Which Do You Select: Marine-Grade or Consumer-Grade ?

[boatpoker]

You are gonna take the wheels off it right ?

[johnar]

LOL oh yes have to take it off the frame and still need to make the frame to hold it, just got my steel the day before the motor blew.

Man what a set back was hoping to head south in 6 to 8 weeks.

Dutch

[bobfnbw]

The question is: use marine grade or home grade on your boat.
Personally I feel that most marine grade products are over priced for what you get.
If you can afford it, go with it. It will probably last longer.
But for household appliences like microwaves, toatsters, coffee makers and the like, go household, NOT 12 volt. You might have to replace them a bit more often, but the savings will pay for itself. Assuming you can even get a "marine version" of that.
When it comes to computers, I believe that since I update them every few years, that a ruggedized version is not worth the extra money. Take the panasonic toughbooks for example. They cost 4x or more what a average laptop costs. Its not needed. Get a Pelican laptop case and keep it in there when not being use with some dessicant. Especially when taking it ashore.
The cost is just not justifiable for many of us on a budget.
If you got the money, go for it.
Bob

[RubyBishop]

All the comments are as I thought.
. . . T9 excellent idea

[Therapy]

Originally Posted by boatpoker

Outside we waxed our stainless cause' the T9 is a little tacky

I think I will still do the lower parts and bases and screws anyway.

[bella]

Originally Posted by Therapy

I think I will still do the lower parts and bases and screws anyway.

I have had really good luck with spray silicone on my outside stuff, screws, blocks that sort of thing.

[bella]

Originally Posted by bobfnbw

The question is: use marine grade or home grade on your boat.
Personally I feel that most marine grade products are over priced for what you get.
If you can afford it, go with it. It will probably last longer.
But for household appliences like microwaves, toatsters, coffee makers and the like, go household, NOT 12 volt. You might have to replace them a bit more often, but the savings will pay for itself. Assuming you can even get a "marine version" of that.
When it comes to computers, I believe that since I update them every few years, that a ruggedized version is not worth the extra money. Take the panasonic toughbooks for example. They cost 4x or more what a average laptop costs. Its not needed. Get a Pelican laptop case and keep it in there when not being use with some dessicant. Especially when taking it ashore.
The cost is just not justifiable for many of us on a budget.
If you got the money, go for it.
Bob

I purchased my toughbook 28 from Ebay for $900. It is pretty close to what I would have spent, if not less, for a good laptop. I also have satellite uplink capabilities with this toughbook. I guess it all depends on what you plan on doing with the laptop. I keep it in a decent case and don't worry about.
I am still using a compaq presario laptop I purchased in 2003 for my navigational computer.. it only has an 8 gig HD but it does what I need it too.