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bewitched · 03-08-2010, 01:19

Now and again I come across design features on a boat that I think are a really good idea and wonder why they aren't more widely used.

For example, along the toe rail of my boat, from the transom to the mid cleats is a car track, with holes for pin-stop cars. It's not the dedicated genoa / jib track, that's inboard. It's incredibly useful for setting up blocks for barber haulers, tweakers, gybe preventers and allsorts. They can all be positioned exactly where they are needed.

I really like this feature, but don't see it on many boats.

Is there anything you've come across and thought "that's a good idea"?

anjou · 03-08-2010, 02:29

Well there are the more common and obvious ones like draws under stairs, locker lights which automatically come on when the door is opened, lights which are inside the locker so you dont cast a shadow etc. I also like dual designed items which serve two purposes and systems which have a backup.

Ive got a few neat ideas for my boat which I cant wait to get started on.

Eleven · 03-08-2010, 04:35

Grab handles, or posts, particularly near doorways inside and out. A great help for tall people (high c. of g. adds to instability) and friends other than sailors.
One by the helm too for choppier days. Holding on one handed is alot less tiring than standing or sitting free.
Navigation switches at the helm, not down below. Night watch should have control of nav lights, instruments etc for controlling power consumption, things like Radar eat it up but are useful as an alert to shipping in sight, and a position fix if in doubt.
Having to go below just wakes up the poor sods getting a good nights rest.

**James S** · 08-08-2010, 14:41

I did a couple things on my boat that I thought were cool ideas:
I put fender baskets on my granny bars.
My davits turn around 180deg so I can stow them inboard.
The helm tilts to either side so I can get around it in my small cockpit.
Our companion way door (wash boards) drop down into my cockpit sump so its out of the way.
Handholds on either side of the companion way that extend from the ceiling down each side.

rebel heart · 08-08-2010, 14:59

Two foot pumps in the galley, one for sea water, one for fresh. Cheap, works forever, conserves fresh water in a big way.

David_Old_Jersey · 08-08-2010, 15:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by James S

My davits turn around 180deg so I can stow them inboard.

I've got those

Way cool and conveniant. Never even heard of the idea before.

Mine not so shiney though

Sailorman Ed · 08-08-2010, 18:54

James, can you explain how the davits can pivot (not rotate) and still be strong enough to support your dingy? Maybe a detail pic of the mechanism between the wood and metal parts.
Excellent pics of your boat on the other thread - I am envious.
Ed

**James S** · 09-08-2010, 02:05

Thanks Ed and DOJ

To start with, the vertical SS "pipes" pass through the aft deck and bear on the bottom of the lazaret.
This bearing point consists of a base plate with a short male acme thread standing off it....the inside of the pipe has the female thread.
I did it this way so the base would allow for rotation but still hold the pipe down.
The pipes have SS plates inside them running their full length...these act as diaphragms or perhaps gusset would be more acurate....this is why the don't bend, break or collapse.
The deck fitting is a simple SS plate with a shoulder (down) and a Nylon bushing.
The plate has a hole in it to accept the pin that locks the rotation.

There is another moving part of the davit as well...after its turned around the curved bit drops down to the deck....that pivot point is the same center as the built in winch but does not use the winch "axle"...instaed it rotates around a separate "donut" type bushing around the axle. this was done so as not to put the weight of the davit arm on the winch axle.

Apologies...technical writing is not my thing.

**Jim Cate** · 09-08-2010, 02:20

G'Day All,

While we love many features of Insatiable II, one (or three, actually) that are a bit unusual are the crash bulkheads: one between the chain locker and the sail locker (about 4 feet from the stem), another one between the sail locker and the forepeak berth area (another 4 feet aft) and yet another between the lazarette and the accomodation. This more uncommon one puts a barrier between the entire skeg and rudder assemblies and the rest of the boat. In the unfortunate event of hitting something and tearing out rudder and skeg, at least the boat won't fill and sink. Don't know why this isn't incorporated in all designs...

Cheers,

Jim and Ann s/v Insatiable II lying Riverhead, Sandy Straits, Qld, Oz

Eleven · 09-08-2010, 07:24

If the boat is warranted unsinkable it should have sealed, preferably foam filled crash boxes for and aft. In fact many are compromised by later mods and pull-through's which should be done with pipes sealed to each bulkhead. Adding some extra strength, particularly in highly loaded areas will improve the life of the vessel, and are much easier to do during the build. So too, are drain lines from each compartment below soles even if they are jointly drained by a bilge pump. It's not always possible to trace small leaks if you don't have a pretty good idea what area they are in.

Steve W · 09-08-2010, 08:22

It is a simple thing, but I really appreciate the heavy, extruded toe rails that extend past the vertical hull plane on my boat. My slip has a lot of cross-current and wind, so with a 10' beam and an 11' slip, I sometimes rub the pilings a bit. Some current model boats offer no topsides protection from pilings, so I guess their target market are sailors that always have crew and well-protected slips.

**Hudson Force** · 09-08-2010, 08:38

Full or three-quarter keels that are contiguous with the rudder are not the performance designs for the racer, but I love ignoring the presence of crab trap and lobster floats as I slip over them day or night without their lines catching on anything below. Take care and joy, Aythya crew

Healer52 · 09-08-2010, 09:05

I like having separate 2v cells for batteries - if you have the room for them (securing them, and getting them in and out since they're usually too heavy to move without a hoist). LED lighting.

A diesel day tank with sight gauge. A plug in for, and a coiled and stowed trouble light in the engine space.

Two chain lockers, and two bow rollers, for two sets of chain rode - and a forecastle locker for sails, lines, more ground tackle.

An icemaker onboard, water tanks that can be cleaned out, and a charcoal filter on the drinking water supply.

A sealed locker big enough for gas for the outboard, and propane.

A chair, with adjustable head and armrests, at the nav station, instead of a bench (I'm 6'3).

A 'sweep-spot' in the cabin sole floor (a cut out with a built-in dustpan: Remove the small cover, sweep into it, remove the plastic dustbin, empty dust, replace). A wet locker with a heater and a drain. Hanging lockers that are actually deep enough that clothes don't touch while on hangars.
A drain grate at the bottom of the companionway ladder.

Opening hatches above the heads, and the galley.

Lots of halyards - including a spare halyard forward, and aft: The spare aft halyard should be long enough that it can be rigged to the lifesling while cruising.

barnakiel · 09-08-2010, 09:23

Hawse pipes with integrated cleats (alike HCH boats).

Recessed cockpit benches (alike Tiburon).

Hard dodgers with a view (alike Foncia).

Autopilot switch integrated into the tiller (errrr. Dykstra?).

So many great ideas, so hardly ever picked up.

barnie