Your Best Addition / Upgrade Suggestion to a New Build ?

[tulsag]

We are getting ready to build a semi-custom 48'-50' world cruiser. Before we get the boat 'priced', we would like to hear suggestions concerning a favorite item(s) of yours that you think adds tremendous pleasure/convenience to your vessel but are not part of the 'standard' package.

Such as:
a fan in the head (hard to wire in later)
digital amp and volt meters (practically free if done initially)
a drop hatch though the Corian into the trash bin so that
you don't have to open a doornob each entry
special plumbing for back flushing the watermaker


Just stuff that makes you like your boat 'extra special'. Or an envy another!

Thanks. Your suggestions can help a ton!

Mark

[daddle]

My best upgrade was getting rid of 4000 pounds (seriously) of useless cruiser clutter the previous owner couldn't live without.

[Minggat]

Love my stern arch. It covers a multitude of sins. I had it made strong enough (hopefully) to do more than just hold solar panels. It works with my boarding ladder to act as dingy davit. Stores extra anchors, has lights and more than one antenna. Removed stern pulpit and incorporated stern pulpit features/functions in it.

Oowwe. I like this thread. Can I give another favorite?

[S/V Alchemy]

Go with a pilothouse and an outside helm. Best of both worlds, and having the boat as a sort of "split level", like this:

Arch bimini/solar panels Pilothouse roof
Tender stowage
aft sailing deck pilothouse cabin top anchor well

aft cabin engine bay saloon/head forepeak workshop

stores water tanks fuel tanks batteries stores stores



Picture this with an arch like this:



I am finding that the "splits" make for privacy, cool places to retreat, the illusion of space, the confining of work space for work, food for food, etc, and the pilothouse becomes a place to keep all instruments and charts dry. Also, I really enjoy dropping down into the engine and tankage space instead of lifting up a big set of companionway stairs.

We really like having an "inside" that isn't "down below", and even though it's about seven by nine feet, it has a couple of pilot berths, a day berth, several stowage lockers and plenty of view and ventilation hatches.

[zeehag]

so far my best addition/mod/upgrade is the perkins 4-108 under the doghouse.......and me as owner.....

[sww914]

#1 Separate sleeping areas Mom & Dad in the aft cabin and the teenaged boy in the v berth.
#2 I second the pilothouse. It's the sun room, the galley, the dining room, and the nav station all just through the companionway.
#3 propane detectors, cheap peace of mind.
#4 charge controllers are fun to watch. "Yeah Baby! 20 amps! Daddys getting a new pair of shoes!"
#5 a big ass bilge pump. It feels good to know that I can get a gallon a second out of the boat. The hose kicks like a shotgun when it comes on. Good stuff for little boys who like big toys.

[ozskipper]

Drink holders at the helm. Definately more that one. Because they always end up with other things in them Pliers, cigarettes, Shackles, half eaten sandwiches and even other peoples drinks arrg!! I know they are a small item compared to some of the electonics you will purchase. But when the skipper needs a place to keep his coffee at 3am in the middle of the storm they are very very important.

[zeehag]

wow--hadnt thought of that-- drink holders at the helm--i have just enough room forthat-- i would like to be to be about 6 ft tall, built, the other, could be around same height... we see-- opposites or twins???? they would definitely HAVE to be male.
what--ye thinking htis is a joke post?? i am deadly serious, here.....would be reallly nice if they could stand watch , also, and not look or smell too much like a goat.......

[Minggat]

The great things about threads like this are all the ideas you get to come away with.

Foot pumps.
Saves power and water and mess. No slinging water around just to shut it off.

A second dink.
Where to start with that one? Seriously makes the mother ship more fun.
One go fast for fun, and one sailing dink for.... well... fun.
Tells the bad guys there's someone aboard when maybe there isn't.
Lets people go their seperate way without stranding someone on the boat.
Dinks run away from home sometimes. Nice to have a backup. (I never tow either one, but there are other ways to loose a dink)

[Artif]

Good quality tinned copper wiring and heat shrinkable crimp connectors.
You will thank me for this one in the years to come

KISS, it's so tempting to fit every single bell and whistle, you are just buying more future problems and expense, dual systems for essential gear, the rest can stay in the shop.

p.s anything except a volvo engine is a major upgrade.

[ozskipper]

Originally Posted by zeehag

wow--hadnt thought of that-- drink holders at the helm--i have just enough room forthat-- i would like to be to be about 6 ft tall, built, the other, could be around same height... we see-- opposites or twins???? they would definitely HAVE to be male.
what--ye thinking htis is a joke post?? i am deadly serious, here.....would be reallly nice if they could stand watch , also, and not look or smell too much like a goat.......

Zeehag. I feel you may have advanced my idea somewhat. I was initially thinking of the proprietry drink holder available for purchase at a chandlers. But, your extention on the idea holds water (no pun intended). However, mine would need to be female- one blonde, one brunette with questionable morals of course.

It would also be handy if they had wealthy fathers who owned either a chain of marinas or several breweries.

Cheers
Oz

[swagman]

A defined sump where all or any bilge water is going to drain to - and can then be pumped away.
Costs nix to build into the hull from new, but absolutely impossible to add as an afterthought.
JOHN

[Artif]

Good point swagman, but I would add to that.
A stainless sump under the engine, makes cleaning up after servicing/ maintenance a breeze, and keeps the diesel/ oil from the bilges.

[nigel1]

Not done yet, but someone gave me the idea to fit covers over the galley sinks to increase the work top area.

[Minggat]

Originally Posted by Artif

KISS, it's so tempting to fit every single bell and whistle, you are just buying more future problems and expense, dual systems for essential gear, the rest can stay in the shop.

There's no need to be so brutally accurate.

I hate that balancing act because I'm no good at it. (just this one more gadet and that 's all,... except for just this other one more...)