( This is a "repackaged" version of a very old web site I did about
some projects to my old Santana 2023C sailboat)

Shelves

 

We usually have only three aboard so not all of the berths were used. I sacrificed the aft port berth for a custom shelf. It looks far more complicated than it really was.

 

I used cardboard panels and kept trimming and trimming (and trimming and trimming...) until it was the right shape to match the curvature of the hull. I then used the cardboard as a template for the wood end pieces.

 

The two end pieces were really the only "custom shaped" parts. I just connected everything else in straight lines. Its not perfect, but it works.

 

I attached it (it didn't need much because it rested, with force, back on the hull) with two screws through the bottom shelf into the berth support and two screws into the teak trim rail at top that the Santana has on the inside at the hull/deck joint.

 

I made sure that the shelf sat back far enough to still allow access to the meager storage area beneath the berth using the wooden hatch. The front edge of the shelf comes right to the edge of that hatch opening.

 

There are dividers (of couse - I'm into dividers) with little bins for all of the stuff we sailors need.

I also made two cheapo shelves for each of the bulheads coming into the cabin. These are screwed (careful!) to the bulkhead, but not through to the outside (that's the theory, anyway). These hold GPS, 'nocs, VHF, etc.

 

I also made a little holder for the handbearing compass when it is not in use outside (let's see now, I can pay $15.95 for a second mount, or use $1.13 worth of wood and glue).

 

The shelves are just made from those little planks from the hardware store that come in 1x2 and 1x3 sizes and nailed/glued together. I used a louan panel for the back which also served as the attaching mechanism (screws into the bulkhead).

 

The CD player is mounted below the cockpit seat in a "made for this" shelf thingy. Not shown anywhere here, but I put cockpit speakers in the lockers out there. I try to minimize holes in the boat that allow water egress into the cabin so the two exterior walls of each of my cockpit lockers (sealed off from the cabin) take a real beating.

 

Next, I put a shelf across the back of the head between the walls. While working in the head, I moved the hold down brackets for the Portapotti back about 3 inches for more knee room (big difference). In this picture you can see the box for the AC outlet sticking through the bulkhead. and also the large table stowed along the forward wall. I made a little "L" shaped piece of wood that it slides under to hold it up (you can see it near the shelf)