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Into the dumpster

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redeye
Master Marine Consultant

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3476 Posts

Initially Posted - 03/23/2010 : 04:07:11

I had to go into the dumpster ( the deep aft port locker ) last weekend. I'm a big guy, and I'd been trying to find some small skinny person to help without much luck, so I finally went after it myself. I needed to do some wiring on the backside of the panel.

My dumpster does not have a hasp. Be Aware: If you go in the dumpster on some boats the seat ( which is the lid ) can fall down and the hasp falls and you are locked in.

I'd gone in the dumpster before and the manuel bilge pump has some flanges on the back of it that stick out sharp that make getting out very uncomfortable. I removed the bulge pump, and inspected it and found that without it in the way getting in and out of the dumpster was very do able. Not easy to lift yourself up but doable.

The long screws that mount the bilge pump were difficult to get back in, even after oiling them. I guess the oxidation of the plastic must cause this, but the screws were so difficult to get in I thought they were stripped. I had a very good power drill, and it almost stripped the heads.

I may remove the bilge pump and cut those flanges off the backside so I can get in and out of the dumpster without removing the pump.

I'm 6 foot and 230 lbs, so I'm no tinkerbell.... I could sit aft of the opening and put my legs in, and let myself down folding my legs up in a seated position and work without too much difficulty. Getting out was lifting myself up with my arms as my feet were folded under me.

Ray in Atlanta, Ga.
"Lee Key" '84 Catalina 25
Standard Rig / Fin Keel

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 03/23/2010 : 09:48:52

Now try crawling back under the fuel locker on your back to work on the inside of the transom... I did that and had the hatch fall closed while I was under there--the only light was what filtered through the boot stripe! I learned to bungee the lid up to a stanchion. I'm a little smaller than you, but I remember the pump being a pain in the ribs.

Edited by - on

danandlu
Navigator

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USA
174 Posts

Response Posted - 03/23/2010 : 10:21:47

Remove the quarterberth panel and access should be easy.

Edited by - on

redeye
Master Marine Consultant

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3476 Posts

Response Posted - 03/23/2010 : 12:43:41

The screws to the panel on mine are in the dumpster, so I'd hafta go in first to get it open, and again to close it up.

Edited by - on

jerlim
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1484 Posts

Response Posted - 03/23/2010 : 13:02:36

I go into the dumpster 1 - 2x per season, and getting out is vaguely reminiscent of child birth!

Edited by - on

GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4302 Posts

Response Posted - 03/23/2010 : 18:37:25

If the dumpster lid closes and the hasp locks you in try banging your fist against the inside of the dumpster near the hasp (to get it to swing out) and then quickly push up on the lid. May or may not work but it's better than just sitting there.

Edited by - on

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3439 Posts

Response Posted - 03/24/2010 : 03:18:49

Okay...time for a calibration check.....So what are the top 5 reasons for going into the dumpster ?

I have had my boat for 4 1/2 years and I cannot think of a reason why I would need to go into the dumpster..other than the experience. I guess if I were to install an A/C unit like Frank Hopper did years ago, that would be one reason. Maybe to install some improvement project with increasing storage or perhaps to do electrical work ? Ids there something I am missing out on not going in there ?

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redeye
Master Marine Consultant

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3476 Posts

Response Posted - 03/24/2010 : 03:49:00

10. To find that missing body.
9. Kitty, what Kitty...
8. It fell where?
7. What is that knocking noise?
6. I don't smell anything....
5. leak, what leak.
4. Hiding from Mrs. Howell III.
3. Those electrical connections are clean.
2. Out of sight, out of mind.

and the number one reason for going into the dumpster...

1. Because it's there (and you hafta inspect it.)

Edited by - on

redeye
Master Marine Consultant

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3476 Posts

Response Posted - 03/24/2010 : 04:15:57

<< Is there something I am missing out on not going into the dumpster? >>

I'm sorry.. I couldn't stop myself.

I've only gone in to clean it up and inspect it to understand how some things are put together. The electrical panel was my primary focus.

Edited by - on

DaveR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2015 Posts

Response Posted - 03/24/2010 : 05:57:00

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"> or perhaps to do electrical work ? <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I have my auto tiller plug over there. And also if you want to replace your ladder someone needs to be on that interior nut.

And luckily my PO understood the woes of the clasp and changed them around so accidental entrapment doesn't happen!

Edited by - DaveR on 03/24/2010 06:08:42

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3439 Posts

Response Posted - 03/24/2010 : 09:50:21

Thanks guys !! Glad I asked !

Don't think I have to worry about a Kitty...but "It fell where ?" Yep ! That's a good reason. True...ladder work and plugs to facilitate accessories in the cockpit !

Edited by - on

skrenz
Captain

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USA
351 Posts

Response Posted - 03/24/2010 : 13:54:02

I had a post last year about being in the dumpster shortly after I got the boat and had not cleaned it out yet. On the 78 the dumpster also holds the fuel tank and the back bottom face had this film of oily residue on it. So it wasn't the lid that almost entombed me, it was the slick surface that I couldn't get my feet to grip on to push myself out.

