Whether it's Beneteau, Catalina, Hunter, O'Day, Macgregor, or another boatmaker, all make good production boats. But production boats frequently don't meet all of their buyer's specific needs or desires. What have you done to customize your boat to suit your tastes or requirements? Have you done an appearance upgrade with more teak or some sprucing up with brass lamps or weather instruments? How about some serious electronics like chartplotters or radar? Perhaps you added a spinnaker to your sail inventory or upgraded your ground tackle or dinghy? Or then again, maybe you got the perfect boat for you and left well enough alone. Please share your improvements with us, then be sure to vote in the Quick Quiz at the bottom of the home page. (Quiz contributed by Gary Wyngarden)
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Just a few things
I made a template of the sole plate through out the entire boat. I used it to have a high quality carpet fitted with a rubberized backing and stitched edges. It added a lot to the interior and makes it more comfortable. It is in sections and is easily pulled up for access to the floor compartments. I also had a mount made out of stainless tubing for my outboard motor. Added a full line of RayMarine intruments including a chart plotter at the nav station. We have an asymetrical spinnaker. The boat is a 410 and came with a television and video casset player installed by the factory. John Richard s/v Jack's Place
I made a template of the sole plate through out the entire boat. I used it to have a high quality carpet fitted with a rubberized backing and stitched edges. It added a lot to the interior and makes it more comfortable. It is in sections and is easily pulled up for access to the floor compartments. I also had a mount made out of stainless tubing for my outboard motor. Added a full line of RayMarine intruments including a chart plotter at the nav station. We have an asymetrical spinnaker. The boat is a 410 and came with a television and video casset player installed by the factory. John Richard s/v Jack's Place
A TV
Why would someone want a TV? I thought part of this sailing thing was to get awy from it all. Of course you could plug in your how to sail tape.
Why would someone want a TV? I thought part of this sailing thing was to get awy from it all. Of course you could plug in your how to sail tape.
We,ve added a lot to our 26
Since we bought our H-26 in 1996, we've added a lot of stuff. To start with, we had the dealer remove the squiggle off the hull and just continue the stripes back. We have added: CDI Furler Harken Lazy Jacks Spinnaker halyard, padeyes and blocks Compass GPS-Fish Finder Autopilot Bimini VHF Radio Bigger Battery Larger Fuel Tank Pop Top Canvas Stereo with CD Flag Staff There is more to come... Mike Pajewski H26 "Loon"
Since we bought our H-26 in 1996, we've added a lot of stuff. To start with, we had the dealer remove the squiggle off the hull and just continue the stripes back. We have added: CDI Furler Harken Lazy Jacks Spinnaker halyard, padeyes and blocks Compass GPS-Fish Finder Autopilot Bimini VHF Radio Bigger Battery Larger Fuel Tank Pop Top Canvas Stereo with CD Flag Staff There is more to come... Mike Pajewski H26 "Loon"
Electrical Panel Customization
When I purchased the boat the sailing instruments (D,S, AWI)were mounted on the forward cockpit bulkhead, portside, and the instrument backs protruded through the double skin into the cabin. Ugly. In addition, the circuit breaker panel was located in/on the face of the nav berth opposite the engine compartment. This location required me to get on my hands and knees to see and flip the breakers as needed. Also, when sitting on that berth facing the centerline sometimes the back of my legs would inadvertantly flip breakers. The solution was to extend all the wiring to reach up to where the backs of the instruments were located, at eye level on the interior face of the cockpit bulkhead. Using a 5" hole saw, I drilled through the interior bulkead just below the where the instruments protruded. There's a 1/2" space between the two skins. I then built a small teak box to cover both the instrument backs and the hole, ran the extended wires up behind the bulkead, and out through the hole. I then mounted the box, mounted the panels on the box and voila, all the breakers were at eye level.
