What is this space for?

[garbageguy]

I have a 1998 Wellcraft 240 SE. The aft seat cushion is hinged and lifts up. There is a space under there the length of the seat, not quite as wide as the seat, and has a drain at the bottom.

Anybody have a boat like this and know what that space is intended for? Sorry, I don't have any pics of it right now, but thought I'd see if anyone else has this boat. I suppose it can be used for anything, just wondering if it was designed for a specific purpose. As always, thanks in advance.

 

[moosehead]

Re: What is this space for?

Cooler. We have something similar. It is largely for one day or say overnight outings, convenient but not as thermally efficient as a fully insulated cooler. Icemelt drains into the bilge.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: What is this space for?

Probably just storage.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: What is this space for?

It's for anything you would like to use it for.

 

[Jonnybbad]

Re: What is this space for?

Cooler or storage depending on how it is finished inside. I would guess it is a cooler if there is no carpet or wood in there.

 

[garbageguy]

Re: What is this space for?

Thanks for the input. The drain goes out a thru-hull. I've often though about it's use as a big cooler burning up lots if ice. But seems it would only be useful for beverages. Great for my mates, but of limited use to me til back at the dock. Right now it serves well as a place for empty beverage containers that can be rinsed out easily.

 

[saumon]

Re: What is this space for?

Thanks for the input. The drain goes out a thru-hull. I've often though about it's use as a big cooler burning up lots if ice. But seems it would only be useful for beverages. Great for my mates, but of limited use to me til back at the dock. Right now it serves well as a place for empty beverage containers that can be rinsed out easily.

Did you plug it (the drain)? Your post make me think you're not and, based on its location, you should, as water there could add a lot of weight to the stern...

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: What is this space for?

Did you plug it (the drain)? Your post make me think you're not and, based on its location, you should, as water there could add a lot of weight to the stern...

That one has me all confused!

A cooler full of ice will weigh no more than one full of the same amount of water.
If he plugged the drain the water would not drain out.
Of course Not draining out the water would keep the beverages colder longer.

So open the drain to lessen the weight or close the drain to retain the cold.

 

[saumon]

Re: What is this space for?

That one has me all confused!

A cooler full of ice will weigh no more than one full of the same amount of water.
If he plugged the drain the water would not drain out.
Of course Not draining out the water would keep the beverages colder longer.

So open the drain to lessen the weight or close the drain to retain the cold.

I should have added: "if you're not using it as a cooler". On some model, they're so low they'll fill up to water level while at rest. Sloshing water is an unnecessary weight when using it as a storage compartment. If it is higher than waterline, leave it unplugged.

 

[garbageguy]

Re: What is this space for?

The thru hull is well above the water line, and the drain is not plugged. My apologies for not posting pics.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: What is this space for?

could also be used as a fish box.... add a bunch of ice and top off w crappies

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: What is this space for?

it's a fish locker. It's made for the big fish you catch in salt water. So if you get a bunch of crappies (bait fish), run out to the inlet and replace them with 60# stripers and drum.
The drain is for your melting ice and for cleaning. I use frozen plastic jugs as ice blocks in mine.

If not used for big fish, use it for storage or a cooler. I have two in the bow of my boat and dedicate one to storage. I have a plug for it so in rough water I don't get water up in there through the drain but it hasn't been a problem. but leave it unplugged so rain water can drain.
If you use it for a cooler, add something like a inch stack of newspaper on top for insulation. Or put smaller soft-side coolers in it.

Girls might use it for a head, too; I have a livewell for that since it flushes! In your case that's a lot of useful space to take off-line for a head; may as well just keep the bucket in there instead.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: What is this space for?

Need a picture. I have a similar boat as the OP but the cuddy version I have areas near my engine that are also drained and they are just storage areas,

 

[shrew]

Re: What is this space for?

It's more than likely just a locker with a drain in it. Unless the walls are insulated, I seriously doubt it is a cooler. Every single locker in my cockpit has a drain in it. Certainly the vertical lockers with doors aren't coolers as well.

It's for the guy that says "I have this stuff, like, boat lines that are soaked when I bring them on the boat, where can I put them?" OR "Why don't they put drains in the bottom of the locker rather than allowing water to collect down there. i'm tired of emptying everything and sponging out the standing water".

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: What is this space for?

A fish box always drains overboard, never into the bilge. Yuk.
Depending on the set-up and quality of the boat, other compartments will drain either overboard or into the bilge. There are advantages and disadvantages to each method. And as Shrew notes, on a good boat, every cavity should drain rather than hold water.

other than exploratory surgery, your best bet is to locate the owner's manual and see how it is described. Being Wellcraft, it's probably truthful; cheap boats may try to tell you everything is a cooler. One of the few examples of an owner's manual for an old boat having value. But even if they call it a cooler, you have the top insulation issue, and if it's an inboard, engine heat I would assume.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: What is this space for?

it's more than likely just a locker with a drain in it. Unless the walls are insulated, i seriously doubt it is a cooler. Every single locker in my cockpit has a drain in it. Certainly the vertical lockers with doors aren't coolers as well.

it's for the guy that says "i have this stuff, like, boat lines that are soaked when i bring them on the boat, where can i put them?" or "why don't they put drains in the bottom of the locker rather than allowing water to collect down there. I'm tired of emptying everything and sponging out the standing water".

bingo!