Mystery compartment under cockpit

[Matt3140]

Does anyone know what is in the mystery sealed compartment under the cockpit (aft of the Porta Potty)?  Is that where the inboard engine would go if there was one?  Has anyone opened it up?

Just thinking it would be a superb cockpit locker if it is an optional engine well.  I'm a little shy of drilling a hole to look though.

[crazycarl]

I no knowledge about the Eclipses, but under the 19s cockpit is a solid block of foam. Jerry told me it not there for buoyancy, but as a hull stiffener. The Eclipse may have it too.

[alsantini]

If I understand correctly there is a compartment that is inaccessible?  As I remember the aft end of the under cockpit floor is accessible via the port lazarette.  It is a stretch but I did store stuff back there.  The front of the area is accessible by pulling the porta-potti floor board where you can see the bilge.  Unless I missed something over 11 years of owning an Eclipse, I think that covers the whole area?  But I am always up for being wrong.  LOL     Sail On, Al

[Cpy23ecl]

I'll have to double check but I don't believe I have a sealed compartment in the bilge aft of the porta potti. Mine is a 2021 eclipse.  I have access to that area from both the port lazarette as well as removing the porta potti.

[alsantini]

That's what I tried to say - maybe unsuccessfully.  LOL  Sail On and stay out of secret compartments.  Al

[slode]

I have the same as others mentioned.  The area below the cockpit is open from both the port lazarette, and behind the bilge access. I have heard of an Eclipse with a diesel inboard, and yes, that's the area it would go.  I would expect access to it for maintenance to be tight.  I keep my fenders tucked under there, making sure to keep the lines on them accessible to pull them out.

[Syzygy]

Report: My Hull 2004 #5 Eclipse has a foam block under the cockpit between the lazarette hatches. Interesting to hear that it is likely not for flotation... And that some Eclipses do not have it; if I am understanding folks correctly. It is covered with carpeting that matches the hull interior sides. Touches both quarter berth plywood panel sides. Extends from the back of the portable latrine compartment to the aft end where it terminates about where the aft end of the port lazarette opens. I have stuffed a couple of screws (holding very slightly, it is just foam) to support some wiring that supplies the anchor windlass solenoid on the starboard side.

I was considering removing the foam block, supporting the cockpit deck (hmmmm...), and installing an electric motor for a prop shaft, similar to the design of the diesel Eclipse. Mostly for the in and out of ramps/docks/harbors, and becalmed situations. But it would be a fairly large (relatively) project. Since I am seeing that others do not have the block, now I am wondering was the block overkill? Did Hutchins start reinforcing the deck in other ways not yet engineered into my boats vintage? I'll post any changes I make for the questions, comments, or concerns of other group members. I have this on my "someday" list.

The Columbia river near Vancouver, USA has a fairly strong current for a large part of the year, so I'd stick with my outboard in that case, but with so many mountain lakes and the impounded reservoir portions of the Columbia, a silent running mode would seem to make sense. My wife and I like to enjoy the prolific wildlife in this part of the country where silence is golden.

Washington and Oregon coastal bays (made to scale nicely with an Eclipses draft) are conducive to electric, whereas, the Puget Sound (where's the wind?) is not so much so.

Testing image uploading while here.