When I purchased the boat the sailing instruments (D,S, AWI)were mounted on the forward cockpit bulkhead, portside, and the instrument backs protruded through the double skin into the cabin. Ugly. In addition, the circuit breaker panel was located in/on the face of the nav berth opposite the engine compartment. This location required me to get on my hands and knees to see and flip the breakers as needed. Also, when sitting on that berth facing the centerline sometimes the back of my legs would inadvertantly flip breakers. The solution was to extend all the wiring to reach up to where the backs of the instruments were located, at eye level on the interior face of the cockpit bulkhead. Using a 5" hole saw, I drilled through the interior bulkead just below the where the instruments protruded. There's a 1/2" space between the two skins. I then built a small teak box to cover both the instrument backs and the hole, ran the extended wires up behind the bulkead, and out through the hole. I then mounted the box, mounted the panels on the box and voila, all the breakers were at eye level.
Helm for 19 Powersailer
Installed Helm, using teleflex steering, and Morse single throttle and shift control mounted on a Todd console.
Installed Helm, using teleflex steering, and Morse single throttle and shift control mounted on a Todd console.
Inside and Outside
Imagine this, Hunter placed drapes and blinds throughout the entire boat, except, of course, the main sleeping cabin. We contacted the company that makes them for Hunter (Bristol Cushions) and remedied that within weeks of taking delivery. We learned, from this web site, that a cruising spinnaker really helped out the larger boats with the B
Imagine this, Hunter placed drapes and blinds throughout the entire boat, except, of course, the main sleeping cabin. We contacted the company that makes them for Hunter (Bristol Cushions) and remedied that within weeks of taking delivery. We learned, from this web site, that a cruising spinnaker really helped out the larger boats with the B
GALLY SPACE
AS A GAL WHO SPENDS EVERY WEEKEND ON HER BOAT, I FOUND THAT I NEEDED MORE STORAGE SPACE FOR GALLY ITEMS. SO ON MY SEARCH FOR HIDDEN SPACE I REMOVED THE INSERT THAT MACGREGOR PUT UNDER THE SINK
AS A GAL WHO SPENDS EVERY WEEKEND ON HER BOAT, I FOUND THAT I NEEDED MORE STORAGE SPACE FOR GALLY ITEMS. SO ON MY SEARCH FOR HIDDEN SPACE I REMOVED THE INSERT THAT MACGREGOR PUT UNDER THE SINK
Electrical
As this boat was designed and is built in France, several 'cultural' differences are highlighted. 1) I converted 1 (of the several) wine locker to contain a 13" TV. There was no other place for one. 2) I had to give up value countertop space in the galley for a microwave. There is no way to build one in without destroying half of the lockers there. 3) When will builders get the fact that putting 2 car batteries in boat with 12v refrigeration, GPS, radar, lights, stereo, etc. is not enough? I had one of the batteries removed and installed 4 6v deep cycle with a Heart charger/inverter and upgraded the alternator.
As this boat was designed and is built in France, several 'cultural' differences are highlighted. 1) I converted 1 (of the several) wine locker to contain a 13" TV. There was no other place for one. 2) I had to give up value countertop space in the galley for a microwave. There is no way to build one in without destroying half of the lockers there. 3) When will builders get the fact that putting 2 car batteries in boat with 12v refrigeration, GPS, radar, lights, stereo, etc. is not enough? I had one of the batteries removed and installed 4 6v deep cycle with a Heart charger/inverter and upgraded the alternator.
Spinnaker well
On my Hunter 29.5, I removed the half-shelf over the water heater and put in a lightweight plywood shelf that's 36 inches deep. It holds both spinnakers for easy access out the foredeck window.
On my Hunter 29.5, I removed the half-shelf over the water heater and put in a lightweight plywood shelf that's 36 inches deep. It holds both spinnakers for easy access out the foredeck window.
