liferaft locker

[byo]

Hi there, has anyone had the rear liferaft locker out of a Sun Odyessy 43 deck saloon? If so how?
Cheers, Bruce.

[rxc]

I can't quite tell you how, but mine was removed to install the genset there. Then a custom wood/fiberglass structure was constructed to hold the genset, and a large plastic panel was screwed in place that includes a door that opens to get access to the genset. I have been told that this is one of the two places on this boat that was intended to house a genset. The other is up fwd under the V-berth aft of the water tank.

What are you thinking of doing?

[Amun Ra]

I saw one 43DS before I bought mine that had had the liferaft locker removed to fit a genset. However the locker was no longer watertight and any flooding into it went straight into the bilges.

[windspeak]

Hi byo i am also looking to use the aft locker for other purposes and intend to explore the possibilitys of removing the existing casing when i come out of the water in January so i would be very interested if you make any progress in the intrem if not i will let you know how i get on

[byo]

Hello all, I intend to mount a genset there but I also need access to the cavity adjacent to it to fix some brackets for a snap davit kit to mount the tender on
Cheers, Bruce.

[rxc]

To get into the cavity to port of the liferaft locker you need to lift the storage locker in the aft port corner of the boat. It, like the propane locker, is silicone-ed in place (and maybe has some screws). I had both removed to install my genset and arch, and I told the installer to leave them unglued, which was generally a good idea. If you install a genset in the liferaft locker, you will find that when you need to access it for maintenance it is sometimes better to come at the genset from above, instead of from the stern.

I have now re-glued the propane locker back, because I found that it occasionally lets rain water into the boat, but the port-side locker does not seem to leak. And I find that I need to get into that space MUCH more often than under the propane locker.

Poke around the edge of the locker "tub"as it sits on the ledge there, and you will find a soft spot that you can cut, and then lift the tub out and crawl down inside.

BTW, how tall/"prosperous" are you? When it gets hard for me to fit down this hole I know that I am gaining weight...<g>

[Amun Ra]

Hi Bruce,

Without wishing to hijack or divert the thread (!) I am interested in your decisions about snap-davits. I have just decided to fit them and was pondering on the best kit/way to fit.

Best wishes

Julian

[byo]

Hi RXC thanks for your reply, makes a lot of sense I will look at doing it this way. Cheers Bruce.

Hi Amun Ra, I have looked at two make of snap davits, one made by Weaver Snap Davits which appears to be very good quality but expensive, I was quoted $1500.00 Aus for complete kit which is bolted to the top of the swim platform. The other kit is marketed by Swift Marine called Swift snap davits, I don't know if they make them or buy them in but they make a range of hypalon tenders. This kit costs $500-00 Aus but to get them to fit I need to fabricate some brackets to bolt to the transom below the swim platform in order to get the height of the tender correct, I need access inside the rear of the yacht to bolt reinforcing plates on the inside. Check their web sites for pictures etc.
Cheers, Bruce.

[Donrob]

I too permanently removed the propane locker glue and replaced it with a rubber gasket and some screws which seems to have worked. I often needed to get access to the cavity underneath this locker and it appears this is the only way to get in there. I also removed glue on port locker in my case housing a circuit breaker and shore power cable but this opening is too small for a person of average size to get through. Besides there is the life raft locker obstructing the opening. So to get access to the big cavity under cockpit on starboard the life raft locker needs to come out. Plan to do this one day possibly to install an a/c unit or a genet. Question is once the life raft locker is taken out how do you reseal the opening so it is waterproof. Also the life raft locker is valuable storage place and it would be good if one can find a way store the genset and the a/c unit in the cavity and still keep the liferaft locker. A tall order I know but may be possible if example one can turn bottom of life raft locker into a waterproof hatch.

[bill42i]

Hi,

In the aft bulkhead of my starboard aft cabin, there is a removable hatch. This is retained by a push button catch and provides access to the steering gear, through deck fittings and transom shower etc. The hatch fits snugly and is very hard to see. This is standard my 42i and, I would expect, for other Jeanneau yachts. Could be the answer to some of your problems.

[Amun Ra]

Hi Bruce,

Thank you very much for that information about snap davits. The full Weaver kit is about £300 in the UK and I will investigate whether that works for me. I have a Bombard AX500 rib which sits quite high in the water, so I hope fitting plates onto the swim platform will work. The alternative is to fit plates transom style onto the rear beneath the swim platform, however I suspect that will allow the rib to drag in the water when healed over.

Best wishes

Julian