Is there any one upgrade you did to your boat for under $100.00 that you would recommend all us to do to our boats?
Cheap Recommendations
- Thread starter thubbard84
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Cheap Upgrades
Not much to work with, but: 1. New jib sheets 2. A second marine battery 3. Battery Switch 4. Swim ladder 5. Auto switch for bilge pump 6. Netting for around lifelines 7. Whisker pole (may be more than $100 depending on boat size, mine was about $89) 8. Winch lube and a couple hours of work 9. Tiller extension 10. Radar reflector
Not much to work with, but: 1. New jib sheets 2. A second marine battery 3. Battery Switch 4. Swim ladder 5. Auto switch for bilge pump 6. Netting for around lifelines 7. Whisker pole (may be more than $100 depending on boat size, mine was about $89) 8. Winch lube and a couple hours of work 9. Tiller extension 10. Radar reflector
Cheap Upgrades
Add to the list: 11) sail cleaning... might cost a little more but worth every penny. 12) new halyards... 13) vinyl graphics... 14) buy a buffer from Harbor Freight and polish your hull. http://www.harborfreight.com/ 15) buy some sandpaper and Cetol marine and brighten up your bright work... 16) buy some plexiglass cleaner and shine up your ports: http://www.parasolinc.com/Products.asp?productID=CKLEAR707
Add to the list: 11) sail cleaning... might cost a little more but worth every penny. 12) new halyards... 13) vinyl graphics... 14) buy a buffer from Harbor Freight and polish your hull. http://www.harborfreight.com/ 15) buy some sandpaper and Cetol marine and brighten up your bright work... 16) buy some plexiglass cleaner and shine up your ports: http://www.parasolinc.com/Products.asp?productID=CKLEAR707
Cheap refrig
Converted ice box to refrigerator using the guts from a used dorm sized refrigerator - $25
Converted ice box to refrigerator using the guts from a used dorm sized refrigerator - $25
Cheap Upgrades
Before you do anything else get a Carbon Monoxide detector. If you run a gas stove, a gas heater, a generator or an inboard engine you need one of these and they will be under $100. With the money left over you can also do some of the following; Get an electric single burner that you can use at dockside to cook quick things without having to fire the old alcohol or propane stove. It stores easy and is convenient. $9.99 + tax. Get one of those automobile rechargable vacum cleaners and mount the charging base to plug into shore power. A small 110V dry/wet vac cleans, collects water and can be used to fill an inflatable. Install a Jerry Can station with a board between two stanchions to tie your diesel, gas and water additional containers. Mark your anchor rode with paint in 50 ft increments.
Before you do anything else get a Carbon Monoxide detector. If you run a gas stove, a gas heater, a generator or an inboard engine you need one of these and they will be under $100. With the money left over you can also do some of the following; Get an electric single burner that you can use at dockside to cook quick things without having to fire the old alcohol or propane stove. It stores easy and is convenient. $9.99 + tax. Get one of those automobile rechargable vacum cleaners and mount the charging base to plug into shore power. A small 110V dry/wet vac cleans, collects water and can be used to fill an inflatable. Install a Jerry Can station with a board between two stanchions to tie your diesel, gas and water additional containers. Mark your anchor rode with paint in 50 ft increments.
my cheap upgrades for under $100
1. nav lights ($50) 2. reefing points ($90) 3. used traveller ($100) 4. second battery ($100) 5. handheld VHF ($79) 6. sail cover ($100) 7. storage bins ($16) 8. solar panel ($70) 9. additional inspection ports ($8-16 each) 10. really good hootch for apres sail sipping... priceless!
1. nav lights ($50) 2. reefing points ($90) 3. used traveller ($100) 4. second battery ($100) 5. handheld VHF ($79) 6. sail cover ($100) 7. storage bins ($16) 8. solar panel ($70) 9. additional inspection ports ($8-16 each) 10. really good hootch for apres sail sipping... priceless!
On my "to do" list items
Thanks for great ideas. Now... Things I want to do soon: 1. Add A fire safety port to the engine compartment made of lexan or metal. Less than $10, plus some drilling. 2. Hand-held wind velocity meter. About $89. 3. Can of varnish, brushes, tape, sandpaper and the will-to-work, for a better looking boat. Around $50 4. Install a cutoff valve on the hot water line to the hot water heater, so if/when I get a leak, I can run the engine but bypass the heater. Less than $25. And a couple of items I added that I'm glad about: 1. Hand-held VHF. About $90. 2. Winch rebuild kit. Less than $50 3. Autohelm rebuild kit. About $60. 4. Good battery operated drill with spare battery. About $90. 5. Bolt cutters. If I ever need them, I'll be glad. $?? 6. MOB pole/flag. Around $100. 7. Lifesling (more tha $100 but worth it). That's enough fill a stocking or two. Sanders s/v/ Good News
Thanks for great ideas. Now... Things I want to do soon: 1. Add A fire safety port to the engine compartment made of lexan or metal. Less than $10, plus some drilling. 2. Hand-held wind velocity meter. About $89. 3. Can of varnish, brushes, tape, sandpaper and the will-to-work, for a better looking boat. Around $50 4. Install a cutoff valve on the hot water line to the hot water heater, so if/when I get a leak, I can run the engine but bypass the heater. Less than $25. And a couple of items I added that I'm glad about: 1. Hand-held VHF. About $90. 2. Winch rebuild kit. Less than $50 3. Autohelm rebuild kit. About $60. 4. Good battery operated drill with spare battery. About $90. 5. Bolt cutters. If I ever need them, I'll be glad. $?? 6. MOB pole/flag. Around $100. 7. Lifesling (more tha $100 but worth it). That's enough fill a stocking or two. Sanders s/v/ Good News
Back up to the back up bilge pump
backed up the bilge pump with a larger pump Recharged the fire extinguishers.Brought the sails to the sailmaker for a go over. Updated the propane cannister.