Sound improvement
I have done little to customize my boat in the seven years that I have owned it. But I have personalized it, some. The most important upgrade was the installation of a new electrical panel that has expanded my power options. This has allowed me to add a nice radio to the cabin. My big stumbling block was not the mounting of the radio, which I did with a standard under the dash box but the speaker placement. I didn't want to cut large holes in the boat to insert flush mounted speakers. So I found some self contained box speakers that required only two small holes for mounting the brackets. I did this at the aft side of the foward bulkheads. These small speakers don't take up much room, they swivle and provide good sound reproduction. Once all the wiring was in place I upgraded my 'Dollar Store' radio to a digital Sony model. Its an Am-FM cassette model that I use with my portable CD player with cassette adapter. Works great, doesn't take up too much room and sounds very good. If I could do anything else it would be to replace the dark formica table top covering with something lighter with a non-skid surface. I think it would brighten the enterior of the cabin. Thanks for the opportunity to share my little story with you. Good luck. Rick Klein "Mary Ann" 4966
I have done little to customize my boat in the seven years that I have owned it. But I have personalized it, some. The most important upgrade was the installation of a new electrical panel that has expanded my power options. This has allowed me to add a nice radio to the cabin. My big stumbling block was not the mounting of the radio, which I did with a standard under the dash box but the speaker placement. I didn't want to cut large holes in the boat to insert flush mounted speakers. So I found some self contained box speakers that required only two small holes for mounting the brackets. I did this at the aft side of the foward bulkheads. These small speakers don't take up much room, they swivle and provide good sound reproduction. Once all the wiring was in place I upgraded my 'Dollar Store' radio to a digital Sony model. Its an Am-FM cassette model that I use with my portable CD player with cassette adapter. Works great, doesn't take up too much room and sounds very good. If I could do anything else it would be to replace the dark formica table top covering with something lighter with a non-skid surface. I think it would brighten the enterior of the cabin. Thanks for the opportunity to share my little story with you. Good luck. Rick Klein "Mary Ann" 4966
Mini-Galley
I have added ham and marine radios and upgraded the lighting, but my most signifigant upgrade was to build a mini-galley into my MacGregor 21. It has a butane stove, coffee maker, tilt-up top with ceramic tile inlay, a Coleman 12v cooler, and fitted slots for the dishes. Space is tight on a 21, but this makes overnighting much more pleasant.
I have added ham and marine radios and upgraded the lighting, but my most signifigant upgrade was to build a mini-galley into my MacGregor 21. It has a butane stove, coffee maker, tilt-up top with ceramic tile inlay, a Coleman 12v cooler, and fitted slots for the dishes. Space is tight on a 21, but this makes overnighting much more pleasant.
Catalina 30 upgrades
My Catalina 30 is an 1985 model so it needed some serious attention. We purchased it May-01. My interior upgrades have included the following: replaced the vanity countertop in the head ripped out the alcohol stove/oven and alcohol storage tank built a cabinet to fit back into the gimbal fitting from the old stove to hold a microwave, one burner propane cook-top and small storage area (beach ply trimmed with teak) replaced all curtains changed oil, oil filter, fuel filter, impeller, drained crud from fuel separator resealed all leaking windows and one chainplate (that led to the demise of the vanity top) working on adding radio/CD player/speakers NEXT STEP - build a propane locker and run the propane lines to the galley Exterior improvements included: new mainsail - Quantum new roller furler system - Schaefer 1100 (converted old 150 genoa, but will buy a new one shortly). System was installed by the marina. all new lines varnish all teak new throttle/forward/reverse handles on the Edson peddistal new sail cover - Sailrite new lazy jacks plastic covers for lifelines NEXT STEP - bottom job I would love to hear any advice on installing the radio and whether to attempt the bottom job myself. I also have an annoying, slow oil leak. If anybody has had a similar problem with their Universal 18 engine, I would be glad to hear how you tracked it down and how you fixed it. Has anybody converted from alcohol to propane with some tips? If you want tips on anything that I have done, feel free to email me at tomhogan1@aol.com
