Onboard Dedicated Workshop a Good Idea?

[Saleen411]

Hi All....

A catamaran I was recently looking at has a workshop onboard ( forward starboard side). I'm thinking this is a GOOD use of space for an off shore cruiser if one doesn't need the extra berth or head....esp for a craftsman.

I'm curious as to what you think. Would you find a workshop useful if space wasn't an issue?

TIA

[TurninTurtle]

got the available space and that is how you want to use it?

Sounds good.

[barnakiel]

But if you have a workshop will things NOT start breaking down more?

Just asking.

b.

[Tayana42]

Originally Posted by TurninTurtle

got the available space and that is how you want to use it?

Sounds good.

Not on a Vagabond 14 though.😀


S/V B'Shert

[boatman61]

Saleen... should this not be in the 'Cruising and making a Living' Thread..
Grand idea..

[Paul L]

One issue with a forward cabin refit as a workshop on a cat is the amount of weight that collection of tools can add up to. Leave the NC machine at home.

[Scott Berg]

Luv my shop aboard.... Can't imagine not having a bench, vice, drill press, bench grinder, etc

It's all how you choose to use room

It's a boat and stuff does seem to break ... <groan>


Sent from my iPhone using Cruisers Sailing Forum

[Mikado]

I have a dedicated workshop and can't imagine not having it. It's just aft of the v-birth on the port side. I have a pretty good sized mono so don't need to worry about weight. The L-shaped work bench is outfitted with a drill press, vice and grinder. I have a built in four drawer Craftsman tool set and another tool chest sitting in front of the dryer that is on short arm of the bench along with the water maker. Raise the top of the long arm of the bench and it exposes most of my power tools stored in canvas bags.

I have really enjoyed finding just the right parts cabinets and other storage devices to organize and make the most of my workshop space.

[Saleen411]

Originally Posted by boatman61

Saleen... should this not be in the 'Cruising and making a Living' Thread..
Grand idea..

My bad......never thought about the cruising and making a living part of it.

"Saleen's Floating Mobile Marine Service"....kinda has a nice ring to it, EXCEPT, I'm completely incapable of fixing a bloody thing! However, a workshop might come in handy for the people I PAY to fix the boat.

From the responses I've seen so far, except for the extra weight, seems like a nice thing to have maybe. Certainly not a deal breaker. I was actually quite surprised to see one on an almost new Helia.

[UNCIVILIZED]

Most guys, me especially, would kill for a workshop onboard. Especially one with a vise, & if there's room, a drill press.

[RaymondR]

I carry a pretty extensive tool set including a small lathe/drill. It does not get as much use as it used to because I am getting more settled in my ways and don't need to carry out so many projects to fill my time and the energy budget is not so extensive these days.


A couple of the fairly large jobs I have carried out are the salvage of the parts from an anchor winch when the pinion gear wore out and I converted it from vertical to horizontal using many of the old parts and an industrial worm drive and, I have built a number of wheel drives for the autopilot. The latest of these uses all chain and sprocket reduction and an auto radiator fan as a motor (being semi waterproof these things are pretty handy on a boat and easy to get hold of)


One of the things I find particularly useful with the lathe is that I can use it to repair running rigging equipment that has gone out of production, this stuff is expensive to replace and whilst originally designed as throw away much of it is repairable if you have the equipment, whilst doing so you can sometimes upgrade it and it keeps the boats equipment unmixed and to it's original standard - there is too much damned plastic creeping into the yachting equipment business.


A few years ago I marinised a 50hp engine by fabricating an all stainless, water cooled exhaust manifold, an all alloy bell housing (with 2 starter motors installed - if you are going to carry a spare it might as well be bolted onto the engine) and an adapter to fit between the new Twin Disc gearbox and the Yanmar flange on the prop shaft. I also removed all the welsh plugs and installed interference fitted, threaded sleeves into which to screw anodes.


It is surprising the jobs you can take on whilst living on a boat full time when you have a few tools lying about.

[denverd0n]

Originally Posted by Saleen411

Would you find a workshop useful if space wasn't an issue?

The problem is that on a boat, even a very large boat, space is ALWAYS an issue. So you have to decide the best use for the space you have. For some people a dedicated workshop is the best use of the space. For others storage might be a better use, or a bunk, or another head, or whatever. You just have to decide what the best use of the space is for you.

[HappyMdRSailor]

INVALUABLE ASSET...

If in doubt, do it...

[nhschneider]

The original owner of our boat had the pilot cabin converted into a workshop and I consider it one of the boat's best features. From there, I can work on the engines, store spare parts and tools but more importantly, I can keep all that stuff out of the boat's common living areas. Right now, I have half-a-dozen major projects going on but we were still able to have friends over for dinner and the boat appeared to be in a fairly civilized state - with the door to the shop closed.

I have had other cruisers 'bow down' to my shop, in envious homage. Fortunately or unfortunately, I spend a significant amount of time in there. The anti-fatigue mat I put on the sole is a clear indication of exactly how much time I spend there - too much.

Fair winds and calm seas.

[jheldatksuedu]

I even have a milling machine lathe combo machine in my engine room, and carry an anvil in the bilge. Also the standard 6 inch vice and grinder mounted on 2x6 so it can be clamped down on deck if room is a problem. Lots of C clamps and such even one with 4 foot opening strong enough to probably put tons of force on something. Life is not complete without a place to attempt to build what you can dream up. I even carry an arc welder. I enjoy creative solutions to life's problems.