work bench on a small cruiser

[hpeer]

Stout fender board across the cockpit.

[Shoalcove]

Originally Posted by hpeer

Stout fender board across the cockpit.

My method as well.

[Uncle Bob]

Originally Posted by Sailmon

I really like my portable Craftsman Workmate. Not sure if they are still available. Combination workbench and viceAttachment 179969

I have the workmate shopbox that has a toolbox under it.

[Jim Cate]

Don't knw if it would work on your boat, but on our previous boat (36 foot IOR one tonner)I made a filler board that fit in the notch in the V berth. I mounted a 4 inch vise on it. When not in use, I'd invert the board so the vise was hanging down below the board, and it was safely and inconspicuously stowed. If I needed more space, I'd remove the cushion from one side of the berth. Not perfect, but it helped!

Jim

[David B]

Originally Posted by seadago

Hi all

Getting the boat ready for next season's extended cruising, and thinking of eventualities that may become essentialities at some point. I can only afford to go cruising if I do my own maintenance and repairs as far as possible. That includes having a multi-purpose and complete set of tools permanently onboard. It also may include having some sort of work bench to do the work. Even if only a 1' X 2' surface, but sturdy, that I can put weight/pressure on, I can attach a small vice on it, without damaging the furniture. Maybe detachable, that I can take to the cockpit? This is a structural component. if I am going to have one, I need to build it and install it.

Of all the experienced cruisers out there with a finite budget, that do their own dirty work, what would you say is the usefullness of such a workbench? Did you ever need one and really wished you had?

Touch choice of priorities. I have a 30 footer. There isn't enough room for a few things that others may consider absolutly essencial, so the need for a workbench needs to be well justified.

Thanks for your input!

Where storage is very limited, this may be as simple as cutting a board to drop into a fiddled shelf (like a shelf you probably have in a lazarette area), so that it stores securely. Then mount low-profile rubber feet on one side, and an engineers vice (like you would use on a pedestal drill) on the other.

Stowed, it would fit snuggly on that fiddled shelf, and in use you could place it anywhere such as the cockpit table, or on the pontoon decking, or whatever. Not as handy as something like a Black and Decker Workmate, but a lot more compact, and at least it will hold things while you drill, saw, file etc.

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by Sailmon

I really like my portable Craftsman Workmate. Not sure if they are still available. Combination workbench and viceAttachment 179969

Yup they are good.. I have one.. No rusting parts and easy to stow as well.

[Sailmon]

The other thing I like about my Workmate is that I can use it on the dock or picnic table when at a marina or toss it in dinghy if helping with a project on an anchored friend’s or neighbor’s boat.

[seadago]

Wow! some great ideas here. Thank you all.

TerraNova, I like the contraption you made with the vise on top of the toolbox. Thanks for the pics. Will try to get one of those. Easy to mount and stores flat.

I have a (Black and Decker) workmate in my shed. Useful piece of kit. The Craftman workmate model is no longer made. At least by Sears.

I will propably go with the board to fit in the cockpit well. Have the timber, easy to make, can can support on two battens attached to the cockpit walls. Unobstrusive.

Thanks again to all.
Rafa

[olaf hart]

Originally Posted by Uncle Bob

I have the workmate shopbox that has a toolbox under it.

Me too, it’s great. The particleboard top was a bit tired, so I made an exact copy out of solid wood

[hugosalt]

Have not read all posts, but do same as some others have with using fender board across
cockpit...plus a notch out on each end to shape of winch base so locks in.
Don't need much of a notch to lock in, so will not catch when using fender board.

[kmcshane]

No matter how I try the vice bench and chart table get confused
(and darned if I can get these photos to stand up straight).

[RaymondR]

Found this made from an offcut of plywood and one of alloy angle and two SS pipe saddles remarkably handy.

[sparrowhawk1]

I have a vice that has a suction cup on the bottom for my main table. For "dirty" work like filing I have a vise bolted to a board that I can sit on, either on deck or on land. Every boat should at the very minimum have a scrap of wood to drill over.

[LarryDW]

I really like the dual purpose fender board idea. I have a Stanley #700 clamp on vise that's worked well. Bought it on Ebay for cheap money. If I knew how to post a picture I would, lol!

[owly]

I MUST have a workshop..... I simply cannot exist without a decent workspace. Guess I'm not like other people. Some need TV or a stereo system..... I've never had the former, and not missed it at all, and rarely use the latter. The 33' cat I'm getting ready to build will have the galley in one hull, and a fairly comprehensive shop space in the same location in the opposite hull..... but a cat has a LOT of space, and I expect to sail solo or with one or two crew max. My hands have to have a place to create, invent, repair. It's my nature. I personally don't need a "berth" as I sleep in a recliner .... in this case a zero gravity recliner, and it will be on the bridge deck... in the cabin or out. There is still plenty of space for "crew" berths, galley, dining area, head, stowage, etc... an embarrassment of space for a guy like me, but payload is an issue that has been driving my choices.


H.W.