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maxingout · 04-05-2019, 07:24

I have a very basic 25 year old catamaran, and Exit Only isn’t fancy. We aren’t camping on board, but we have limited creature comforts. There aren’t a lot of complicated systems on board that we cannot fix or do without.

So what is the single greatest advance on board.

For us it is electricity.

We only have 4 AGM batteries in our house bank, but we have a large new solar panel and 2 Aerogen 6 wind generators that are twenty years old. We have electric fridge as well.

The solar panel and Aerogens provide all the electricity we need 95% of the time as long as we are in tradewinds.

We have a back up Honda 2200i generator that could be used if needed to run tools.

This very simple electrical system keeps our digital devices alive as well.

Electricity is awesome. Electricity has transformed our cruising experience.

conachair · 04-05-2019, 09:23

Not sure you can pin down "the best", but even in my relatively short decade and a bit there have been many advances. LEDs have come on leaps and bounds, many new gen anchors to choose from. Internet everywhere. Weather forecasting data just gets better and better with many sources. (windy.com gets better every week.) Cheap electronics like raspberry pi means a very sophisticated nav/monitoring system is possible for very little cash. Big list, many more

kindles

motion30 · 04-05-2019, 10:12

A large solar array was a big advantage to my boat as well. I am even running the hot water heater off solar.. now if I convert my watermaker to 12 volts I will almost never have to run the generator. I live aboard full-time

Pelagic · 04-05-2019, 10:27

While Solar and more efficient battery storage has given us much greater comforts, I think the improvements in Weather Forecasting and Graphic updates of Wind, Currents and Sea States is of a higher order of importance.
Far cry from interpreting SSB weather fax printouts

conachair · 04-05-2019, 10:52

Forgot dyneema. Dyneema's just great

mako · 04-05-2019, 11:49

Electricity without a generator! Almost as good as caveman learning how to make fire.

senormechanico · 04-05-2019, 12:04

LED's, Dyneema, solar panels, Spectra desalinator, fridge, it's so hard to choose !!!

dwedeking2 · 04-05-2019, 13:40

After a solid hull and sails is hands down electricity. It's the foundation to all other creature comforts (easy starting engine, auto pilot, lighting, navigation and a cold glass of water)

FlyingScot · 04-05-2019, 13:41

Safe and reliable power without shore power or running generator or engines.
With a lot of watt hours available, it makes many other things possible. Making water, heating water, Engel 40qt kept at 0C and freezer with spillover fridge, running and charging devices, instrumentation on full time, including radar if desired. We now use a microwave and plan to start cooking some meals with a 4L Instapot. I'm also considering a 1.1kw Torqeedo for it's light weight but also since recharging could be done with excess solar.
I'd estimate that we are 99% solar with a 2200i as backup. We make 4-6 kwh daily, but if we could make double, we would likely find a way to use much of it.

mako · 04-05-2019, 21:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by dwedeking2

After a solid hull and sails is hands down electricity. It's the foundation to all other creature comforts (easy starting engine, auto pilot, lighting, navigation and a cold glass of water)

I think we're living in a new era now. The days of ultra-minimalism (the Pardey era) don't seem to be so prevalent now. Thank God. Those were extreme days, where you'd make your wife crap in a cedar bucket then toss it overboard, then rinse it out with her hands. Wonderful

Nowadays a single square foot of solar panel, with a lithium battery the size of a cigarette pack, can power your lighting needs forever. Forget about kerosene lamps, polluting the atmosphere, getting difficult to even find fuel for these days.

I'm not advocating extremism either way, but are we taking off on our boats to escape a zombie apocalypse or to enjoy the Earth while can???

(that's my Sunday morning rant - gotta go to work now) peace

Pizzazz · 04-05-2019, 21:51

I do not understand the big deal about solar. We have had unlimited power generation from the engine/alternator for a good number of decades. For me solar is just more convenient and provides redundancy power in emergencies but it really shines at anchor. When under way, running the engine is usually sufficient.

For me the the biggest improvements (older boat) have been:

- PVC tubing + fresh water flush for the head (eliminates smell)
- Forced air diesel heater (totally transforms the utility of the boat)
- Water maker + extended fuel bladder (up to 100 gallons diesel)

SV Pizzazz

valhalla360 · 04-05-2019, 23:42

Of course, you could argue it's an offshoot of having electricity but computer/internet is probably the biggest improvement.

The days of relying on 10yr outdated cruising guides and word of mouth...now you have incredible access to information on everything from destinations, repairs, etc...