As I will be using the boat for day-long and overnight trips, I needed to consider the addition of a cabinet to allow storage of dishes, cuttlery, and some basic condiments in the cabin (as I have learned from camping experiences on land that storing everything in containers is not always practical and readily at hand). I decided to build a wall cabinet and storage shelf that would also include a bracket for a small cabin table that could easily be stored when not in use.
Here is the design I decided would meet my needs as well as fit in the cabin without getting in the way. As you can see, it replaces the snap-on cover that allowed access to behind the helm area. In this picture you can also see how the cabin table stores away below the lower storage shelf when not in use.
Note the table brackets located below the lower storage shelf.
Behind the storage area for plates, I installed a 5 inch screw-in deck plate to allow easy access to the fuse panel without always having to remove the entire cabinet.
In this picture you can see how the table connects to the table brackets located below the storage shelf. For extra support, I have installed a removeable table leg that connects next to the 4 inch access plate next to the cabin step. I originally thought of installing the table in the middle of the V-berth, as usually done in other Trophy models and by other manufacturers of similar boats. However, this would conflict with the current location of the porta-potti and possibly restrict easy entry to the cabin. In my opinion, this set-up much more functional and less restrictive for my current needs.
A couple more things to point out include; the relocation of the VHF radio to the left of the lower storage shelf, a small electric cabin heater located to the right of the lower storage shelf. I have recently installed a Weems and Plath combination barometer/thermo/hydro unit on the wall cabinet above the 12 volt power outlet (Refer to first picture for this project). My intention with this set-up is to use it as a mini navigation centre.
Note: Some other boaters have questionned my placement of the VHF radio in the cabin rather than at the helm. There are two main reasons for this decision:
1) I prefer to keep my electronics out-of-sight, out-of-mind for theft reasons when the boat is docked, and
2) I always have my hand-held Uniden Atlantis 250 VHF radio at the helm. Therefore, I always have a VHF radio within reach on the boat.