My Catalina 30 is an 1985 model so it needed some serious attention. We purchased it May-01. My interior upgrades have included the following: replaced the vanity countertop in the head ripped out the alcohol stove/oven and alcohol storage tank built a cabinet to fit back into the gimbal fitting from the old stove to hold a microwave, one burner propane cook-top and small storage area (beach ply trimmed with teak) replaced all curtains changed oil, oil filter, fuel filter, impeller, drained crud from fuel separator resealed all leaking windows and one chainplate (that led to the demise of the vanity top) working on adding radio/CD player/speakers NEXT STEP - build a propane locker and run the propane lines to the galley Exterior improvements included: new mainsail - Quantum new roller furler system - Schaefer 1100 (converted old 150 genoa, but will buy a new one shortly). System was installed by the marina. all new lines varnish all teak new throttle/forward/reverse handles on the Edson peddistal new sail cover - Sailrite new lazy jacks plastic covers for lifelines NEXT STEP - bottom job I would love to hear any advice on installing the radio and whether to attempt the bottom job myself. I also have an annoying, slow oil leak. If anybody has had a similar problem with their Universal 18 engine, I would be glad to hear how you tracked it down and how you fixed it. Has anybody converted from alcohol to propane with some tips? If you want tips on anything that I have done, feel free to email me at tomhogan1@aol.com
Had to Break up that Stark White Interior!!
First thing, was to give some colour below decks. All that white was TOO MUCH!! So Karen found special decorative pieces in vinyl - just like wallpaper...lighthouses, boats and waves. They now break up the bleak appearance below. In addition, we added the mandatory barbecue, then installed a 12 gallon fresh water holding tank. Above decks, we added a combination knotmeter, depthsounder - fishfinder and knot log. This Year?? - A way to improve the full cockpit enclosure to keep the black flies and mosquitoes outside, and, I hope - a downrigger, so I can go after Lake Trout again.
First thing, was to give some colour below decks. All that white was TOO MUCH!! So Karen found special decorative pieces in vinyl - just like wallpaper...lighthouses, boats and waves. They now break up the bleak appearance below. In addition, we added the mandatory barbecue, then installed a 12 gallon fresh water holding tank. Above decks, we added a combination knotmeter, depthsounder - fishfinder and knot log. This Year?? - A way to improve the full cockpit enclosure to keep the black flies and mosquitoes outside, and, I hope - a downrigger, so I can go after Lake Trout again.
Too much but not enough!
I've refinished the interior, added access to storage, made it "mine", painted the entire boat, keep up the varnish, upgraded motor, upgraded *some* of the rigging - plan on finishing that this spring. Soo much to do, so little time and money! LaDonna
I've refinished the interior, added access to storage, made it "mine", painted the entire boat, keep up the varnish, upgraded motor, upgraded *some* of the rigging - plan on finishing that this spring. Soo much to do, so little time and money! LaDonna
Portlights and holding tank.
Two jobs that I never want to do again! Replacing ten plastic(Gray) portlights with ten bronze(NFM) is a very large undertaking. And, of course, this created additional tasks. Like painting the cabin, deck, and non-skid. Have you removed your winches and handrails?! The holding tank is not as bad, just a lot of measuring and fitting to get a rectangular tank into a hole that defies description. Yes, they make tanks of all shapes and sizes but none that fit any better than the one I selected. I threw away more cardboard templates than you can imagine.
Moral? Buy the boat finished!
Two jobs that I never want to do again! Replacing ten plastic(Gray) portlights with ten bronze(NFM) is a very large undertaking. And, of course, this created additional tasks. Like painting the cabin, deck, and non-skid. Have you removed your winches and handrails?! The holding tank is not as bad, just a lot of measuring and fitting to get a rectangular tank into a hole that defies description. Yes, they make tanks of all shapes and sizes but none that fit any better than the one I selected. I threw away more cardboard templates than you can imagine.
