Has anyone done this looking for some ideas
Thanks
Has anyone done this looking for some ideas
Thanks
I have an 08 Z520 and use three lunchbox size soft side coolers for storage under my step. They fit perfectly. I use one to hold maps, spare sunglasses, lure retriever, and other paperwork. one to hold spare soft plastics that I use often, and one to hold cranks and hard baits I use often that are still in packages. They stay put and are out of the way.
Not sure what model year you have but if it's the one with the removable step, I'm in the drawing board phase of a design right now. I've got an 07 Z20. It'll either be a top swinging lid like most other boats or a sliding drawer design. In either design I'm extending the step another 3" and I'm not using the original step. The material I'm looking at is this stuff called Bluewater 26 by Coosa Composites. Ordered me a sample a a few days ago, hopefully it'll have the structural rigidity to bear weight when stepped on.
united in the pursuit of bass.
Anxious to see what you come up with I like the idea of a hinged lid for quick and easy access
BassCPT, you have a prototype on that replacement step yet?
Would love to see something with a drawer. Keep us posted.
My materials for the enclosure are currently back ordered so I'm looking into another site to order the bluewater 26.
Between the two designs a compartment hatch on top would be the easier one but I'm just not finding a waterproof lid that I like. I've found a number of different hatches and doors that can be used but they're all falling short of my "vision"
TH Marine has got a couple of hatch options but dimensionally they're not quite the right size and they're all the twist slide latches...
I'll y'all posted as I continue through the R&D for this and I'll post links for my materials.
united in the pursuit of bass.
Did you ever finish this I am wanting to do the same in my 08... both for storage and a extra seat for when the family wants to tube on vacation...Originally Posted by BassCPT
I sincerely apologize for the delay. I bought a new boat while working on that one, this project kinda got put on the bench. But fear not! I will be starting this project this weekend and the plan is to film the process and throw it up on youtube.
united in the pursuit of bass.
I'm interested as well to see what you come up with. I too wish this space was something more usable ..... other than a step or a place for me to park my rear while changing lures.
'09 Ranger Z520 Silverado Edition / '09 Evinrude ETEC 250 HO
'15 Xpress HD16DBX / Merc 59ci
2008 Z20 very interested in final design, I would think that a pull out drawer would be more practical and easier to make water proof, I currently have a 3/4" x 1 2" board cut to fit and covered with matching carpet. Great step but provides no protected storage.
Comanche20 (Don)
2008 Ranger Z 20, 225 RUDE
Ultrex 45/36/112
2 Birds
2020 F150 LIMITED Eco Boost
I ran into a bit of a snag with my original dimensions where I had assume straight lines... Apparently there is a 5/8in difference in the width of the step and a 3/4in difference in width from the top to the bottom.
I had to go find a large card board box to basically trace the step and add the additional length to match the length of my drawer slides.
The bluewater 26 material I got is fiber-reinforced foam. The 3/4" sheet is plenty solid to not flex but this material will NOT hold a screw to save it's life... I'm going to have to drill through each hole and use screws with locking nuts. This is probably where marine grade plywood would be a more viable option....
more to follow as I continue the build...
united in the pursuit of bass.
any updates?
The more I'm using this material the more I realize it's a major pain in the ass...
Also, I'm beginning to see that you lose a fair amount of space due to the angles on both the sides AND the back... I've had to go back to the drawing boards to figure out if there is a way for me to use the 12" drawer slides I bought for this project or if I have to buy shorter ones...
united in the pursuit of bass.
I have a 08 z520 and yes that space under the step is wasted space l don't know why ranger didn't incorporate that into a step/ storage I'm going to make one for mine eventually someday when I get the time l have a welder so I'm probably going to make mine out of aluminum and carpet it to match or you could try using the black marine board it's strong weather resistant and you can cut it with a regular saw and glue and screw it probably the way to go if you don't have access to a welder
I was thinking about this a little. I really do not need a full compartment here what I could use is a second step to make this one longer. I have no issue with sliding something under there like a tacklebox or something. I just want it to be deeper to be used as a seat for other reasons like tieing lures or as a spotter position when the kids want to tube. What could be useful is if there is anyone that has replaced their step and not going to use the old one maybe I could use it? let me know if you removed yours and willing to part with it.
UPDATE*
So the bluewater 26 boards I am using will not work by themselves. after doing more digging I have discovered that this stuff is a core material that is supposed to be glassed over..... I could technically glue the pieces together and glass it into one solid piece, but that's a lot of glass weave and resin I would have to buy...
At this point I'm probably going to go to 3/4" plywood and seal it with enamel paint. On the bright side, I can use the boards I've already cut as a template to trace out on the plywood.
united in the pursuit of bass.
Have you thought about something like ultradeck?
I did consider that as alternative material, but as far I could find, it only comes in planks that have to be assembled rather than a large sheet.
united in the pursuit of bass.
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