though not the dumpster (near the stern).

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OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 04/24/2012 : 16:33:11

You'll understand my suggestion better by season's end

.

As there is no liner below the v-berth - be careful with any dark adhesives that might show-through to the exterior . . . gel coat is semi-translucent.

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dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 04/24/2012 : 16:36:10

Just remember that both the dumpster and the space under the v-berth will be very high moisture spaces. Water simply gets in there by a variety of means. The double shelf idea for the dumpster is a good one, but I would be inclined to use plastic containers with lids in the lower area.

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pastmember
Master Marine Consultant

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2402 Posts

Response Posted - 04/24/2012 : 18:04:50

On my lake the storage under the v berth is dry and I had a simple shelf cut to fit and the shape itself held it in place.

It was very solid and even held a marine aircinditioner:

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OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3466 Posts

Response Posted - 04/24/2012 : 19:27:24

Wood frame supports; plexiglas shelf length from port to starboard hull sides and plexiglas vertical partitions all attached with nuts, washers & bolts; plastizote padding (similar to dense camping pad matl) used between hull and vertical supports; end supports near access door are padded with velcro & not attached to the wall. No permanent attachments.

Edited by - OLarryR on 04/24/2012 19:34:35

JimGo
Admiral

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USA
962 Posts

Response Posted - 04/25/2012 : 06:06:28

Hmmmm...so from this conversation I take it that the support pieces that I'm seeing aren't actually original. Very interesting. Larry, I really like your set-up, though the simplicity of Franks makes it very appealing!

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 04/25/2012 : 07:15:52

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Frank,

Your picture and the stain running down the centerline, suggests your boat wasn't always so dry.

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pastmember
Master Marine Consultant

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2402 Posts

Response Posted - 04/25/2012 : 07:57:12

LOL, hence the big honk'n new drain in the anchor locker! Fixed it! A Leon approved upgrade.
Don, I bet you miss Leon as much as I do, it always seems silly to me, for me to give advice when all I ever did was try to do things half as well as Leon did them.

Edited by - pastmember on 04/25/2012 08:01:16

NautiC25
Admiral

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USA
957 Posts

Response Posted - 04/25/2012 : 08:11:29

I too like the simplicity of Franks platform. Since most of the work is done, it would be awesome to get a detailed drawing of the shape needed to be cut. ;) The only modification is to extend it a couple more inches forward to close off the V.

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 04/25/2012 : 08:19:59

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by pastmember
 LOL, hence the big honk'n new drain in the anchor locker! Fixed it! A Leon approved upgrade.
Don, I bet you miss Leon as much as I do, it always seems silly to me, for me to give advice when all I ever did was try to do things half as well as Leon did them.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Yes, I do. Leon is the mod king and if there were a better way to do something, he'd find a way to improve on it!

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OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3466 Posts

Response Posted - 04/25/2012 : 08:38:56

I agree. Frank's setup is fairly simple to construct and install. I went a bit overboard with my setup. I was after a modern approach, allowing accesibility above and below the shelf but also allows light below to see what's doing in the lower section.

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