We finally have made it down to Florida to begin the 2026 season. Hopefully, we can get back on our 6 month here and 6 month in Tennessee schedule now that I (Diane) have been declared cancer free! Bladder cancer is different than most cancers as it can come back at any time it feels like rearing it's ugly head so I will have to go back incrementally for check ups. No problem...that's a can do and WILL DO!
We departed Tennessee just as the snow and ice began to fall and we feel fortunate for that but, at the same time it is unusually COLD here in Florida making it impossible for Carter to work outdoors. So we have been focusing on indoor projects.
For me, I always do a pretty thorough cleaning of the entire boat, top to bottom, upon our return and I thought it might be interesting to some folks to see all the STORAGE we have on the Archimedes.
I always start cleaning with the kitchen...oops...the galley. When we left last time, we knew we wouldn't be back for approximately a year so I took all our food supplies back to Tennessee, so now we are in the process of re-provisioning the boat for long term habitation. I started the clean up with the all the pantry areas.
Carter was gifted an unusually large amount of can goods, rice and beans, fruit and vege's and I managed to find spaces for all of it. I frequently use the cockpit table on top of the bed for extra work space.
I use these Sterlite file storage containers for extra groceries - can goods, and they are stored underneath the bed.
This space behind where the cockpit table is stored houses juice, oils, and things that just don't fit anywhere else. My baking good (crisco, salt, vanilla, yeast, etc.) stay in these Tupperware bread storage containers you see here on the left. The wood boxes on the top shelf house cock pit accessories. The radio and Lowrance (navigation), flare guns & flares, the bell, horns, etc., emergency candles, sun screen and bug spray.
And this is what it looks like with the table in place. The mirror folds down making a table with shelving behind holding all the Captains battery chargers.
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I have to brag on Tupperware. They are excellent at keeping their contents moisture free, which is imperative living on a boat. When I first moved onto the boat several years ago, I went on the hunt for all the Tupperware I could find. Ebay, and local thrift stores are where to find them. I love all the colors too.
I do not store anything in their original boxes. Cockroaches love cardboard so ... boxes are not allowed on the boat and also, goods such as sugar, flour, rice and beans stay moisture free inside Tupperware... forever! I have a label maker to help me find things.
The little bamboo corner cabinet is where I store package things like rice packs, crackers, tortilla wraps, cereal, etc. in Tupperware and Sterlite containers. A shelf on the bottom keeps can goods easy to get to.
Then, I have wire shelving that stores vinegar and oils, honey, coffee, tea, etc.
And spices on opposite wall.
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I guess since I bragged on Tupperware, I should also brag on Sterlite. I have a couple more drawer units in other parts of the boat from Sterlite that are very useful. First, I have a small 3 drawer unit that holds all my hair accessories.
Then I just purchased this one, three sets of 3 drawers that stack. I use this one for all my sewing and embroidery projects. It makes good use of an unused corner of the settees. It works.
Next, I found this rolling 12 drawer storage unit on Amazon. We use it to store cameras and all the gear. I created a charging center on the top but I do need to organize it better. We took the wheels off the back side because the floor rises there and that also keeps the unit from rolling around while underway.
The last major storage unit besides 3 hanging lockers, is this entire wall of drawers for clothing, shoes, hats, etc. These drawers are very deep and can hold 2 seasons (hot and cold) worth of clothing which I think is fantastic for a boat. The last full length cabinet at the end holds laundry and cleaning supplies. There is a mirror on the wall at the end which at first glance makes it look like the drawers go a really long way. LOL
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The drawers under the TV are for office type stuff.
The TV swings out for more space behind. Right now I am storing my cricut, sewing machine with tool box for accessories, and of course, the printer. Then the TV swings back to hide them.
There is also quite a bit of storage area under the settees, but I'll spare myself the trouble it takes to under those!
And that is it for general storage on the Archimedes.
Storage for tools and boat parts is another entire post of it's own.
Captain Carter can take care of those.
The Archimedes is a large boat at 45' but is really only comfortable for 2 people the way we have it configured.
