I've had a 18' Astro F/S since 96. I have waterskied only once. Thought I would ski more but I don't have kids and since you need 3 people....It's usually me and the wife or my brother. (See, I don't have any friends! :? )This is what I've done. My ski locker was never long enough, so with a saws-all I cut the fiberglass piece (towards the bow) that kept the skis from going up front. I have never lost anything towards the bow. The rod locker on the side sucks and I keep my night lite etc. in it. I built a little platform up front and built a sliding "tackle box" in the hollow space below it. (The new one's probably have something like that.) That huge space under the steering wheel, I cut the fiberglass and built 2 huge sliding drawers (stacked on top of each other) that slides out in the isle. With those two things I keep all my tackle, plano boxes, worm bags, everything. (I have alot of stuff.) It's nice to have all that stuff out of the way and not tripping all over yourself.(especially when anchored at night with a few beers in ya :wink: ) I don't know how the new boats are, but I don't have a huge amount of room. As for rods. The two storage compartments on the bow, I screwed a rod saver (or make your own velcro strap) on each of them. I keep (usually) 3 rods on each side. The other rods and reels I keep on the side of the passenger seat. I usually carry 9 to 12 rods depending on who's fishing in the back. If your going to beach it, put some kind of cleat up by the troll motor so your not always yanking or tying off the sucker. Like I said I've only skied(sp) once so I've made everything for fishing. Sorry so long. Hope it helps. 8)