While I’m updating my plumbing, I’ve been thinking about ways to improve access to key locations. The first was the inaccessible bilge compartment just in front of the engine. The bilge pump hoses and fresh water lines to the head transition from the starboard side of the bilge to the port side in this compartment, so access is necessary to replace any of these hoses. I improved access this area by cutting in a removable panel (I haven't replaced the sole yet, so I'm not too concerned about the screw heads showing):
The next area is under the sink. The thru hulls, foot pumps, and raw water manifold are all accessible, but the back faucets are almost impossible to get to. I was trying to come up with a way to use threaded rods to hold down the sink using the tabs that are welded on, but now I’m thinking of just adding a screw in each corner from above. It isn’t the pretties solution, but it would make removing the sink a lot easer. If I use a foam or rubber gasket below the flange, I won’t have to fight sealant when removing the sink either.
The last area of concern is the area under the trash compartment. All of the fresh water lines outside the head run through this area. I already removed the bottom of the compartment, but quickly realized it’s too deep to reach from the top. I was able to wedge my body in the engine compartment and reach around the bulkhead, but that required an empty engine compartment. I’m thinking of cutting out the bulkhead and adding a removable shelf. This should give better access and I’m not seeing any structural reason for it to be there. It would also make taking the trash out much easier and I could add an access panel to be able to reach the back of the sink.
So, has anyone done any of these modifications? Any concerns I should be thinking of before I start cutting?
The next area is under the sink. The thru hulls, foot pumps, and raw water manifold are all accessible, but the back faucets are almost impossible to get to. I was trying to come up with a way to use threaded rods to hold down the sink using the tabs that are welded on, but now I’m thinking of just adding a screw in each corner from above. It isn’t the pretties solution, but it would make removing the sink a lot easer. If I use a foam or rubber gasket below the flange, I won’t have to fight sealant when removing the sink either.
The last area of concern is the area under the trash compartment. All of the fresh water lines outside the head run through this area. I already removed the bottom of the compartment, but quickly realized it’s too deep to reach from the top. I was able to wedge my body in the engine compartment and reach around the bulkhead, but that required an empty engine compartment. I’m thinking of cutting out the bulkhead and adding a removable shelf. This should give better access and I’m not seeing any structural reason for it to be there. It would also make taking the trash out much easier and I could add an access panel to be able to reach the back of the sink.
So, has anyone done any of these modifications? Any concerns I should be thinking of before I start cutting?