DaveH6
Storage space under crew seat
I figured that the 10" wide end piece was crucial to the rigidity of this cabinet so I wanted a solid panel in place. Thus the access from the cabinet front. I installed two shelves. The crew seat occupant can reach down to obtain an item. A down side of this storage access is that when viewing from the v-berth area, some unsightly storage stuff may be in sight though some hinged doors could hide it. Side access would also allow longer items to be stored. My solution is the least heavy of the other access alternatives which require doors and perhaps drawers.
If our cat Wolfie wants to go boating with us, he can use the lower access hole as a sanctuary.
My thinking on storage under the dinnette seats. Providing access via the top maximizes use of the storage volume as a landslide situation is avoided which could occur from side door access. But then again a drawer in the seat side would be a nice compromise and allow access without moving a sleeping or sitting body. A varnished mahogany drawer front would also look spiffy. We shall see.
With the front panel of the crew seat flat on my workbench (thus no sags or runs) I put a sealing coat of epoxy on it. Ideally I should coat and sand every panel before installation. However mood and time constraints has made this noble goal a spotty affair.
* Edit: Notice the magic marker writing. A boat building forum posting claims the marker can bleed through a painted surface. The panel with the writing will be sanded and sealed with a thin coat of epoxy thus I find bleed through in this case unlikely. Not sure if this bleed through claim is true but I shall cease use of magic marker on surfaces to be painted. Pencil marks can be removed via turpentine on a rag.
01/28/2012: After spraying Awlgrip epoxy primer in the forecabin area, I find that the sanded surfaces pre-coated with a coat of epoxy required minimal sanding of the primer. Bare wood sprayed with primer required much, much more work to prepare for the top coat. Highly recommend taking the time to apply at least one coat of sealing epoxy on interior surfaces to be painted. Of course bilge areas need three coats to make them " waterproof".
Edit: 06/2013- After applying Awlcraft 2000, I found that at least two coats of sealing epoxy are necessary to hide the wood grain.
Storage space under crew seat
I figured that the 10" wide end piece was crucial to the rigidity of this cabinet so I wanted a solid panel in place. Thus the access from the cabinet front. I installed two shelves. The crew seat occupant can reach down to obtain an item. A down side of this storage access is that when viewing from the v-berth area, some unsightly storage stuff may be in sight though some hinged doors could hide it. Side access would also allow longer items to be stored. My solution is the least heavy of the other access alternatives which require doors and perhaps drawers.
If our cat Wolfie wants to go boating with us, he can use the lower access hole as a sanctuary.
My thinking on storage under the dinnette seats. Providing access via the top maximizes use of the storage volume as a landslide situation is avoided which could occur from side door access. But then again a drawer in the seat side would be a nice compromise and allow access without moving a sleeping or sitting body. A varnished mahogany drawer front would also look spiffy. We shall see.
With the front panel of the crew seat flat on my workbench (thus no sags or runs) I put a sealing coat of epoxy on it. Ideally I should coat and sand every panel before installation. However mood and time constraints has made this noble goal a spotty affair.
* Edit: Notice the magic marker writing. A boat building forum posting claims the marker can bleed through a painted surface. The panel with the writing will be sanded and sealed with a thin coat of epoxy thus I find bleed through in this case unlikely. Not sure if this bleed through claim is true but I shall cease use of magic marker on surfaces to be painted. Pencil marks can be removed via turpentine on a rag.
01/28/2012: After spraying Awlgrip epoxy primer in the forecabin area, I find that the sanded surfaces pre-coated with a coat of epoxy required minimal sanding of the primer. Bare wood sprayed with primer required much, much more work to prepare for the top coat. Highly recommend taking the time to apply at least one coat of sealing epoxy on interior surfaces to be painted. Of course bilge areas need three coats to make them " waterproof".
Edit: 06/2013- After applying Awlcraft 2000, I found that at least two coats of sealing epoxy are necessary to hide the wood grain.