Most improved

[Brian Gilbert]

It would have to be the new interior

Since my boat was a wreck when I started, there are dozens of improvements. But the most dramatic has to be the new interior... new paint, woodwork, cushions, and wiring make it possible to be below in this boat, where before it was so gross that you couldn't be below for more than two minutes before coming up for air.Brian Gilbert'72 V222 "Fluke"www.sailingsmall.com

 

[Dave]

Genoa Track

I Finally installed Genoa Tracks on Talisman along with a new 130. Balanced her out nicely, and such a pleasure to sail with the CDI Furler!

 

[Bill O'Donovan]

Spinnaker pole & storage

I perfected a an 8-foot spinnaker bowsprit for my 29.5 Hunter (detals and pix available). Ran the tack line down the starboard side in the rollerfurling leads, then bought three Clear Step leads for the furler. Thus the tack line is permanent. Then removed the shelf below the forward berth and built a wider shelf to hold the spinnaker when it drops through the portal.

 

[Steve Weinstein]

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>.

 

[Mike]

multiples: autohelm and added square footage!

Most convenient addition: Raymarine autohelm with remote below. Cheapest change: put simple hose clamp on mast pole below so i can raise, then turn my table over the forward seats, thus clearing the whole floor for moving around, effectively adding square footage. Runner up: Installed Batstat 300 at helm that alarms when battery condition or charging is going headed for trouble. simple.

 

[Cathy Alcorn]

Best of the best...

Our boat suffered from some benign neglect when we bought her so the first good scrubbing and polishing did wonders as did replacement of a number of tired and worn items such as the running rigging and all deck line. Probably the biggest improvement in terms of convenience was the replacement of the old lifelines and the addition of boarding gates on both sides of the boat. We have a few years worth of projects left to go to get her into the shape that we want her and it sure is nice not to have to heave all the working and project materials over the lifelines both coming and going.Cathy AlcornS/V Andante Wauquiez G-33

 

[Gary]

Spinnaker

We added a cruising spinnaker and it's a big help in light air on long runs.

 

[John Kudera]

Heat and A/C

Adding the heat and A/C has been the best!

 

[LaDonna Bubak - CatalinaOwners.com]

Hard to chose one

I've made so many improvements that it's hard to pick just one. I really like the Origo 6000 and am proud of the installation job. The paint job looks good but was a PITA & I'd never do it again!I guess it'd have to be the new Honda with cockpit controls. Makes it almost like an inboard but leaves all the storage space. LaDonna

 

[Ed Schenck]

By the numbers:

1) Simrad WP30 autohelm2) North mainsail3) Lee Sails jib4) Nexus instruments5) Mermaid A/C and heat6) Ten NFM bronze portlightsAll over a four year period(took me that long to install the portlights!)And for 2003: windlass and radar.Way too much money to spend on an old boat!

 

[Fred Hensley]

traveler

Installed cross cockpit traveler just aft of companionway. Much better control of main

 

[Steve Dion]

Top Improvements

1. Refrigeration - cold beer when you arrive on Friday evening is VERY nice.2. Dodger - We use the dodger in the off season to help keep the interior dry when it is raining out and keeps us warm if we go for a sail or a little motor trip.3. Autopilot - It is a life saver when you need to travel for 6-10 hours straight.4. Dutchman - Have had a Dutchman system since 1988 and wouldn't consider a boat without one.

 

[J J Larsen]

best improvement

After numerous attempts on my part met with failure, I turned to the pros.A totally new holding tank system was installed.My wife was happy, my crew was happy, I am happy and my Hunter Cutter sails along happily.Oh yes, I added GPS, revamped engine and Lazy Jacks but they cannot add up to an oderless Head.

 

[Ron Weiss]

Full Batten Main Sail

I feel that the full batten main sail has added a new dimension to sailing on Lake Michigan. I am now having more fun in different wind conditions because of the control that this sail gives me.

 

[Andrew Harvilla]

Best Improvements

My boat is a 1986 Catlina 30, purchased in 1999.I added a windlass that is controlled by a wireless handheld unit. I couldn't find a wireless unit offered by any marine manufacturer, so I rigged it by purchasing an automotive wireless door lock kit and wired it to control the windlass through it soleniod. Lock lowers the anchor, and Unlock raises it.This is the same unit you would use on your car. As a backup i also installed a "wired" remote.I am a cruier who likes convenience. Other features on my I installed since purchase to add to my cruising pleasure:3 Blade Max-Prop, Single Line Roller Furling upgrade from Hood 810 Loop System,Four 6 volt batteries wired in 2 bank series to replace 2 12 volt batteries, Stripped the Gelcoat Bottom and replaced with Interlux Epoxy Bottom, Retractable Lazy Jack System, Solid Boom Vang,Radar, Computer with electronic charts, GPS Inerface into AutoPilot, Radar and Computer Charts, Handheld remote for Autopilot, Teak Cockpit Table, Engine Crankcase breather is now vented into air cleaner, Single line reefing system, and All controls are routed to cockpit. A Problem Fixed: The cover under my Wheel Helm used to leak into the aft berth. I built an internal dam and installed drain thru the wall behind the aft berth.

 

[Barry]

improvements

This is on a 1975 Hunter 30 with keel stepped mast.Cleaned the diesel odor,(previous owner had a spill)new cushions in the cabinnew battery banks, originally had one , now have two all purpose, and am going to upgrade to two gellsvarnish all interior teak, )looks great)new two burner stove with cutting board top, wish I had gone with propane instead of alcohol, works great though, just takes longernew vhfnew main covernew fresh water pumpam preparing to paint the topsides, the gelcoat is deadand most importantly, rebuilt the base of the mast which had corroded. I had a new step, and a three foot sleeve put in the base of the mast.i love the boat, wife wants me to sell. I can't let go. the cost of a psychiatrist would be more than the cost of the boat.Barry

 

[Doyle Gougler]

New Bottom Job

The fresh water algae and other crud had built up so badly after five years on my deep-keel Ericson 25+ that the bottom felt like outdoor carpet. That's when I hauled it and scraped, sanded and applied two coats of anti-fouling paint. Lots of hard work and expense, but it's amazing how much easier the boat now slips through the water.

 

[Dave Charles]

best improvements

aside from sandblasting the trailer and repainting it, added aluminum backing plates under all the stanchion mounts, re-did all the teak (brightwork), rewired and replaced switch panel, redesigned the outboard motor mount, put in all new lifelines, installed Teflon strips under companion-way cover (slides smoother), re-attached bilge-pump to a stainless base plate along with the float switch, and taught my wife how to rig the boat so we could sail that much sooner. Isn't that what it's all about?

 

[Fred Scott]

Comfort is the best thing I did to my Mac 26X

I do not have a furling but have all the equipment to handle the sails installed that make sailing real easy for single handling. Then for extended cruising I installed items for comfort such as making the forward berth larger and doubling the mattress thicknes and every one that sails with me likes what I did.I can still raise the mast by myself at 75 never a problem.Sail big on a small sailboatFred Scott "LADY Vi"

 

[TED JENSEN]

windlass, roller furling....

new refer, and a ssb. by far the best item (according to my wife) was the electric windlass