Top 3 Must Have Upgrades?

[Nariel]

Super exciting! After 10 years of dreaming and 2 years of careful planning/saving, the husband and I are under contract for 44' FP Orana. As logistics officer, I am in charge of reigning in the Captain's spending.

So aside from the post-survey necessary re-fit items, what would you list as the top 3 must have immediate or as quickly as possible purchase upgrades/items that made everything a bit nicer, more fun, more comfortable, safer, easier?

I realize I am casting a very wide question, but this is on purpose. I'm really curious to hear what others who have gone before recommend.

[rwells36]

Depends how you intend to use the vessel. Live-aboard? Cruising? Home base location?

[Sojourner]

Sodastream to fizz wine
Litterbox for the 3 cats
Hammock because I'm a lazy poes

I hope those answers were diverse enough You really should narrow the question down, cause we're all different

[Tayana42]

What does the boat already have? Electronic navigation, anchoring system, sail handling systems, dinghy, out board, davits, solar, generator, refrigeration, fitted sheets?

[paulajayne]

If cruising liveaboard.

Solar.
Water maker.
Fishing gear.

[Bean Counter]

Assuming it is an ex charter Orana with working generator, then the following

Easy Life top 3
1. Water Maker
2. Clothes Washer
3. Good Battery Capacity

Easy Sailing Top 3

1. Folding Propellers
2. Electric Winches
2. Good Down wind sails

[sailorboy1]

solar
davits
ground tackle

[SV Siren]

For me it means:
New electrical.
New paint on everything above the waterline.
Actual cushions.

Your demands may vary...

[sailorboy1]

Real mattress
Cabin fans
Tv with a mirror cast from phone

[sailorboy1]

Autopilot
Bimini
Good cockpit cushions

[Nariel]

Thanks everyone! These are great answers -- especially the sodastream!

Plans are liveaboard cruising starting on east coast US then carib islands. If all goes well, then we hope to go through the canal and do the west coast US/Hawaii.

Solar/new battery bank seems to be the big winner for the husband. He is none to impressed with the current wind generator.

[thinwater]

1. Up-size sail plan. Many x-charter boats are under-powered and stupid slow.
2. Barber Hauler.
3. Water filtration.

(Many of things listed so far I assume are standard.)

[puffcard]

Good dinghy and outboard to plane
Chart plotter with charts
Good mattresses or a topper

[Tafa]

Priority upgrades should be;

- keeps your boat watertight (through hulls, hoses, hatches, bilge pumps, hull and deck structure)
- maintains and improves safety (wiring, fire fighting, lifelines, stanchions, jacklines, security...)
- keeps your boat powered (engine, rigging, sails)

[Group9]

1. Good mattresses
2. Good dinghy/ and motor.
3. Adequate freezer/refridgeration capacity.

These three things made our first cruise better, when we made them better.