Fish Bin
 

I converted my two small (useless) deck hatches into a larger one and added a custom stainless steel bin to store fish below the deck. This will replace a large cooler and save some deck space. Here is a summary of the project:

Before:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...1_edited-3.jpg


To start, I removed the cracked bins and cut the floor between the hatches.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...ul2/Before.jpg


I had to be careful because the fuel line was attached to the under side.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...2/FirstCut.jpg


Of course these projects always seem to open up a can of worms, and I found some cracking around the screw holes from the old bins. I started grinding and the next thing you know, I was in the gelcoat repair business! Color matching is a real chore, but I got it close enough.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...sandCracks.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7..._8350_0948.jpg

I had to re-route the fuel line to go around the outside of the bin. The nipple at the tank was pointing the wrong direction and was less than 2" from the bulkhead. I tried to turn the nipple, but it wouldn't budge and I didn't want to break it off, so I found a 90 degree brass elbow and re-routed the line.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...aul2/Elbow.jpg


I drilled through the two bulkheads that run between the fuel tank and the engine compartment, and ran a new fuel line, attaching it and the fuel tank ground wire neatly around the bin with some nice stainless steel brackets:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...fpaul2/Bow.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...aul2/Bilge.jpg


My brother's inlaws are in the sheet metal business, so I was able to get a custom bin made out of "scrap" stainless (never used).
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...2/IMG_6901.jpg


I designed the bin with a wide flange around the top that overhangs on the outside of the bin for hanging, and on the inside to keep ice/water/fish from sloshing out of the bin when I'm underway. The bottom is contoured with the hull of the boat to maximize capacity. It seems like a good design, but I haven't tested it yet...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...2/IMG_6902.jpg


After a little grinding for a perfect fit to prevent too much water from getting under the deck, I dropped it in
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...fpaul2/Bin.jpg


Next was the hatch cover. For this, I bought a scrap of nice plywood and coated it completely with fiberglass resin. I was going to take it another step further and add some non-skid bed-liner paint for extra protection, but I haven't yet.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...6_edited-1.jpg

I punched out a finger hole in the lid for now, but I may put some hardware on it later.

I like how this project came out and can't wait to test it out!

excellent job....nice stainless work too!

I do like that!!
Great job!

great idea, fish box/fish fryer!!!

Excellent and neat work, I like the way you secure the fuel line, Its up to you but I like to double clamp the hose at the filter it will not hurt a thing...
Pros will recommend the clamps to be "snapper" type but I also use the ones like you do ..

Sweet Job!

Looks familiar, Great Job
 

I had the same issue, two useless holes in the floor.
I love the Stainless fab work looks great..

Hey I like those mods guys, great ideas! I'm a metal fab guy on the side, mainly copper, but I certainly can appreciate the workmanship there. Looks awesome!

BR, I ran accross an old article about bait knives in an old issue of Wooden Boat. The guy was making them out of Berylium Copper. You ever heard about it? It said it was the hardest non ferus metal available. I looked around for about two months, met some neat people during the hunt, including a silver smith and a manufature of copper lamps, got some strange looks(it is an alpha emiters/radiactive), and finally gave up. In the article it made a great bait knife. (big hint for Christmas gifts for all your V-20 friends)

Never heard of it but that sounds pretty cool. I'm thinking it would be expensive given the cost of copper these days.

Speaking of copper lamps - thats pretty much what I do. Not so much lamps as much as landscape lighting - post lanterns, wall lanterns, hanging lanterns, custom work etc.

Here's a link to a customer of mine. I made the lanterns, signs, and a custom porch light you can't see in the link. My website (copperlighting.com) is down right now for refurb but using it I've had customers in close to 20 states over the last 10 years.
http://www.copperlanterninn.com/