I grew up with parents whose approach to child rearing would probably be considered abusive by today’s standards, but I’m rather thankful for this because under that regime it was a requirement to clean up after myself, so as a result I’ve become quite adept at maximizing the storage space on boats (and houses, too).
Here are some ideas to think about how you should store the many things you need to have aboard your boat.
Ensure Safety Equipment is Accessible – Sometimes this isn’t always obvious. Bags of life vests in the bilge are useless if the boat is going down and the engine hatch is blocked or inoperable.
Put Frequently Used Items into Convenient Compartments – The daily boat cleaner, beverage cups, and sunscreen are all items you probably use more often than the spare oil or extra bedding. Make it easy on yourself.
Don’t Let “Slip” Slip Your Mind – Boats move. It should come as no surprise when something stored is not in the same spot after a cruise. When storing items in a compartment or cabinet, think about in which direction those items will move when the boat goes forward, and then pack the space to minimize movement. As they say on airplanes, “be careful when opening overhead bins because contents may have shifted during the flight.” Same thing applies.
Have a Place for Everything – Perhaps this crosses the line into my OCD territory, but I designate a spot in the storage compartments for everything. If it’s not there, I know I either need to go find it, or more likely, replace it.
Containers for “Multi-Part” Items – Boat storage can be funny. Some cavernous compartments may prove challenging to reach all corners, and some may have trap doors where items can be easily lost. I keep items in clear containers so they stay dry and all contents are together. For example, the raft inflator, its nozzles, cables, and raft repair patches all live in an easy-to-find clear plastic container. Same thing for the orbital buffer, pads, waxes, and polishes.
Secure Bilge Items – If using the bilge to store things, make sure they are very secure. Cable ties, bungee cords–anything to keep those items from coming lose as a result of a large wave, and then crashing into an engine.
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