E43 Shower Seat
Date: April 20, 1999
From: Adolph Weidanz weidanza@subasenlon.com
Does anyone know what is under the shower seat in the aft head? It sounds hollow, and I'm thinking of creating a locker out of it. I have a 78 E-43, Does anyone have an hour meter built in to the tach. If not did you install one somewhere else.
If you have the Onan 7.5kw, where do you have your oil pressure gauge? Is there a water temp gauge (mine doesn't)????
Date: April 24, 1999
From: Joe Kovacich NLandNav@aol.com
As far as I can tell, there's nothing behind the shower seat. I've considered putting in a beckson plate to create a small storage area, but simply haven't gotten around to it.
Another GREAT place to open up for storage is in the main salon, under the corner of the settee... I cut a "L" shaped opening that's 23" wide by 17" long (overall)! Just lay out a line 2" in from the forward wall (head) and 2" in from the settee storage area on the starboard side. Then offset those lines by 13". Limit the Port end of the opening to 23 inches from the 2" offset line along the settee storage wall and limit the aft end of the opening to 17" from the 2" line along the head wall. Pick a corner to start in and lay out a triangular corner finger hole similiar to the boards under the forward bunk (or the master bunk). Carefully cut out the "L" shaped opening with a jig saw (you will use it as the cover). I cut 2" wide plywood pieces to form the supports and screwed them in place from the top (overlap 1" under the surrounding area to provide a 1" lip similiar to all the other cover boards under the bunks). We store enough food under there for many weeks! You will notice it also opens up access to the area behind the drawers on the starboard side.... we put stuff in containers that fit in there and tether them with strings so we can push the containers back in there one after another and still be able to pull them back out.
I put my engine hour meter under the water heater next to the oil dip stick. I am considering moving it to the nav station.
I don't have a generator - I have a bank of 2 - 8D gel cell batteries down there instead.
Date: April 25, 1999
From: Joe Kovacich NLandNav@aol.com
My friend, John, just returned from the Bahamas aboard his E43 "Panacea". He stopped by yesterday and I asked him if he had opened up the shower seat yet (we had discussed it several times in the past 3 years....)
John said he "stored 8 cases of soda in there this year"! It turns out that it even has the floor running under it. I don't know what he used to finish the hole - I'd guess he used some sort of beckson cover. He did caution me to make sure to cut off all the screws that stick through into that area before using it - he apparently discovered them AFTER several cans of soda had been pierced.
Guess I'll have to add this modification to my list now too!
Date: July 14, 1999
From: Van Stoffer abnjp@erienet.net
Paul, I think I have it this time!
There is never enough storage space on a cruising boat so any extra space is a help. The Endeavour 40 has several closed spaces that can be fairly easily accessed for additional storage. First, there is a sizable area walled of by plywood back of the two aft drawers under the saloon seats. Drill some holes to get a sabre saw started and you can cut out an opening about 8" x 14" back of these two drawers (there's not much room back of the foward drawer and it can be easily accessed from back of the middle drawer). This is a good place to stow 12-packs of pop or beer or other heavy items as it is below the waterline. I don't believe structural integerity is seriously affected by this loss of a little plywood.
Second, the areas behind the comodes in the two heads can be accessed by cutting an 11" x11" opening just above the comode and installing a 12" x 12" teak frame with a louvered door as sold in many marine stores. The door can be hinged or held with Velco strips (Velcro is easier). This mod not only provides extra space to store t.p., paper towels etc. but provides access to hoses that run through this area (dont saw into them!). This mod is also courtesy of Jeff on 'Tiffiny.
Third,a smaller space over top of the drawers and hanging locker in the aft cabin can be accessed by sawing a 4" x 11" opening back of and under the light fixture. This is a good dry spot for storing spare electronics, etc. and can be covered with a 5" x 12" teak 'step' Velcroed in position.
Fourth, the two lockers at the port and starboard of the aft bunk have access from the top at the aft end but the largest storage areas are completely out of reach. Again, installation of 12" x 12" teak frames with louvered doors at the lower foward ends of these lockers provides easy access. These frames must be installed very close to the cover boards of the lockers under the bunk or they will run into the shelf under the deck lockers. While it is necessary to lift a corner of the aft bunk mattress to access these doors , a considerable amount of usable storage is gained.
Fifth, remove the plywood beneath the bottom drawer of the three drawers at the port side fwd in the main saloon. This is not a very large area but a good spot for some seldom used tools. There is also a sizable space back of the three drawers on the stbrd side of the aft cabin which can be accessed just by removing the drawers.
Now that I've filled up all these spaces the only answer may be a bigger boat!
