JDSCHMOO
Jet Boat Addict
- Messages
- 90
- Reaction score
- 72
- Points
- 117
- Boat Make
- Yamaha
- Year
- 2010
- Boat Model
- Limited S
- Boat Length
- 24
After racking my brain and staring at my boat forever, I finally came up with a solution for trash on my boat. I was tired of tying trash bags to posts, and going on friends boats with built on trash cans! It may not work for everyone, but it's perfect for me and my crew, since I rarely use the helm storage area anyway.
First I bought this port/hatch, whatever you wanna call it...
https://www.amazon.com/SEAFLO-Marine-Screw-Inspection-Access/dp/B014Q8NPH6/ref=sr_1_5?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1469638519&sr=1-5&keywords=4+inch+screw+out+deck+plate
I was going to try to remove the windshield and use a hole saw, then thought about using a hole saw from below instead, but i ended up just using a dremel with a drill bit. It was messy, but I wasn't concerned with that since I was going to clean the boat anyway.
Then I had to extend the lip that would be below deck by pvc gluing a piece of 4" pvc to the bottom, it was a perfect fit. Needed to extend that piece so I can remove the elbow if I want to down the road. I didn't want the entire piece to be permanent, just the hatch.
I used this 90 degree elbow from Lowes/HD from the outdoor corrugated pipe area. I had also fitted a pvc elbow, but it was a little heavier than I liked, this is much lighter.
I used these nylon screws and wingnuts to connect the two pieces so that the elbow could be removed if needed without having to take off the hatch, which is now glued to the gelcoat.
Drilled some holes in the elbow and pvc, added the nylon screws, threw in a trash can that I had sitting around which I'll probaby just bungee in place and voila! Looks good, functional, no need to tie off any bags, out of the wind, fits cans/bottles and most everything else i'd have to throw away. Anything bigger than that, you can still open the door to throw away if needed.
The only things I keep in the helm storage is the table and legs, which I never use, and the Jetboatpilot basketball net which only comes out at anchor. Other than that I store the bimini cover when it's open. All of those still have plenty of room, plus I can still store my bumpers in there as well.
Very happy with the results.
A couple of things to watch out if you decide to do this...
The hole must be drilled precisely to clear the door and other contours underneath the dash. I was a little off with my placement and had to trim my elbow to clear the door. Not a big deal, but just be aware. Also keep in mind that you need a little extra room for the elbow to clear the door trim on the inside of the helm storage area. Just go slow, check, recheck, and check again before you begin to cut.
When drilling your holes in the elbow/ring, make sure to compensate for the thickness of the fiberglass. I ended up drilling more of an oval so I had some wiggle room.
The screws cannot all be installed in the hatch without removing the windshield which I did not want to do. I was able to put the three screws in closest to the end, and glue the hatch ring down. I may cut some screw heads off and glue them just to complete the look.
First I bought this port/hatch, whatever you wanna call it...
https://www.amazon.com/SEAFLO-Marine-Screw-Inspection-Access/dp/B014Q8NPH6/ref=sr_1_5?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1469638519&sr=1-5&keywords=4+inch+screw+out+deck+plate
I was going to try to remove the windshield and use a hole saw, then thought about using a hole saw from below instead, but i ended up just using a dremel with a drill bit. It was messy, but I wasn't concerned with that since I was going to clean the boat anyway.
Then I had to extend the lip that would be below deck by pvc gluing a piece of 4" pvc to the bottom, it was a perfect fit. Needed to extend that piece so I can remove the elbow if I want to down the road. I didn't want the entire piece to be permanent, just the hatch.
I used this 90 degree elbow from Lowes/HD from the outdoor corrugated pipe area. I had also fitted a pvc elbow, but it was a little heavier than I liked, this is much lighter.
I used these nylon screws and wingnuts to connect the two pieces so that the elbow could be removed if needed without having to take off the hatch, which is now glued to the gelcoat.
Drilled some holes in the elbow and pvc, added the nylon screws, threw in a trash can that I had sitting around which I'll probaby just bungee in place and voila! Looks good, functional, no need to tie off any bags, out of the wind, fits cans/bottles and most everything else i'd have to throw away. Anything bigger than that, you can still open the door to throw away if needed.
The only things I keep in the helm storage is the table and legs, which I never use, and the Jetboatpilot basketball net which only comes out at anchor. Other than that I store the bimini cover when it's open. All of those still have plenty of room, plus I can still store my bumpers in there as well.
Very happy with the results.
A couple of things to watch out if you decide to do this...
The hole must be drilled precisely to clear the door and other contours underneath the dash. I was a little off with my placement and had to trim my elbow to clear the door. Not a big deal, but just be aware. Also keep in mind that you need a little extra room for the elbow to clear the door trim on the inside of the helm storage area. Just go slow, check, recheck, and check again before you begin to cut.
When drilling your holes in the elbow/ring, make sure to compensate for the thickness of the fiberglass. I ended up drilling more of an oval so I had some wiggle room.
The screws cannot all be installed in the hatch without removing the windshield which I did not want to do. I was able to put the three screws in closest to the end, and glue the hatch ring down. I may cut some screw heads off and glue them just to complete the look.
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