Big deep compartments don't do any good if you can't get to what's in back. I hate having stuff on my boat so I know I am a bit of a minority but I alway laugh when boats come into the shop and I have to empty a storage compartment. I find stuff I know the owner forgot he had. I really don't know the best layout for storage but I know what I don't like. It is a pain to have four people standing up because the fenders are under their seat.