Material for Cubby Rebuild

rmrstlmo

I'm going to rebuild this cubby over the winter.  I'd like to glue some of the joints to reduce the number of fasteners that are seen.  I know Starboard requires fasteners.  Any suggestions on what material to use?

Dream_Inn

I took mine out and replaced with an access door to the space behind there.  There is a ton of great space there.  I now keep my tools and cleaners in that cabinet.

LaRea

Is that location exposed to weather?  If not, maybe you could use a plywood box with a Starboard face plate.  Plywood with 2 coats of primer and a coat of white bilge enamel would last a long time unless it's getting wet a lot.  

If the box is strong enough, you could leave the top open inside.  That way, a can of spray sunscreen could stand up inside the box.  

YYZRC

Agreed with @Dream_Inn. BoatOutfitters has lots of access doors for sale that would look great. This is the one I added. 

rmrstlmo

That's an interesting idea....  I never thought about changing it to a hatch.  But where would I keep my koozies!

SeaHare

Oh Cool! I know what my spring project will be! My same "cubby" on my 310 is getting kinda yellow like that.

rasbury

Interesting, have the same on the 270 right? Mine is not yellow but storage always gets an eyebrow to raise right?

Spyderweb

@YYZRC seriously considering adding a door like you did.  How is yours fastened?  All the doors shown on Boatoutfitters site have screw holes in the frame.  How is yours attached?

YYZRC

It has a lip on the inside edge. I hooked one side over the fibreglass and made up some shims out of plywood for the top edge and sides. I glued them in place with 4000. Sounds a bit confusing but it makes sense when you have it in front of you. 

I store all of my inflatable stuff in there - paddles, pump, tubes, tow ropes, etc. works great. 

Spyderweb

So shims are glued to the back of the fiberglass, and door frame glued to the shims?

YYZRC

Shims glued to fibreglass yes. The door frame is held in place by friction from the shims.

rmrstlmo

I think I might go this route too.  I just replaced a hatch like this on my RV.  It was mounted with screws on the inside flange - such that the screws are parallel with the face of the hatch.

Spyderweb

@YYZRC did you pick the whitest color "White/White?

YYZRC

This is the one I ordered.  It was called "Arctic White Plexi".

Couldn't be a closer match to the faded gelcoat.

Spyderweb

Ah, 1 shade darker.  Great!  Thanks.

SeaHare

I think it is great that they can make a high quality custom door but I just can justify paying $500 for it.

Spyderweb

The price for the size for what @YYZRC did (and I need) is around $300.  If that were to replace an old door I’d agree.  But in this case that $300 is buying a large new storage area.  Priceless!

Dream_Inn

I did one a few years ago for ~20"X15" size door and was much cheaper. I believe under $100.  I'll have to find some pictures (I know I posted some on here somewhere), but here was the link.

https://rinkerboats.vanillacommunities.com/discussion/8714/door-hatch-panel-color#latest

YYZRC

I think the storage door is my third fav modification. Hardtop, 4x4 props, storage!

Dream_Inn

YYZRC said:

I think the storage door is my third fav modification. Hardtop, 4x4 props, storage!

hmm, that sounds like a really good topic!  I might have to steal it and make a new discussion for this winter!

Dream_Inn

I found a picture of my cabinet that I had added.

Spyderweb

@YYZRC is the wider opening stern door your 4th fave?

YYZRC

Spyderweb said:

@YYZRC is the wider opening stern door your 4th fave?

Funny @Spyderweb - I've forgotten about many of the tweaks I've done.  I guess in reality my top 10 list would be more like this:

1) hardtop
2) vesselview/screens at helm
3) 4x4 props
4) elimination of icemaker + bigger cockpit fridge
5) transom locker struts
6) helm seat storage
7) elimination of shower sump box
8) solar/inverter/lithium setup (slowly moving up the list as I enjoy it more)
9) bow backrest
10) anchor washdown

I'm excluding the bow thruster because it was optional from the factory in 2008 but not on my boat.  It would definitely be my #1 otherwise.

LaRea

> I've forgotten about many of the tweaks I've done ...

Haha, don't make me go down that rabbit hole.

@rmrstlmo my boat has that same storage bin (bottom right in this photo).  I'd like to rebuild or replace it, just because it's yellowed and ugly.  Unfortunately, I can't install a door because the bin is partially blocked by the fill cushion.

Spyderweb

@YYZRC you’ve done more mods the last couple of years than I’ve dreamed of in 30+ years of boating.

YYZRC

@Spyderweb I love tweaking things.  The ROI sucks but I really enjoy it.

Spyderweb

And that’s all that really matters.  Good for you.