What's the best improvement you've made to your boat? Maybe you've added roller furling to your headsail? Perhaps you rerouted your halyards or reef lines back to the cockpit? Have you added some important electronics like radar or GPS to your arsenal? Or did you rig up a slick mast raising system or new trailer bunks? Then again, perhaps the best improvement you've made is to learn how to sail her better! Share your best improvement stories then vote in the Quick Quiz on the bottom of the home page. (Quiz contributed by Gary Wyngarden based on a suggestion by Tony Russell)
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Strengthened hull!
My Venture 222 had weak hull spots in a few places! You could actually push in on the fiberglass! I made 2X2 ribbing, shaping it to the proper shapes, and then fiberglassed them in thoughout the inner hull. Wow what a difference! You can not push any place in on the hull now, its like new! The 2X2s, barely added any noticable weight, and really it is probably stonger than when new! Also they take up no noticable space, due to their respective locations! I have heard others complain about weak hull areas as well, so my advice, simply add a few ribs!
My Venture 222 had weak hull spots in a few places! You could actually push in on the fiberglass! I made 2X2 ribbing, shaping it to the proper shapes, and then fiberglassed them in thoughout the inner hull. Wow what a difference! You can not push any place in on the hull now, its like new! The 2X2s, barely added any noticable weight, and really it is probably stonger than when new! Also they take up no noticable space, due to their respective locations! I have heard others complain about weak hull areas as well, so my advice, simply add a few ribs!
I had a similar experience with 23' kells
I bought a 23' kells swing keel a few years ago that my wife and I loved. The bow deck are had a spongy feel due to core mush. I tried the drill and fill technique, but wasn't too thrilled with the result. I finally went down to a local high end lumber yard and bought some teak boards. I cut them down on a table saw, routed the edges and fastened the strips with thru bolts to the deck area. It made for a very pretty and classy appearance while adding strength at the same time.
I bought a 23' kells swing keel a few years ago that my wife and I loved. The bow deck are had a spongy feel due to core mush. I tried the drill and fill technique, but wasn't too thrilled with the result. I finally went down to a local high end lumber yard and bought some teak boards. I cut them down on a table saw, routed the edges and fastened the strips with thru bolts to the deck area. It made for a very pretty and classy appearance while adding strength at the same time.
Engine Blower
Best Improvement - Adding power blowers in the engine compartment to exhaust all smells and keep the engine running cooler.
Best Improvement - Adding power blowers in the engine compartment to exhaust all smells and keep the engine running cooler.
I added three (3) Arco M-55 solar panels and regulator on a multi-purpose stern rail frame. This keeps my batteries charged through most situations, provides mounts for antennas, life rings, barbeque, etc.
O'Day Improvement
I have a 17' 1973 O'Day Daysailor. I installed a mainsheet traveler system across the seats and supported off the original block attachment on the centerboard trunk. It's a simple slotted track and slide which I attach my 4:1 purchase mainsheet fiddle blocks with cam cleat. Keeping the main flat has improved the handling 200%.
I have a 17' 1973 O'Day Daysailor. I installed a mainsheet traveler system across the seats and supported off the original block attachment on the centerboard trunk. It's a simple slotted track and slide which I attach my 4:1 purchase mainsheet fiddle blocks with cam cleat. Keeping the main flat has improved the handling 200%.
Biggest Improvement
By far the biggest improvement has been the addition of an autopilot. We chose the Simrad WP-30 and after the first year of use couldn't be happier. Installation was very simple and everything worked as advertised. The unit comes complete, the only thing we changed was to use a larger electrical bus for the hookups.
By far the biggest improvement has been the addition of an autopilot. We chose the Simrad WP-30 and after the first year of use couldn't be happier. Installation was very simple and everything worked as advertised. The unit comes complete, the only thing we changed was to use a larger electrical bus for the hookups.
Set up for single-handing
I put roller furling and a tiller tamer on my Oday 23. Single-handing is now a pleasure. No more trips to the foredeck, and I can set the helm to "self-steer" for short periods while I raise the main, tap a kidney, use the binoculars, or have a sandwich.
I put roller furling and a tiller tamer on my Oday 23. Single-handing is now a pleasure. No more trips to the foredeck, and I can set the helm to "self-steer" for short periods while I raise the main, tap a kidney, use the binoculars, or have a sandwich.
Comfort
I would have to say my air conditioner. Used only at the dock, but has allowed me to spend more time on the boat during hot humid nights or cold clamy nights. More time on the boat means more time to take care of all those other important tasks, like keeping her clean.
I would have to say my air conditioner. Used only at the dock, but has allowed me to spend more time on the boat during hot humid nights or cold clamy nights. More time on the boat means more time to take care of all those other important tasks, like keeping her clean.
Refrigerator Insulation. . .
. . . and I mean real good insulation (not vacuum plates, though, too expensive and fragile). I use ice and it lasts a week, electricity cost nothing.
. . . and I mean real good insulation (not vacuum plates, though, too expensive and fragile). I use ice and it lasts a week, electricity cost nothing.
