66 and 65. 1 year
live aboard.
Here I'll just talk about our big boat.
So I'll start of with the list I've undertaken:
1. 3' high solid rails
Great idea, we lust after these.
2. Lazy jacks for main and mizzen
Boat came with them. I find them a bit of a pain. But overall good for the big main.
3. Electric anchor windlass with chain
rode and big
Mantus anchor
Boat came with a
Lofrans Falcon, I've added a 125'
Mantus. I can raise it using a winch if needed. I don't need the aggitation of wondering about the hook.
4. 12 volt hoist with
remote control to hoist me up the mast.
I added steps. 24" apart, 20" would have been better.
5. wide sturdy swim/boarding ladder that folds down from the deck
Working on his, not easy with a underswung transom and
wind vane">Aries
wind vane.
6. Mast pulpit
I am ambivelent about this. It could be more pain than gain.
7. Additional boarding access step at
davits
We have relative low freeboard and use a
single clip on step that works well.
8. Added a pair of #52 self trailers for
sheets.
9. Strong track to make raising the main easier. But improvement
10. I designed and built a stern arch that does a lot.
Radar,
solar, antennas, wind yen, it hangs over the
water so we use a handy bully to handle the dinks 8hp. I got rid of the stern rails but close off the end of the arch with 2 pieces of small SS chain. This makes a very secure
work area and can be dropped like a gate for working over the transom.
11. Rebuilt the bow pulpit to make anchor work easier and safer, more sturdy.
2/. General simplification of systems.
None of these hints were done NUST because we are aging but because I am lazy and like to be comfortable.
And I don't think that is mentioned enough. Comfort. Our boat is our home at least 6 months a year. It needs to be a place where we can relax and recharge. It needs to make you feel safe in motion and on the hook. If you can go lay down and relax, let go, then it is more sustainable.