Favorite Mods

[Stu Jackson]

One of the points Maine Sail has made regarding electronic stuff is to never buy it yourself and give to someone who will install it. It's like the syndrome in my earlier post, who takes overall responsibility if a failure occurs? Either have the installer buy it and "own" it, or DIY, which is always a LOT more fun and a great learning experience.

Hope the build is going well.

 

[Kings Gambit]

Is there an ice-cube maker?

 

[CaptainSV-SecondStar]

You've got a great start on your own and others have already provided a lot of great input. I'd second most all of them (radar, bow thruster, sea water anchor washdown, helm anchor remote/switch, cabin fans, dc outlet near the helm, ss arch, etc.) and add a Filter Boss system (and if you have a second fuel tank, the ability to transfer fuel with the system) which I believe you are already planning to add.

 

[NiceBeny]

what kind of antenna do you use with it?

 

[NiceBeny]

have them put in LED lights where ever they can to save power when at anchor.

 

[Gunni]

A full rub rail is needed to protect you from all the piles and fixed docks of the Chesapeake. But the Beneteau factory option is cheesy. Talk to Buster Phipps at Phipps Boat Works down at Herrington North. He is a 4th generation boat wright with a fine craftsman's eye. He has a gorgeous solution. Pricy, but you will wish you had one the first time you take gelcoat off the topsides of your new baby.

 

[SteveInMD]

Lots of great suggestions here - thank you! I'm headed to Marion, SC to tour the factory and hopefully see the boat in production on Tuesday.

 

[Full Circle 473]

Go with the higher volume water heater and higher output engine. With family onboard, you can't have enough hot water. Higher hp engine should be more reliable in the long run due to less stress, given all other factors are equal.

 

[JamesG161]

I had a wish list and so did the original owner 10+ years ago. My super stereo system with speakers (4 well placed speakers) has a CD Player for music.
The world is moving fast for pleasure electronics/TV etc. Wireless is now prevalent.
Comfort for you sailing style.
Radar for you sailing safety. I thought at first this as over blown, but radar (at military level of 10 yrs ago) is almost 3D today.

iPad for repeater stations is dual purpose.
Jim...

 

[Ron20324]

I'm headed to Marion, SC to tour the factory and hopefully see the boat in production on Tuesday.

It seems the hardest thing to replace is the decal/name plates. I'd try to get them while you are there, and save for future use.

 

[SettleMeDown]

Sound! Our 473 came with the cheesiest system I ever heard. Sounded like a 1942 AM radio. Our upgraded sound system is amazing and you should make sure yours is too. After all, why do we go through the water without engines? Very important to have full control from the cockpit as well as down below. Congrats on the new boat!

 

[JohnShannon]

AIS so you can better see them, AIS B if you have more budget so they can better see you. Remote mic for the VHF in the cockpit so you can be heard, much better than a handheld.

 

[JoeRickard]

Production of my Oceanis 45 is scheduled to start very soon in Marion, SC. I'm having the dealer add some features but I'm wondering what I'm missing. I'm adding a washdown system at the bow, cabin fans, battery monitoring system, fresh water head flushing, galvanic isolator, 12 volt outlets, and a hand rail along main salon ceiling. What are some of your favorite additions you have made to your Beneteau that I should consider adding?

I made a modification to my Oceanis 45 (Adattare), adding drain hoses from the cockpit table coolers, running out to to the life raft storage area by the transom. Now when I entertain, the floor is not wet with ice melt!

 

[Twidget]

I made a modification to my Oceanis 45 (Adattare), adding drain hoses from the cockpit table coolers, running out to to the life raft storage area by the transom. Now when I entertain, the floor is not wet with ice melt!

I like that idea.
How did you run the hoses to the life raft storage area?

 

[Ron20324]

[QUOTE="...adding drain hoses from the cockpit table coolers, running out to to the life raft storage area by the transom. Now when I entertain, the floor is not wet with ice melt![/QUOTE]

Amen, Joe. In Feb I had a moorings Beneteau 41.1, and the melted water was all over the cockpit floor.

 

[Gunni]

Those cockpit table tubs are not coolers, they have no insulation whatsoever. I'm pretty sure they were designed to hold the Beaujolais and a couple of wine cups! On our boat they hold a bottle of deck cleaner, a brush and rag. We lash a soft cooler to the sugar scoop for cold beverages where it drains direct to the water.