Better use of coaming space/cockpit sidewalls?

[MooseheadDoc]

Has anyone with a smaller Grady found a better way to use cockpit wall space?
I’m still new to my ‘93 Adventure 20. The coaming space (pictured incompletely in the attached ‘before’ pic as I was removing the Duratrim for refinishing) is not a great use of space.

I’m considering removing the existing insert to modify it- maybe a pull-out style ‘glove box’, or at least pockets. Might simply rewire the old, socket charger with a USB charger, move it to the coaming box and create a phone holder/charger mount there.

Any ideas or personal experience?

Thanks... JB

 

[blindmullet]

Fill part of it in for a 6.5" speaker. I'm in the middle of that project right now. You can add the usb charger to the box you make.

 

[HookUp]

I did the opposite. I had a round speaker in the top forward corner, and removed it. I redid the cupholder using 1/2 in starboard and bought a one of these for each side and used screws to hold them.



Or something like this if it works for you.

 

[MooseheadDoc]

Cool. Any pix installed? I could definitely see making something like that work... something for a phone/misc holder near a USB charger, and the knife/accessory holder. Lots of cool options.

 

[HookUp]

I will take some next time I'm up in the boat

 

[Fishtales]

not a ton of space or depth so whatever you decide go thin for the structure.

 

[HookUp]

Its not much, but handy.
Im thinking about adding a 1inch wide piece starboard strip about 3/4 of the way up I can use to hang hooks and lures

 

[MooseheadDoc]

Yep, that's the kind of thing I have in mind- some combination of re-purposed accessories that will make the space more functional.
BTW- have you ever removed that plastic coaming liner? Any idea how much space is behind it?
I wonder if it would accommodate a small, side-mount throttle control. I just bought a new trolling motor to mount in the spring and have to decide on my control options.....

 

[HookUp]

If I remember there is about a half inch back there behind the liner

 

[Lt.Mike]

I did the opposite. I had a round speaker in the top forward corner, and removed it. I redid the cupholder using 1/2 in starboard and bought a one of these for each side and used screws to hold them.
View attachment 16824


Or something like this if it works for you.
View attachment 16825

Careful of storing sharps around the helm. Catch a bad wave that leaves you or a passenger grabbing for something to catch your balance or end up falling into it...

 

[HookUp]

True that. I personally like my knives in the stern, where the action is

 

[MooseheadDoc]

Any amateur fiberglass fabricators out there?

I've been watching a bunch of YouTube videos created by professional and amateur car enthusiasts who create fiberglass door panel modifications. Most of these are done as part of custom sound system installations, some to "pimp out" stock vehicles, and a few just for fun and/or routine repair. The process, materials, and tools look pretty straightforward. I've done some very basic fiberglass work as part of my hatch repair- that came out better than I'd hoped, and the learning curve is pretty steep.
Seems like it would be pretty easy to remove the existing plastic coaming, use it as a mold, modify it slightly to create some compartments/contours, and make a custom fiberglass coaming insert. I could then paint it with the same one-part urethane paint I used on my hatch repair. Worst case scenario- I botch it horribly and just re-install the original plastic insert.

Anybody already tried this? Tips, suggestions, results, comments...........................?

 

[blindmullet]

Any amateur fiberglass fabricators out there?

I've been watching a bunch of YouTube videos created by professional and amateur car enthusiasts who create fiberglass door panel modifications. Most of these are done as part of custom sound system installations, some to "pimp out" stock vehicles, and a few just for fun and/or routine repair. The process, materials, and tools look pretty straightforward. I've done some very basic fiberglass work as part of my hatch repair- that came out better than I'd hoped, and the learning curve is pretty steep.
Seems like it would be pretty easy to remove the existing plastic coaming, use it as a mold, modify it slightly to create some compartments/contours, and make a custom fiberglass coaming insert. I could then paint it with the same one-part urethane paint I used on my hatch repair. Worst case scenario- I botch it horribly and just re-install the original plastic insert.

Anybody already tried this? Tips, suggestions, results, comments...........................?

Yep, I have done it a bunch of times for different boat parts. I need to do the insert for the faucet on the deck.

You just clean the part, use some wax or PVA and glass away. You can modify with polyurethane foam. After you glass over it and the part is pulled you just clean the foam out. I usually paint vs gelcoat in the part.

The recessed fire extinguishers part sold everywhere is crap. I have made that one half a dozen times for friends.