Number 1 reason: the back of the electrical panel is in there.
Number 2 reason: the outlet for the recirculating air design is at the bottom of the dumpster and you don't want stuff covering up that hose inlet.

Edited by - on

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5352 Posts

Response Posted - 03/24/2010 : 19:19:20

Last year, I rewired the panel and ran a new cable for the stern navigation light. Originally, it was run through the dumpster them up through the stern pulpit.

I replaced the pulpit last year, but I was not interested in fishing the cable through the pulpit tubing. So I ran the cable beneath the fuel locker, then across the inside of the transom. I pulled the cable out through the alternator cable opening, then up to the stern rail.

I also pulled out the manual bilge pump to check it.

I never had to put myself into the dumpster. I did climb around in the quarterberth though.

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 03/24/2010 : 22:05:12

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by OLarryR
 ....So what are the top 5 reasons for going into the dumpster ?...
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">My reason was to attach something to the transom that is still a mystery to Bruce, the current owner... The rest of the story is too complicated for this space, and of no general interest.

Edited by - on

danandlu
Navigator

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USA
174 Posts

Response Posted - 03/25/2010 : 09:14:03

Hi Ray,

I've never removed the panel between the Qberth & locker so I never looked closely at the screws, sorry about the assumption.

I have been down there also when I first brought Chesapeake home. I'm 6'3" and wasn't so sure I was going to make it out of there either. Thank goodness for my neighbor who climbed the ladder (boat on trailer in driveway at that time) with 2 tall & frosty golden ambers glistening in the sun. I looked up, saw that and easily found the motivation to climb out of there.

Edited by - on

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 03/25/2010 : 19:02:51

The first year we had the boat I went into the dumpster to work on the wiring and install a stereo in the bulkhead behind the galley. I'm only 5'7" so it wasn't too bad. Getting back out was hard; the rubber gasket ruined the shirt I was wearing.

Edited by - on

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5352 Posts

Response Posted - 03/25/2010 : 19:57:48

There are a couple of stainless U-bolts hanging off the stern. I thought they were where you hook your waterskiing ropes, but then I thought better of it. Why would there be two?

I assumed they had either something to do with towing something like a drift sock, or a swim platform.

But I will never know!

Edited by - on

pastmember
Master Marine Consultant

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2402 Posts

Response Posted - 03/26/2010 : 07:16:53

why? To install a charger where the heat is outside the cabin and work on the "hot wall".

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 03/26/2010 : 07:28:57

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Voyager
 There are a couple of stainless U-bolts hanging off the stern. I thought they were where you hook your waterskiing ropes... But I will never know!<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Yup! Maybe some day over a beer...

Edited by - on

PCP777
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1225 Posts

Response Posted - 03/29/2010 : 08:26:29

We did some dumpster diving to install a new stereo. It was gnarly down there.

Edited by - on

andypavo
1st Mate

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USA
51 Posts

Response Posted - 03/30/2010 : 10:54:12

I'm a fairly new owner and it's funny how I figured out what the dumpster
was without reading a single entry in the post. Anyone got any innovative
ideas for organizing the dumpster and making it more useful storage?

Edited by - on

PCP777
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1225 Posts

Response Posted - 03/30/2010 : 11:16:38

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by andypavo
 I'm a fairly new owner and it's funny how I figured out what the dumpster
was without reading a single entry in the post. Anyone got any innovative
ideas for organizing the dumpster and making it more useful storage?

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Good question and welcome to the forum.

Edited by - on

redeye
Master Marine Consultant

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3476 Posts

Response Posted - 03/30/2010 : 11:25:59

It is pretty good storage, the way it works, you can hang your ropes on and they get to hang and dry out, you have room for lots of rope, anchor, fenders and sail bags.

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Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 03/30/2010 : 11:27:13

Yep, some names are natural. I couldn't believe all the good stuff I found at the bottom when I bought Pearl. Mine isn't too bad in access. Docklines, color coded by length, hang from the teak rail on the outboard side, fenders stand at the forward end, solar shower bags, harnesses, and COB equipment are on the shelf behind the teak, flat hose, shore power cable, and extra line and rode are on extension cord reels standing on the bottom with a clip-on boarding ladder on the inboard side. A couple of canvas bags of various stuff sits on top of the reels. The most I have to move is the canvas bags if I want one of the reels. Working on the electrical panel is another story.

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Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5352 Posts

Response Posted - 03/30/2010 : 21:15:06

I sometimes find rain water in the bottom corner of the dumpster - not a lot - but some. I made sure that I did not mount any electronics low down inside the bottom of the bulkhead, otherwise it might sizzle once in a while.

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redeye
Master Marine Consultant

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3476 Posts

Response Posted - 03/31/2010 : 03:39:25

My manual bilge line goes into the bilge from the dump so I think the front corner of the dump is near the level of the bilge. If my bilge gets about a bucket of water in it it comes up to the level of the dump and should I be sailing it can slosh back there, so I try to keep only "wet tolerant" stuff in the dumpster.
I wanna add more ventilation to the dumpster, but I lost my want to..

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