First of all, storing gasoline containers inside the boat is probably not the best idea if you don't have a boat set up for a gas engine, run the blower for 5 min before starting, etc. They don't look good on deck but much safer. Or a vented locker like you use for propane.

I don't know enough about the mk II to comment on the rest, on my mk 1 I can pile junk 2' deep before it is anywhere near interfering with the steering quadrant, and if I was worried about it I could put a platform in the back at cockpit floor height quite easily, kind of like the original CNG shelf which now sits in my garage.

I completely agree that it is dangerous storing gasoline (or any volatile fuel) in compartments not specifically designed to vent properly.

As for the rest of the issue, my PO installed shelving in both lazarettes which limits how much you can stow, but at least it keeps everything from getting lost in the space below and possibly fouling something.

There's an article on installing the autopilot rudder position sensor inside the cover in the aft cabin. I believe it's in the Tech section on the main C36 page. Has good photos and a great description. I plan to tackle that this fall myself as I share your concern with something hitting it in the lazarette.

I would never store gasoline anywhere but on deck. I have a small aluminum bottle from a camping store that holds enough to fill my ancient Evinrude 2hp dinghy outboard. I store it in the propane locker, along with a couple of the green propane bottles for the BBQ. If it leaks, it goes overboard safely.

I wrote the article about the autopilot installation you're probably referring to, but have not done anything specific on 'organizing' the lazarettes. I keep six - count 'em - six large fenders in the stbd lazarette, but they fit in there in a way that doesn't bump against the autopilot linear actuator. In my portside lazarette I keep some long line stored - a very long polyprop stern tie line, and another very long line. Seems to be no problem impacting the A/P acutator. There's tons of additional room in the portside lazarette that I've never needed to use, but if I were to fabricate some Star-Board dividers or shelves I could fit lots more in there.

I have a small red plastic tank for dinghy gasoline which I simply slide beneath the helm seat - you know, that snap-in-snap-out section that blocks access to the swim platform. It stays there just fine, out of the way, safe.

(And Roger, welcome to our group.)

I keep my 1 gal dinghy fuel tank in the same place Larry does but I used to keep it in a lazarette on the 28. It is bulletproof and I had few concerns about leakage or fumes from it but still, whatever can go wrong likely will so I moved it.

Stbd lazarette contains a great honkin' big Danforth anchor positioned in such a way that nothing can get past it and touch the steering. Also 30' of chain and 200' of rode for it. Also 3 big dirty old nasty fenders and a nice new water hose. In the port one we have a square soft sided container holding 4 PFDs, a Lifesling and rope (not legal in Canada we have to have a round throwable lifering on the rail), a bucket, some rolled up carpets for when the dog is on board and a couple of fold up wheeled cart thingies we use to get groceries when travelling. That one is also set up so nothing can get down to the quadrant.

Before you chastise me for having the PFDs buried there, those ones are the "legal in Canada" ones that we wouldn't use on a dare, that's why they're still in the case. We have really good inflatables with harnesses that are easily accessible when needed but they do not carry the stupid Canadian marking so are not legal in Canada. You'd think with "free trade" they'd be able to accept each other's markings, but apparently not. So we pay twice as much for the same thing with a Canadian stamp that is available in the US with a US stamp on it. I think the US device will still keep me afloat even though we're north of the border.

Keep thinking it could be organized better somehow but haven't hit on the master plan yet, there's a pile of space behind the quadrant that looks so useful. Maybe for holding beer when we get to that part of the world where it is still affordable?

Roger
My Mk11 came deep with large mesh storage pockets or bags which are fastened to the top rim with stainless hooks. (You can easily slip them off to get access to the stern area).
They are a great option and solve the problem you describe. They are big enough for me to store my fenders, ropes and fresh water hose etc.
I can send you a photo whern I next get to the boat.
They look like a standard Catalina 36 item - someone might know where they can be bought - certainly a heck of a lot easier than installing shelving and dividers or partitioning the below deck area.

I have gotten tired of stuff drifting down to the bottom of the stern locker too. When my kids were smaller I could hold them by the feet upside-down and have them retrieve the random beach bucket, but now they are too heavy.

I plan to borrow an idea from my old Tartan 28, that had a similar locker issue.

The Tartan had vertical 1/4" plywood panels , held at the bottom in an aluminum channel, and at the top by a wood block with a stud in it. The stud passed through the panel and was held by a wing-nut.

I plan to epoxy two 1 X 1 strips of the new poly-wood composite available at Home-Depot (I just used some on my front porch, it handles just like wood) side by side on the hull on the inboard side of each locker, then cut a vertical plywood panel to slip between the two 1 X1. I will figure out a simple way to fasten it at the top, and I will have the full depth of the locker, protection for the steering gear, and easy access to the working bits if I need it.

I hope this brief description describes it adequately.

Pictures of the finished product would be great, Dave. If I get what you're doing it sounds like a good solution.

And by the way, very creative thinking on finding a good useage of kids on a boat!

I once had a problem with the steering quadrant. I used to store the boathook and the deck brush in the starboard locker until one day the steering would not work. I traced it to the desk brush which had slipped down and wedged itself in a way to interfere with the steering. I have since minimized the amount of stuff stored in this area as no one wants a steering problem. I keep only some spare lifejackets, fenders and spare mooring lines and other cordage in this area. The 2.5 gallon gas tank is where Larry keeps his, under the removable seat but wrapped in an old towl to stop it sliding about. The idea of storage nets sounds promising.
John Meyer
Hilbre 2135 - out cruising, currently in Marina Coral, Ensenada, Mexico