10 Year Solutions - What's DURABLE while cruising?

[SecondBase]

I'm looking for ideas about what lasts and is worth refitting into a cruising sailboat.

Examples: Mexican car tire sandals-yes, hard dinghy-yes, inflatable dinghy-no, solar-yes, wind generator-iffy(?), oars-yes, outboard-iffy....

Ideas of upgrades to add that you have confidence will stand the test of time?

[Cheechako]

a quality hypalon RIB should last 10 years. Just sold an achilles hypalon (not RIB) last year that held air with no loss and was made in 1984! Not alot does last 10 years though... at least with any confidence. It seems to me 8-10 years is the point at which you can count on replacing a bunch of stuff.
A good diesel well cared for. Standing rigging. Propane stove. Ham Radio.... all should do 10 years +
Batteries 5-6 yrs.
Hot H20 heater 6-8 yrs.
Fresh H20 pump 1-3 years.
Sails 5-10 years.
Electronics 0-6 years!

[SecondBase]

Originally Posted by Cheechako

a quality hypalon RIB should last 10 years.

Glad to hear that. Just the kind of feedback I'm looking for. Seeing a lot of talk about aluminum dinks these days - good to have options.

[barnakiel]

I am not sure all solar panels will last 10 years.

Our 10 y.o. Neste panel looks new. Our 2 y.o. Chinese panel looks like ... oh, well.

I think most quality equip. will last +10 years.

b.

[zeehag]

my solar panels have outlasted more than one boat so far, and i think none of mine are newer than 10 yrs age. perfect and working a s if they were just out of box new....

plastic kayaks and walker bay--have been used now for over 10 yrs..no problem....
so far, boat covers that were made prior to 2002 are stil lusable and in decent shape.

autopilot, simrad hydraulic, heavy duty---still awesome....not use much electricity, as it is hydraulic with elect assist....i am third owner using it, so far--also my weather fax unit is still good since 2004....
vhf radio was installed 2004, still good...

electric panel still sukks after 10 yrs of no change to it..no major changes happened to electrical systems in 2500 or more miles travelled...

screens on all electronix die in sun--bring spares or make a really good heat pruf and sun pruf cover for them.

bubba is only 7 yrs old, now, so i cannot vouch for gato survivability, yet.....

have had FAIL from nav lites, anchor lites, spreader lites, etc....normal wear and tear--found spares for emergency use==pod lites in green and red from auto zone..lol...

FAIl from screens on gps, radart, startin gon my ap16 control for autopilot...need new, and depth sounder is crapping out--good thing is a spare unit that came with boat and was prolly installed whenever apelco fishfinder units were cheap--mebbe 15 yrs or so..

engine hoses do not last worth a damn--must buy then every coupla years

problems outlast the good stuff---ditch em ..lol

oh, yes--anchor chain...rodlmao--galvo died in la cruz, after only one month of anchoring in rocky stuff....still in use, as long as it is intact. galvo doesnt do strength, only protection.

[gjordan]

If you are refitting your boat check out the threads on thru hulls and seacocks. The difference in safe service life is dramatic. I am looking at a boat with all new thru hulls, but I cant determine the brand. It makes a big difference.___Just my 2 cents worth.____Grant.

[colemj]

Our hypalon dinghy and 15hp Honda are both 15yr old and going fine.

Mark