Soft storage lockers and soft front lockers

[cj88]

I'm wondering if anyone has experience with soft storage lockers and soft front lockers onboard? I have seen a few boats with them and am wondering about the pros and cons.

[Dennis.G]

Pros: Cheap and easy to make yourself. Doesn't hurt to bump into. Easy to reconfigure.

Cons: Makes inside of boat look like a baggage storage room.

[thinwater]

Lots of weight savings. They also have the potential for avoiding weight creep, if you take them home and empty them. You can pack at home, and then it's like living out of a suitacase, which is not bad (tends to stay organized). But it seems like a racer thing.


Seascape (Benetau) First 24 uses removable crew bags. But this is not a cruising boat, in the common useage of the word.

[toddster8]

I have gone so far as to write up a business plan on this. But currently don’t have time...

Pros: Light weight. Infinitely reconfigurable . Can double as cushions and insulation.

Cons: Hard to make attractive. Infinite reconfiguration = infinite overhead.

Reference: MOLLE, PALS. There, I’ve given you all a head start.

[cj88]

I have looked at the MOLLE/PALS systems with this in mind. I do like the modularity/reconfigurability.

The ability to add and remove as required has some merit although some permanent hard storage is still required. Saving weight certainly doesn't hurt, even just having soft locker and door fronts would help.

I wonder what the lifespan and cost would be like vs. the hard option? I think quality zips would be required as zips that don't work properly are a pain. Some I have seen have mesh sides which can aid ventilation.

[Matt Johnson]

Originally Posted by cj88

Had something similar to these doors on a Hunter that worked great. No zippers to deal with, just soft toggles that go over studs to keep the door closed. But, it worked better with the "hinge" at the bottom so if you were putting clothes or other things in the storage, you just let the door hang down, out of the way until you needed to close it.

Matt

[toddster8]

Not many of the standard MOLLE pouches are relevant to boating. Maybe the first-aid kits and navigation satchels. I have tried to adopt them in my vehicles, but where they supply pouches for ammunition and grenades, I need more dog snacks and camera kits. The shotgun-shell pouches are pretty good for socket-sets. But we have some obvious easy crossovers, like sheet bags and ditch bags.

[john61ct]

Seems like a great concept to me, but I'm all about functionality / weight savings, not looks.

Ventilation / mold control would be critical.

Definitely affordable only if you have the sewing machine and skillz. Velcro tabs rather than zips?

[redhead]

I think I'd use them in specific areas, not throughout the boat.

There's a Facebook group "Sewing on Boats" or SOBs that's extremely active. You might look on that or ask the question there, I'm sure you'd start a lively discussion.

[Paul Howard]

I have been using nets to hold clothing, socks, underwear, T-shirts, etc. attached to interior since the 1980s.
There are net storage things already made up and available for small dollars, not the least of which are the automotive trunk nets available at Walmart.

[thinwater]

Originally Posted by Dennis.G

Pros: Cheap and easy to make yourself. Doesn't hurt to bump into. Easy to reconfigure.

Cons: Makes inside of boat look like a baggage storage room.

What boat is this?


Frankly, it looks like more bother than duffle bags, which are easier to take home, easier to move, and each person needs only one or two smaller ones. For trips of only a few days I always just use duffles rather than unpacking.

[Rapanui]

Our Fountaine Pajot Maldives had soft zipped cabin doors and locker fronts secured by velcro tabs. Made from a mesh material so it could breathe but obscure what was behind. Really practical, zero door swinging room required, light and very cheap. Looked quite nice too. Certainly saved space and weight on a 32ft cat.

[Scaramanga F25]

I had soft lockers on my Ultalight.
They work very well particularly those that can be slipped out of a C track.