Re: What to use for storage on top of the center console?
For starters, things on a console are easily ejected overboard
on one boat, I screwed in a plastic basket/box about 4"x6" and 6" tall, like what you might keep shower stuff in. Look around a K-mart type place. This is on a work boat so appearance doesn't matter (the windshield is a 2x4 frame).
on another, I put a small box held by suction cup inside the windshield, on the side, for my phone. On the other side I have a suction cup lure holder. So look around the auto parts store as well as marine for something that will do. They have lots of console boxes. The ones that are made to hold tackle work well, especially for a knife and pliers.
Consider a double drink holder and just keep a cup in one. They make nice teak ones as well as plastic.
Although the auto parts store has stuff, I am a saltie and have to be mindful of the hardware.
Inside the console door (where I assume you put a wall-mounted a bottle opener) I put a SS hook with a clip; you could hang your keys on that. Or put one low on the face of the console; I have that on another boat to hang a radio or flashlight.
If you use a hand-helf VHF, screw the charge base onto the top of the console to hold the radio (which has to be vertical to work anyway). You don't need the base at home.
For waterproof where it matters, don't rely on tupperware type containers.
