26S Storage under Vee Berth

[dmac26s]

I'm very interested in moving my two batteries from under the galley, to under the vee berth. The reason is to free up storage under the galley. I'd sure like to see pictures of what others have done to accomplish this.

Any suggestions will be much appreciated!

[bcassel1]

I moved my two batteries to be on centerline, under the galley, between the centerboard lift line tube and the upright panel that makes the hallway to the head. I don't have photos immediately available, but I'll try to describe:

I have one group 24 and one group 27 battery. I don't go for special gel cells or even marine batteries, I go to the local junk yard and get new batteries out of late model wrecked cars. Cost me $5 each and they last foryears.

I put the batteries running lenthwise (they fit right in between the tube and the side wall) and used a stainless steel strap to secure them. That way they are centered in the boat fore and aft and port to starboard. Yes, they are a bear to get out to check for water level, but I only do that once a year.

I do have major storage under the galley and I make the area under the V berth accessible by cutting open the top and replacing that with triange shaped, hinged panels. I have a large ice chest, inflatable boat, large anchor..... under there. Since no one regularly sleeps in the V berth on my boat, I leave the cushions at home.

I should be in my boat in the next two weeks to clean and get it ready for sailing, I'll try to shoot some photos of all my mods.

[Catigale]

I go to the local junk yard and get new batteries out of late model wrecked cars. Cost me $5 each

Now thats a slick piece of work....

[technicalman]

"I go to the local junk yard and get new batteries out of late model wrecked cars. Cost me $5 each "

That's awesome!

[Meriachee]

I mounted a 14 gallon water tank, pump and cartridge filter up there, along with enough storage space for weeks worth of supplies. Stuff stays really cool up there. The area that is the floor of the berth has a smallish support that should really be beefed up, and I used alumimum channel to finish off the edges. This is a reasonably easy modification, I have a picture or two and if I can figure out how to, I'll post them.

cheers
Gary

[Hamin' X]

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[dmac26s]

Here's the hatch I installed. I still need to build the interior compartment for storage and a secure section to hold two batteries. I also want to put a water tank in there.

[Pete]

What was in this area before? My V22 had foam blocks. I took them out to make repairs but have the full intention of putting them back in. I was also thinking that if I could arrange them better I may be able to get more storage with the same amount of floatation.

[Doug91mac26s]

Pete,
My 91' 26S didn't have any foam blocks below the vee berth, it's wide open. There's a drop down compartment overhead that has foam in it.
I'd think you could re-arrange the foam blocks to create some storage, as you suggested.

[Doug91mac26s]

Here's a look inside. There's a lot of room for storage in there!

[Doug91mac26s]

I made a cardboard mockup of how I will build a compartment out of plywood, which will all be sealed to protect against moisture. I will secure two batteries as far to starboard as possible. The two batteries will be in roughly the same position relative to port/starboard as they are now under the galley. There will still be considerable room for storing things. Forward of that compartment I plan to mount a fresh water tank for the galley sink.

[Doug91mac26s]

I like the idea of using hatches, such as this Mako Boat Hatch Door, I found on ebay for $129.
That's a cardboard template I cutout so I could easily mark the cut line.



It was the largest I could find. It measures 35 1/4" long x 20 1/2" wide. Sure it may be a little expensive, but you get what you pay for. For installation all you have to do is cut the hole and screw it down. The aluminum frame provides all the strength needed to reinforce the cutout. Though I did add a piece of "L" shaped aluminum under the piano hinge (I'd call it angle iron, but it's aluminum )

The hatch door is made of starboard. When I sit on top of the vee berth now it feels much stronger than before, I can site right on the hatch, no problem and I weight 200+, very sturdy!

Here's a couple pic's of the aluminum piece and how it's installed from underneath. The aluminum piece will provide a good attachment point for the forward bulkhead of the internal compartment, that I will build.





I plan to use hatches like this in other areas of the boat as well, such as the settee's, for additional dry storage. I like the Tempress hatches because you can buy drop-in inserts similar to a rubermaid container, and when the hatch is closed it provides a watertight seal due to the rubber gasket. Which would provide more floatation in addition to the styrofoam pieces in the boat.