INVESTIGATOR 563

Happy equinox, may the days get warmer.

Seems like there are many variations of cabin sole's in I563s from different eras and owner modified ones too.

My boat came with one large flat ply floorboard, with beams underneath. The problem was no access while sailing and about 4cm less cabin headroom.

(The original concave fibreglass sole hatch, 11" wide, came with boat too, but it is also one piece and moved rattled a bit)

Fitted 3 piece plywood floorboards to cover the keel/bilge space. Why? Extra accessible storage space. It holds around 25litres of plastic water bottles (and nonflammable liquids).

Hope she will carry sail longer too, with lowered center gravity.

Have also noticed the extra legroom, to the original design, is much better.

Some photos of my cabin sole stowage

Neat solution Andrew. I have stored canned food in plastic containers in the rear depression. When I first put the extra foam under the bunk cushions I liked the extra height from cushion to floor …but …hit my head on the roof when sitting, no win situation.

I also thought about a big flat floor with support bowed beams and flat surface and multiple hinged hatches but realised I would need TARDIS multi dimensional engineering to get it to work.
Dr Who was not listed under “shipwrights “ in google.

As an afterthought, I guess the 563 does get lots of good space into a compact package. It’s other magic property is the styling always makes it look like a much larger boat in photos . If people see pics they always think it’s bigger than 18 feet. Maybe Kevin Shepard did consult the good doctor.

That aft keel bilge is a usefull space,

I fit a 5L water bottle in there (For my final backup water). Might try the plastic container with tinned food, still some space left.

Initally got the undersole/bilge stowage idea from utube videos. eg utilizing undersole space from a custom built house-truck, water ballast tanks) Also some yachts have keel water tanks..) As long as what goes in there could get completely drowned by sea water without damage, it is a bilge after all.
(It has remained dusty dry for over a decade, a good sign)

Came across a 2011 post "storage and use of space" the other day. Has undersole storage and use of the aft bilge depression for a flexible water tank..

Agree ozzie, i wouldnt build a flat floor with tapered beams under. Kevin sheppard was really carefull about every dimension and ergonomics. The original concave floor is the best one. My knees have been thanking me since the day it was restored to near original. Allot easier to get up from the seated position, and far less neck bend under the pop-top too!.