Preparing boat to live aboard

[Davidhoy]

Originally Posted by boatpoker

Of course all of this is to be done after your new upholstery is fitted and your beer cooler is installed within easy reach of the grill.

Best advice so far ;-). But seriously, lots of good advice all around. I had a full pre-purchase survey done, and there are lots of little things that need attention, many of which you mention in your post. I had a great surveyor, though by the end of the day I felt like I'd been drinking from a firehose and was feeling overwhelmed. But his best advice as to take one system at a time, trace every hose, trace every wire, and get to know them intimately, but in bite sized chunks. Trying to take it all in at once is just too much to comprehend.

-David

[Davidhoy]

Originally Posted by Hudson Force

'an important thought here from Juho! I'm sure we can all agree that safety equipment is a high priority!

Agreed! I already have a Coast Guard safety check scheduled, which I expect to highlight a few deficiencies beyond the obvious expired flares, etc. Pretty sure that the life-raft needs service and the EPIRB needs new batteries. All these are high on my priority list.

Regards,
David

[Davidhoy]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

For instance, the two best things we had on this trip as decided by the wife was the $99 ice maker and the food vacuum sealer, neither of which we have ever tried in our house.

$99 ice maker?!? Sounds awesome, please let me know where to look for one! And I like the idea of the vacuum sealer, makes lots of sense.

Regards,
David.

[Davidhoy]

Originally Posted by Ann T. Cate

You've really had all the feedback you can handle for the short term, I think. Everyone is right who said to deal with the boat's systems first, so that you can start using it. The more time you spend aboard, the better sense you will have for what you want vs. need.

If you're a foodie, then figure out which utensils are most necessary for your style of cooking.

Unlike Hudson, we're set up to do varied baking: breads, cookies, and desserts, and we do have a propane BBQ, really like it in hot weather, like you have there in summer. However, although we have refrigeration (having sailed one yr. without), we have never had ice!

To me, one's bed is really important, but I do think that varies, as well: some people have specialist made box springs and mattresses for their berth, others, like me, are content with firm foam.

Go sailing and learn what you want.

Ann

Hi Ann,

Yes, lots of feedback, but I value it all. I am so pleasantly impressed by the helpfulness of everyone that has responded, and I hope that I can be as helpful to others down the line. Our boat has lots of systems - engine, genset, charger/inverter, watermaker, fridge and freezer, dual A/C, radar, chartplotter, etc - that just getting to know them all will be a challenge. I just want to make smart choices, and the advice I'm getting here is definitely helping to start me in the right direction. I think the single best piece of advice has been to wait on purchasing anything non-essential, just go spend as much time on the boat as possible as what we think we need know and what we actually need later may be totally different.

Regards,
David

[Davidhoy]

So much good advice! I have not been able to respond to every single post, but I do want to thank you ALL for the great information :-). Keep it coming...

-David

[a64pilot]

I'm on the phone but just search Amazon for portable ice maker. It is a 110VAC machine and I measured the draw at 60 Watts, 5 amps at 12VDC about the same as a marine fridge. Make ice when you have excess power like at the dock or when motoring and save in 1 gl zip loc freezer bags in the freezer.
Cheapest on was $99 and seems to work great
When it's stinking hot having plenty of ice to pour your Gatoraid over is a luxury

Sent from my iPhone using Cruisers Sailing Forum

[FSMike]

Originally Posted by Davidhoy

----- how to critically evaluate the boat and its systems, and decide what stay, what goes, what has to be upgraded, and what is simply nice to have. -----

Move on board now. That way the decisions will be yours.

[sailorboy1]

Originally Posted by Davidhoy

I think the single best piece of advice has been to wait on purchasing anything non-essential, just go spend as much time on the boat as possible as what we think we need know and what we actually need later may be totally different.

I'm selling my house and sailing off in the next couple of months. I fight the "get something for the boat" all the time. In my mind I've been sailing my boat for years including week long trip. If I REALLY needed something on the boat I would have it already. If I find that something turns out to really be important I bet there are places to get it along the way.