Engine Compartment
Date: October 21, 1998
From: Tom Gilbert TGil95746@aol.com
My ''80 E32 is new to me and I need a little background. In the engine compartment is a piece of marine grade plywood just under the cockpit floor near the starboard hatch and a few inches inboard. This plywood runs in line with the boat, and acts as a partition so as not to get my foot stuck on the steering or gland nut when I go down there. It appaers to be factory installed with hull and cockpit floor fiberglass matting to keep it in place. It also precludes me from getting over to the port side of the engine compartment. Does anyone else have this "partition" and what have you done with it? (I'd like to remove it so I can access the port side of the engine bay aft of the batteries case. It also makes it almost impossible to service the packing nut on the prop shaft. Standing by with the sawzall, Tom.
Date: October 26, 1998
From: Paul Uhl endvr32@endeavourowners.com
Tom,
Our 32 has the same board, however it also has several bolt latches to 'lock' it in place. When we need access to the aft end of the engine (ie: packing nut), we simply unlock the bolt latches and pull out the board. It does serve a real purpose on our boat as it keeps the lazarette items from falling into the engine compartment. I don't recommend that you remove it permanently, but find a way to remove and repalce it such as ours. From your comment it sounds as if your board is fixed permanently. If so, you may want to consider the latches. My biggest problem is getting myself in and out ;-)
Date: November 10, 1998
From: Tom Gilbert TGil95746@aol.com
OK Excellent..... I'll do the R and R with a removable piece in place...... Thanks...
Date: November 13, 1998
From: Tom Gilbert TGil95746@aol.com
Just what do you put down there ??? I throw my two fenders in there upon leaving the slip, but even they clip onto a wooden support and hang harmlessly in the opening. I hang my fishing poles from little supports above the water heater and the top of the compartment aft. Even my crab net goes up into clasps/clamps. Hmm.
Date: November 13, 1998
From: Paul Uhl endvr32@endeavourowners.com
Tom, we keep our fenders and spare anchor and rode in the locker. Also a bucket. If the fenders are placed correctly you can get 6 of them in there with out any interference. I tuck one behind the fuel tank locker and stand 3 up against the hull. Another lays down flat with a bucket. Neatness helps.
Date: November 24, 1998
From: Rob Chamber rchamber@snip.net
Paul,
Finally got around to make a post. My 1979 Endeavour 32 also has a board with latches on it. The latches have flat slides. Usually I put my fenders in the stern locker. I also have a removable board in this location. This makes checking on the rudder post easier.
Date: December 1, 1998
From: Tom Gilbert TGil95746@aol.com
Sorry about the delay.. I bought a laptop and lost my brain....I'm out of the water now, and took the sawzall in hand...A note of clarification here first....I have a relocated fuel tank ! It's just foward of the engine under the cabin floor. 18 gallons, I'm told. Anyway, the partition is out and , VIOLA, I can access the entire aft engine bay and have lunch. I will design some shelves for the area in the future. I thought I'd store my tool boxes down there if they are not too heavy. Small ledge type shelves with lips to stop the sliding and elastic tie wraps for over the tops....I'd like ideas to use in the project, so it's open for comments...