Halyards To Cockpit (25Mac)
Without quibble moving the halyards to the cockpit. I am too old and wobbly to be standing on a pitching cabintop to raise or lower the sails. Why Macgregor skimped and had the sheets terminate on cleats on the mast is beyond me.
Without quibble moving the halyards to the cockpit. I am too old and wobbly to be standing on a pitching cabintop to raise or lower the sails. Why Macgregor skimped and had the sheets terminate on cleats on the mast is beyond me.
Attachments
Sail and prop.
I enjoyed single-handing our H340. The two most worthwhile additions were: Batcar/track system for the mainsail. Made sail handling a snap. Easy to single hand hoist and reef on any point of sail. 3 bladed feathering prop. Primarily for ease in docking/manuvering. 90% efficient in reverse so the boat stops on a dime and does not prop walk. Now have a H426 on order, hope to set that boat up for possible single-handing also. We'll see.
I enjoyed single-handing our H340. The two most worthwhile additions were: Batcar/track system for the mainsail. Made sail handling a snap. Easy to single hand hoist and reef on any point of sail. 3 bladed feathering prop. Primarily for ease in docking/manuvering. 90% efficient in reverse so the boat stops on a dime and does not prop walk. Now have a H426 on order, hope to set that boat up for possible single-handing also. We'll see.
Added a wind instrument
Best improvement was adding a wind instrument. Great in light winds. Second best improvement was a thermoelectric frig. It is great!!!Converted the ice chest into a storage compartment
Best improvement was adding a wind instrument. Great in light winds. Second best improvement was a thermoelectric frig. It is great!!!Converted the ice chest into a storage compartment
Strong Track for Full Batten Main Rigged Hunters
Added a Stong Track system to our 460. Any recent large Hunter with full batten main should evaluate this or other similar systems. I can pull sail almost all the way up by hand by pulling on the halyard where it exits the mast and use the power winch to finish adjusting the tendion on the main luff. My wife and I were able to install the system on the boat and change the slugs while the sail was still installed on the boat in less than 1 hour. Cost for a 450 0r 460 about $1500.
Added a Stong Track system to our 460. Any recent large Hunter with full batten main should evaluate this or other similar systems. I can pull sail almost all the way up by hand by pulling on the halyard where it exits the mast and use the power winch to finish adjusting the tendion on the main luff. My wife and I were able to install the system on the boat and change the slugs while the sail was still installed on the boat in less than 1 hour. Cost for a 450 0r 460 about $1500.
Stern seats and roller furling
For pleasure I put stern seats on my San juan 23. managed to use ones designed for a Precision 21. For safty and ease of use roller furling is also great
For pleasure I put stern seats on my San juan 23. managed to use ones designed for a Precision 21. For safty and ease of use roller furling is also great
Inner Forestay
With RF staysail, tracks, extra winches and running backstays it was expensive but worth every penny. Our Scanmar AutoMelm windvane with accessory rudder is a close second. Wouldn't venture more than 200 miles offshore without either one of these. Flying Dutchman "Rivendel II" (Legend 43)
With RF staysail, tracks, extra winches and running backstays it was expensive but worth every penny. Our Scanmar AutoMelm windvane with accessory rudder is a close second. Wouldn't venture more than 200 miles offshore without either one of these. Flying Dutchman "Rivendel II" (Legend 43)
Ditto on Strong Track
I agree with Robert Polk on the Strong Sail Track system. I installed it on my 78h30 this past year and it is simply the best upgrade I've done -- including a repowering in 2001. I agree with everything he said and anyone without one should certainly look into it.
I agree with Robert Polk on the Strong Sail Track system. I installed it on my 78h30 this past year and it is simply the best upgrade I've done -- including a repowering in 2001. I agree with everything he said and anyone without one should certainly look into it.
Re-wired and moved the breaker box
Dealing with a 22 year old boat (1981 Hunter 33) there's always something being replaced (thus far it's been updated instruments, new hot water heater, new engine, replaced portlights, etc) the biggest "improvement" was in the course of re-wiring I moved the breaker box from foot level, accessible only while on your knees, to shoulder level (different location) accessible while standing up! And then adding LEDs to see at a glance what's on and what's not and should be <g>.
Dealing with a 22 year old boat (1981 Hunter 33) there's always something being replaced (thus far it's been updated instruments, new hot water heater, new engine, replaced portlights, etc) the biggest "improvement" was in the course of re-wiring I moved the breaker box from foot level, accessible only while on your knees, to shoulder level (different location) accessible while standing up! And then adding LEDs to see at a glance what's on and what's not and should be <g>.
Simrad below deck autopilot
Hope had roller furler when I bought her and I can't imagine sailing a 38 short/single handed without it. The Simrad below deck AP22 is the nicest upgrade I have done. It will steer the boat in ALL CONDITIONS, ALL THE TIME. I find that I use it 80% of the time now.
Hope had roller furler when I bought her and I can't imagine sailing a 38 short/single handed without it. The Simrad below deck AP22 is the nicest upgrade I have done. It will steer the boat in ALL CONDITIONS, ALL THE TIME. I find that I use it 80% of the time now.
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