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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

wasted space

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gmcdent
1st Mate

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USA
41 Posts

Initially Posted - 06/27/2004 : 10:01:32

I am the new owner of a 1983 Catalina 25'.
When opening the port cockpit locker just in front of the gasoline locker, I find a tremendous amount of wasted space. There is also a green hose and some kind of pump. I assume the pump and hose are the electric bilge pump. Correct me if I am wrong.

Has anyone figured a way to use this extra space (netting etc) so that it is useful without actually putting things on the "floor" of this compartment. Seeems it would be a good place for fenders dock lines and such.

Also where is the best place to store the anchor line so it is ready to use. The anchor locker is fine for the anchor and rode, but where to put the 200 feet of line seems difficult.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
George C. on At Last

George C. on At Last

Edited by - on

PZell
Admiral

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USA
548 Posts

Response Posted - 06/27/2004 : 10:55:00

Hi George,
Welcome to the Forum. Don Casey in his books This Old Boat and
another little book about projects by him covers some ways to
use that space. It can be compartmentalized, shelves can be put
in that slide back and forward, etc. I have an older Catalina and
the gas tank shelf is inside that locker. I've built an additional
shelf inside and plan to put some sliding baskets and/or some pole
racks to hold fenders. I'm sure some other readers will have other
ideas for you.

Edited by - on

Steven Fesler
1st Mate

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29 Posts

Response Posted - 06/27/2004 : 11:09:05

<font color="blue">We call it the sail locker for some unknown reason, since we keep everything but sails in there. Ours is so full we have to keep taking stuff home to make room. Those plastic milk crates make a great holder for your stern anchor and rode. We have one with the stern anchor and one with a "lunch hook" or small anchor we toss out to stay put for short periods of time. Life jackets, fenders, a cockpit table, extra marine braid rope of different sizes, two tool boxes, a fake owl we hang up when we're gone to keep the bird dung off the boat and about 29 other things I can't think of right now. Don't worry , you won't think it's wasted space a couple years from now. And congratulations on buying an absolutely great sailboat. Ours is an 82 and we love it. Happy Sailing! Steve and Connie on Wazapan #3096.</font id="blue">

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 06/27/2004 : 12:22:55

The correct nautical term for that space is "The Dumpster".

I've been in it, sliding under the fuel locker to get to a get to the inside of the transom. Then the wind blew the lid down... If you have clostrophobia, don't even think about that!

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 06/27/2004 12:25:01

RichardG
Admiral

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USA
990 Posts

Response Posted - 06/27/2004 : 12:25:49

To confirm what the green hose is, I'd suggest you follow exactly where it leads (open up hatches, doors, etc.). Mine leads to a Y-valve, which, depending how it is set, leads to the bilge or to the holding tank (for pumping out if 3+ miles offshore).

Further, the pump in my locker is manually operated from the cockpit (Guzzler 400). To confirm it's electric, check if it has wires.

My main anchor (13# Danforth-type) and 350' of rode (50' chain + 300' line) all fit, albeit tightly, in the anchor locker. Assuming it's empty, I neatly coil the first 200' of line around the outside of the locker ending at the point where the line meets the chain. Then the chain is spread evenly around the center (so it's stacked as low as possible). Then the last 100' of line, coiled tightly around a plastic line holder, is put in to one side so as to allow room for the anchor. The anchor goes in with the flukes pointing forward. Then a 2' x 1.5' piece of carpet covers everything (use this to protect the deck from the chain and anchor when working with them). Finally, a bungie cord goes on top (used to hold the locker lid open). If I did it right, the chain and line will play out cleanly when setting the anchor.

Some like to use those special hangers to hang their anchors from the pulpit. It would definitely leave more room in there, but for some reason this setup just doesn't appeal to me. My more accessible stern anchor, stored neatly in the cockpit locker, is always ready to stop the boat in an emergency.

Edited by - on

Todd Frye
Navigator

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USA
222 Posts

Response Posted - 06/27/2004 : 16:05:02

To those who have endured my spiel on the importance of having your anchor ready to deploy...my apologies. I was taught at the ripe old age of 19 while in Vietnam, to 1). do like Lt. Dan says, "don't do anything stupid, like get yourself killed. and 2). Learn from the mistakes of others. A fellow dock mate was coming off the lake because of high winds, his OB either quit or wouldn't start when he needed it most, which led to him being blown into the junk concrete breakwater. In an effort to save his boat from being pounded, he put himself between the heaving boat and the jagged breakwater. He was crushed. His anchor was stowed in the anchor locker. I continue to advocate having your anchor poised and ready to deploy at a moments notice...because that is when you're going to need it. Practice anchor sets just as you would MOB drills. Practice these life saving skills in bad weather, at night, because that's when bad stuff happens. You should be able to deploy in 5-10 seconds. Whenever I walk the docks of marinas I visit, I take special notice of how various skippers have their anchors at the ready. Lots of great ideas out there. My Danforth is set in a bow pulpit bracket. I have sewn a short 2 foot long "sock" that covers the chain coming out of the anchor locker, so it doesn't scratch the deck. All I have to do is undo the bungee that keeps the anchor shank from flopping about, lift the anchor out of the bracket and "drop anchor". Fair Winds. Todd Frye

Edited by - on

PZell
Admiral

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USA
548 Posts

Response Posted - 06/27/2004 : 16:10:34

Roger that. The lunch hook is always at the ready (couple of variations)from the cockpit. AND I have had to use it saving
big problems.

Edited by - on

Leon Sisson
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1893 Posts

Response Posted - 06/27/2004 : 18:59:50

George C.,

Here's my two cents on C-25 anchor storage.

I have a 22# Claw (like a Bruce) on a bow roller, a 20# Danforth High tensile hanging from the pulpit, and a lunch hook sized Danforth hanging on the stern rail in a piece of PVC pipe which looks like an extra large fishing rod holder. The two main rodes are each about 300' with a boatlength of chain, and are both stored in the bow anchor locker on opposite sides of an adjustable, removable divider. The stern anchor rode is 100' with about 10' of light chain stored in a bucket or bag in the cockpit locker. The rim of the locker opening is notched for the rode. The bitter ends of rodes are secured inside the lockers.

And if you think the port cockpit locker on your 1983 Catalina 25' is a waste of space, you should see the earlier version! On my 1979 C-25, I subdivided the huge port cockpit locker into about half a dozen smaller storage compartments, accessable from different areas of the boat. In that area I now have:<ul>
<li>a group-24 cranking battery,</li>
<li>a 12-gal internal fuel tank,</li>
<li>a 16-gal water bladder,</li>
<li>a closet for the quarterberth,</li>
<li>pots & pans storage for the galley,</li>
<li>room for a large coaming box (when I get around to it),</li>
<li>and still plenty of accessable storage for fenders, buckets, stern anchor (see above), funnels, sail cover, etc.</li></ul>

-- Leon Sisson

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