backed up the bilge pump with a larger pump Recharged the fire extinguishers.Brought the sails to the sailmaker for a go over. Updated the propane cannister.
Ultimate upgrade for $100
Directions 1. Fill diesel tank.($10) 2. Top off water tanks ($5) 3. Fill fridge with $85 of ice and misc. provisions. 4. Borrow knife and cut old worn dock lines. 5. Sail for one week or until provisions are depleted. 6. Sail back with list of items you really need the next time you have $100 (or put it on your MasterCard) And they dogs didn't even pay me for this plug!!!!
Directions 1. Fill diesel tank.($10) 2. Top off water tanks ($5) 3. Fill fridge with $85 of ice and misc. provisions. 4. Borrow knife and cut old worn dock lines. 5. Sail for one week or until provisions are depleted. 6. Sail back with list of items you really need the next time you have $100 (or put it on your MasterCard) And they dogs didn't even pay me for this plug!!!!
Stern Rail Cushions
You won't find a less expensive project: Good Luck! Tim Brogan April IV C350 #68 Seattle
You won't find a less expensive project: Good Luck! Tim Brogan April IV C350 #68 Seattle
Low Friction Single Line Reefing
Another, super in-expensive upgrade: Good Luck! Tim Brogan April IV C350 #68 Seattle
Another, super in-expensive upgrade: Good Luck! Tim Brogan April IV C350 #68 Seattle
interesting
Safety harness - priceless LED flashlight ($3.00) GPS (cheap) GPS cable to plug into cigarette socket ($8.00) 1,000,000 candle rechargeable spotlights ($10.00) two VHF hand helds ($88.00 for both ) 6 gallon Rubbermaid water containers ($6.00 ea) a good hat ($20.00) M830 digital multimeter ($4.00) All of these are new. Most bought at our local discount store called Marc's. The two marine radios were on sale at Boat US.
Safety harness - priceless LED flashlight ($3.00) GPS (cheap) GPS cable to plug into cigarette socket ($8.00) 1,000,000 candle rechargeable spotlights ($10.00) two VHF hand helds ($88.00 for both ) 6 gallon Rubbermaid water containers ($6.00 ea) a good hat ($20.00) M830 digital multimeter ($4.00) All of these are new. Most bought at our local discount store called Marc's. The two marine radios were on sale at Boat US.
Single line reefing
Tim Great photos. Thanks for the ideas. The parts are now on my Chritmas list
Tim Great photos. Thanks for the ideas. The parts are now on my Chritmas list
Blocks for single line reefing
Hey Tim - great post. Those blocks would have to take a whale of a loading when you reefed - have you had either of them pop on you? cheers,
Hey Tim - great post. Those blocks would have to take a whale of a loading when you reefed - have you had either of them pop on you? cheers,
Tiller Tamer
Less than $15, even if you need to buy small jam cleats that install vertically on the transom.
Less than $15, even if you need to buy small jam cleats that install vertically on the transom.
I'm Surprised!
A hand-held backup GPS wasn't mentioned until about four posts back. I would have expected it to be mentioned earlier. A hand-held GPS is very cheap nowdays and they can do wonders, also. As a security measure, it can't be beat.
A hand-held backup GPS wasn't mentioned until about four posts back. I would have expected it to be mentioned earlier. A hand-held GPS is very cheap nowdays and they can do wonders, also. As a security measure, it can't be beat.
A backup alternator
My alternator has failed twice in ten years. The last time I had it rebuilt for $90 (100+ amps). A new one would have been $150 at the time. So I bought one as a backup and keep it on board. They are easy to change and won't require a tow.
My alternator has failed twice in ten years. The last time I had it rebuilt for $90 (100+ amps). A new one would have been $150 at the time. So I bought one as a backup and keep it on board. They are easy to change and won't require a tow.
A Portable Battery Jumper
Very popular for the car these days, but I keep one on the boat for that inevitable time that I will forget to flip the battery switch. Again - insurance!
Very popular for the car these days, but I keep one on the boat for that inevitable time that I will forget to flip the battery switch. Again - insurance!
Big second on the portable batter jumper...
have used mine on several occasions (and not just from stupidity) and have given them for gifts.
have used mine on several occasions (and not just from stupidity) and have given them for gifts.
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