Brittany,
You ask good questions.....and I'll provide my answers, just be aware that the definitive answers are going to be based on YOUR boat, YOUR cruising / voyaging plans, YOUR desires / applications, and YOUR definitions of "quality-of-life" issues....
So, while we all can give you OUR answers, for OUR boats, OUR desires, OUR definition of "quality-of-life", etc.....they may be / will be different from yours....
Quote:
Originally Posted by windtraveler
Part one: What are the top 5 things/systems you had/wish you had on your boat and why?
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In the 21st Century, the list has changed a little, and depending on where/how I'm cruising, the order of the list will vary some....but here's my list:
1)
Alternative energy.....and a comprehensive energy plan (design and install an ernergy "system" (batteries, monitor, solar panels, etc. etc.) not just "some stuff"..... based on your energy needs/desires, and where/how you're cruising....taking into account future plans/additions...)
Whether used for refrigeration/freezer,
navigation equipment,
autopilot,
communications equipment, ventilation, entertainment, etc. etc. etc...
Most modern long-distance cruisers depend on their
electrical system far more than in years past.....and many new to cruising
remote areas and/or long-range voyaging, are usually in serious
electrical deficits, and will need as much alternative energy (solar) as they can fit.....
{Although, this does go hand-in-hand with the earlier comments about many newbies being over-equipped......nobody ever regrets having solar/alternative energy!!!!}
As much un-shaded solar as you can fit and secure.....never met a sailor/cruiser who regretted adding solar....
See my article/photos of my 520 watt arrary here:
Solar Panels
Depending on your boat and where/how you're cruising, you may also wish to consider
wind /
water generators....
See my water gen set-up here:
Towed-Water-Generator
To paraphrase Rich, on s/v Third Day...."there's no such thing as too much
electrical energy nor too much fresh water..."
{#2, #3, and #4.....all run very close to each other....}
2) Reliable self-steering.....whether hi-quality
autopilot or
wind vane....
The importance of having a reliable means of
steering your boat cannot be understated....(and if
electric autopilot, remember #1 above....plenty of alternative energy and
battery power...)
Reliable.....is the key part here.....no skimping here....make sure the darn thing works, works well / reliably, and that you can fix/adjust things yourselves....(and have spare parts as well...)
3) Good, secure, and
comfortable, sea berths.....as well as berths while in port..
Make sure you've got two solid and secure sea berths that are comfortable and well-ventilated......adequate lee cloths / lee boards, plenty of fans, and decent padding/cushioning......
Although, I've changed/added some fans....Here are some photos of what I've done in this regard...
Lee Boards/Cloths
Starboard Lee Cloth
12 Volt Fans
Getting a good rest is one of the most important factors in staying safe, healthy, and happy on-board.....
(the other being good
food and drink....so a well-equipped and well stocked
galley is also in the top 10 list....)
4)
Big, hi-quality anchors, chain, windlass, snubbers, extra chain and rode, etc....
Solid ground tackle is also one of those things that go unnoticed by many who are used to benign
anchorages and familiar territories.....but, for those cruising far-flung locales and voyaging long distances (like I do), having big, strong, and well designed and well installed anchors /
anchoring systems is VERY important.....
{My #5 and #6 are MY OPINIONS....based on MY desires, and MY applications.....so it might seem odd to some, but they
work for me.....}
5)
Bimini top / Sun protection......depending on where you're cruising, this might even be #2.....(and can be part of your solar array if you plan correctly...)
6) Hi-quality, COLD
refrigeration (and freezer), with lots of hi-quality
insulation (NOT the type that absorbs moisture), thereby allowing low-power
consumption AND lots of cold, fresh
food and drinks....and adequate
freezer to freeze fesh food provisioned along the way....
This may sound like a "cop-out" to some "purists", but I've voyaged / cruised 10's of thousands of miles over the last 40 years, and I like my
refrigeration.....
Some may want big-screen TV's and
DVD players, but that's not my cup-of-tea....I like my ice cold frig and
freezer....
Here are some photos/decription of what I went through to achieve a cold frig/freezer and have low-power
consumption....
Frig/Freezer
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As I wrote above, these questions are dependent on individual's opinions.....
But, in my mind, #1 thru #6 above, are on the top of the list, since they allow you to DO what you want, SAIL where you want, STAY how long you want, BE happy and healthy.....and everythng else comes after that.....
As for things following on my list, that would include..... hi-quality
dinghy /
outboard (preferably RIB)......Good stereo, lots of
music, SW
radio (for BBC, RCI, etc.), High quaility / reliable
depth sounder (depending on where you're cruising, this could be a VERY important thing to have), decent
communications gear / SSB/Ham radio (I'm a long-time radio nut)....and finally a watermaker.....
See some of my set-up here....
Watermaker
Nav Station
E120/Cockpit
A watermaker is NICE, and I DO have a nice one....
And, I do LOVE my watermaker....
And, they do make cruising
remote areas / voyaging long distances a pleasure...
But, in my opinion they don't make the "top 5 list".....
Depending on where/how your cruising, they'll be close.....and most these days would have them in their "top 10 list".....but not quite the "top 5"....
I do hope all this helps.....
John
s/v Annie Laurie
P.S.
There's a website that you might wish to read over....it's call "The Interview with a Cruiser Project"....
The INTERVIEW WITH A CRUISER Project
The INTERVIEW WITH A CRUISER Project: 10 Questions for Annie Laurie
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