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.............................................--- Companionway Storage - Part I ---
As soon as I saw the Endeavour and the galley layout all of the wasted space behind the companionway was in my mind. The plan to take care of that was to install a storage unit into the space behind where the 3 left parallel arrows are.
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When done I didn't want to limit access by much to the Perkins 4-108 diesel below the companion way. To get to it you remove two thumb screws that are located where the 2 bottom side arrows. Once they are out, less than a minute. You then lift the upper steps straight up out of brackets where the upper 2 side arrows are and place the steps off to the side in the cabin. Next you just lift the lower steps out and put them aside. Finally you lift the insulated top cover off, bottom middle arrow and you have access...
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...to the diesel, which will be cleaned up vs. the image above. So the plan was to have a unit that once the upper steps were removed you then just lift off the storage unit after pulling the drawers in it and placing it also off to the side. As you will see and now we have a lot more storage by the galley and getting to the diesel takes less than a minute longer.
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The main structure of the unit was first made with plywood sides and pine cross-members. Measurements were made with the steps in place. The bottom arrows point to where the thumb screws insert that hold the steps in place and the new piece was aligned right up to them.The top arrow points to where a cut had to be made for....
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.... clearance for the drinking water platform that was installed on the previous page.
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Another view of the area of concern.
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The upper arrow points to one of the two brackets that positions the steps at the top of the companionway. A corresponding bracket on the steps just slides down into the one on the side of the bulkhead. Again the bottom arrow points to where the thumb screw is inserted. Simple but effective and very fast to get to the diesel if needed.
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The plywood sides were cut in such a way that they just overlap the ....
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... steps on each side. That locates the unit from side to side. The new storage will not be physically attached to anything to expedite removal. It will have a couple locators as will be shown that locates it that I feel very good about it staying in position an any situation we might find ourselves, within reason of course!
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At this point the plywood side on the right side above limits access to the switch panel. The only switches on the panel that are still used are the two rows above the arrows. I plan on moving those circuits to something else by the nav. station in the future.
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The far right arrow points to the back of the 2 1/2 gallon water container. The left arrows point to reference lines for the piece, next picture, that has the drawer track on it.
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Above are the tracks for the topmost drawer. The one on the left had to be clearance a little due to the drinking water mount. A shorter drawer glide track was used for this top drawer since there wasn't as much room behind the step there.
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Here the tracks are in position..
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... using the reference lines.
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These tracks fit just behind the back of the steps, further locating the storage unit.
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Only one drawer was installed by the top step. In the next area behind the next step two drawers will be installed. They won't be very high, but their purpose is for kitchen utensils like knives, large spoons and other items that you don't want buried.
The arrow points to clearance so that the tracks can...
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... stick out further and not hit the steps.