Moral? Buy the boat finished!Up grading Hunter 430 1996
Since I took possesion of our Hunter 430 we have added auto pilot, Radar, and a laptop chart plotter, all for night sailing and going down island in the Caribbean. We have also added a larger inverter this year, trying to get continuous running of the Refers. We went to 2500 but still can not run them all the time we are out. We can run them when the engin is running now, along with the generator time for the batteries. We have added plastic covers on stays, 150 feet of anchor chain, covers for all the windows to protect them in the summer from the heat down here. We have a sun flexible generator, as the original has failed and can not be replaced to size, we use this for a trickle charge while the boat is in dry dock. We have also added a new Eperb, for down island trips. Also we added Davits for our dingy for the longer trips. Its a real pain when that painter breaks at night. We have also added a drop down boot with lazy jacks, you have to keep the wind on center to clear the jacks even though I have them spread out on the first set of spreaders. I guess that is the main items we have added in the last two years.
Since I took possesion of our Hunter 430 we have added auto pilot, Radar, and a laptop chart plotter, all for night sailing and going down island in the Caribbean. We have also added a larger inverter this year, trying to get continuous running of the Refers. We went to 2500 but still can not run them all the time we are out. We can run them when the engin is running now, along with the generator time for the batteries. We have added plastic covers on stays, 150 feet of anchor chain, covers for all the windows to protect them in the summer from the heat down here. We have a sun flexible generator, as the original has failed and can not be replaced to size, we use this for a trickle charge while the boat is in dry dock. We have also added a new Eperb, for down island trips. Also we added Davits for our dingy for the longer trips. Its a real pain when that painter breaks at night. We have also added a drop down boot with lazy jacks, you have to keep the wind on center to clear the jacks even though I have them spread out on the first set of spreaders. I guess that is the main items we have added in the last two years.
320 came with just about all!
The Sail Place in Cedar Springs had the 320 with just about every option we needed for our cruising style when we purchased in 1998. Options purchased with the boat were Dodger and sail cover, over sized wheel, electronics at the helm. Other than that we were set with the standard sail configuration and interior package. We did add radar and a held hand GPS. This boat has been all over Lake Michigan and what we bought we needed.
The Sail Place in Cedar Springs had the 320 with just about every option we needed for our cruising style when we purchased in 1998. Options purchased with the boat were Dodger and sail cover, over sized wheel, electronics at the helm. Other than that we were set with the standard sail configuration and interior package. We did add radar and a held hand GPS. This boat has been all over Lake Michigan and what we bought we needed.
Joys of an Almost New Boat
When we purchased our boat in 1998, it was two years old. The original owner had added few if any extras (not even a name)beyond the factory options (e.g. cushions, generator, A/C etc) We felt (and still do) that we were getting a virtually new boat at a great price. The advantages of a stock boat are you get to outfit it exactly to your standards - the right type of auto pilot, the "right" size and location of radar, your kind of anchor, the "correct" spinacker and hardware, a dingy and motor that meets your needs, etc. etc. You don't have to undo what previous owners might have done. The disadvantage is all the toys and instalation add up to alot of time, research and money, but they sure add to the fun. Peter Milne S/V Blue Heron
When we purchased our boat in 1998, it was two years old. The original owner had added few if any extras (not even a name)beyond the factory options (e.g. cushions, generator, A/C etc) We felt (and still do) that we were getting a virtually new boat at a great price. The advantages of a stock boat are you get to outfit it exactly to your standards - the right type of auto pilot, the "right" size and location of radar, your kind of anchor, the "correct" spinacker and hardware, a dingy and motor that meets your needs, etc. etc. You don't have to undo what previous owners might have done. The disadvantage is all the toys and instalation add up to alot of time, research and money, but they sure add to the fun. Peter Milne S/V Blue Heron
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