Bulkhead shelves you can take or leave
Issue 43 : Jul/Aug 2005
I wanted to hang pre-fab accessory shelves (available in teakwood) in the galley area and main saloon of my Allied Seawind. I was loath to mount shelves permanently, however, thinking they would be difficult to keep clean and oiled. I decided to try a sliding mounting system. I wound up scavenging brackets used in household wood shelving and am very pleased with the results.
Each wooden bracket (I bought mine at Lowe’s for $6) gave up two “female” keyhole brackets, which I used to mount on the back of each shelf. These plates have a notched collar hole where the head of a mounting wood screw can pass; the collar then tightens around the screw head as the plate is slid into place. I replaced the steel “male” screw provided with each bracket (intended to go into a pre-drilled hole in sheet rock) with a very short brass wood screw of similar diameter, driving it into pre-drilled and 5200-sealed shallow holes in the cabin walls.
To add stability and strength to the setup, I used four brackets for each shelf and adjusted the cabin bulkhead setscrews with as little relief as possible, so that the shelf must be muscled in a bit when being slid down and into place. I wanted to have the shelves wedged in tightly to survive heavy motion or heeling. With four attachment points, the shelves require some pretty firm tap- ping for removal. I believe they would remain in place through a knockdown, but I would have bigger worries if that day comes.
I now have five removable shelves that have added a large amount of storage space.
Thank you to Sailrite Enterprises, Inc., for providing free access to back issues of Good Old Boat through intellectual property rights. Sailrite.com
