upgrade project list

Jan 12, 2011
930
Hunter 410 full time cruiser
I always maintain a boat upgrade list. These just come about when I'm on the boat when I realize I've thought to myself "it would be nice to have ......." more than once.

I wonder how others come about theirs and whether it looks anything like the things that sound worthwhile to me. So mine currently has the below items on it:

wind instrument
cabin heater
folding helm wheel
electric aft head
water maker
whisker pole
Honda generator
TV
better shower sump pump
better mattress

How many want the same items or already have them? Is there something along these lines that you have installed that worth it to you?
 
Jul 27, 2013
298
Hunter 37.5 1065 Rock Hall, MD
For wind instrument, I use a handheld kestrel i find that sailing by boat feel and reefing according to conditions rather than absolute value of wind speed is better for me. I didn't want to run cable, and have something else to deal with.

When it's cold, we wear sweats and use comforters, and get real close.
I decided against an electric head for two reasons: i would always need power to flush and i want a choice of fresh water use or raw water use.

TV: we use ipad or laptop for movies, etc. I plug the headphone port into the stereo for surround sound. I didn't want to clutter the boat with TV and have to worry about power.

The generator......too much to deal with.

Matress....i fantasize about a memory foam like at home.

What I added to my boat:
12 volt fridge.
Cpt autopilot.
Replaced all lights with LED for power conservation.
Added an extra house battery.

My punch list:
Solar panels and mppt controllers.
AIS

Ben
 
Jan 12, 2011
930
Hunter 410 full time cruiser
I should have said that the upgrade list should be viewed as setting up for cruising life, which is different than sailing life. Currently I feel off my list the mattress is the most important and heat the second (days of being cold do not make for a good life on the boat)
 
Apr 19, 2012
1,043
O'Day Daysailor 17 Nevis MN
We hope to get a bigger boat for retirement in 2-1/2 years. Until then we're enjoying our 26' trailerable and we have an upgrade/repair list for it. When we get the bigger boat I'm sure we'll have an even longer list for it.

Every time my wife and I take the boat out we add to the list. At one time the list grew to be 4 pages long. For a while it seemed that for every item we cross off the list we added two more. Then just before Labor Day weekend we had a "List Burning Celebration!" Of course we expected to create a new list over the long weekend, and we did, but it sure felt good to be caught up for a few days.

Our new list only included a few small items like adding two more cam cleats and replacing the trailer winch. The only thing left on the list is upgrading the steps to make it easier for our golden retriever to use them. We're thinking of going camping this weekend and, though it won't be quite as dramatic as the last time, I hope to have another list buring celebration then.
 
Jun 8, 2004
2,962
Catalina 320 Dana Point
wind instrument - Both my neck and I love it, love it on dark nights.
cabin heater - a "Little Buddy" to take the chill off in mid winter, next boat will need to have something better.
folding helm wheel - Clearance issues with instrument pod and WP would make this an issue on my boat
electric aft head - new Raritan manual, I like the idea of electrics
water maker - Too much maintenance for my coastal use
whisker pole - Forespar, stanchion mounted
Honda generator - EU 2000 companion model
TV - 12 volt with DVD
better shower sump pump - added downspout on pick-up, sucks it dry now
better mattress - Wife uses memory foam, if I was sure I wasn't gonna change boats in near future I'd have some custom mattresses made.
BTW, I'm near San Diego, if I was near Salem that forced air heater would be number one with a bullet.:D
 
Jun 4, 2004
1,087
Mainship Piliot 34 Punta Gorda
Don, I would nix the water maker unless you plan to be in remote areas for weeks at a time. You carry a lot of water and water makers require a lot of maintenance and not worth the cost even if you have to buy water once in a while.
Honda generators are the economical way to go but I bit the bullet and installed a diesel. I didn't want to deal with lugging the portable generator out every time at anchor.
I did buy a whisker pole but it is so big and unyielding I don't even keep it on the boat.

My list at this point is maintenance stuff like life lines and standing rigging....plus a new mattress. I want one that folds! I am sick and tired of lifting the rear mattress to access the storage and valves.
 

FrankT

.
Jun 11, 2004
37
Hunter 410 middle river, md
Don
A few ideas
Frank

Feathering Prop
Anchor wash
Invertor
Honda 2000
TV & cabin fans
Hinged access door for easy thru- hull access under aft berth

Companion way doors
AIS
Kato lift for dink motor
Cockpit enclosure
C90W Chartplotter / Radar
AGM’s
Second Bilge pump & alarm
Drinking water filter & spigot
Split anchor well to accommodate second rode
12 v outlet at Helm
LED’s Cabin, Anchor, Bow & Stern
 
Mar 20, 2012
3,983
Cal 34-III, MacGregor 25 Salem, Oregon
i think there are actually very few boat owners that doesnt have a project/upgrade list, either on paper or in their head.
but everyones list will be different, from vastly to slightly, because everyones boat is set up differently and everyone has a different idea of what they would like to add or remove from their boat.
sometimes the different brands and options available on/in a component will dictate how much of a change the upgrade will be/could be done at the time of install.....

as the previous replys to your original post has shown, not everyone would do as you want to do, not that there is anything wrong with you doing what you want, but other people have different thoughts, for whatever reason..... experience (sometimes lack of), personal preference and room available on the boat are the main reasons...

only you know how you actually use the boat, but always keep in mind that everything is a trade off, so the more systems/stuff you add to the boat, the more complicated and expensive the boat becomes to enjoy and maintain... and some systems are unreasonably expensive and very unnecessary for a coastal cruiser or marina hopper, such as a water maker, whereas a good mattress, tv/stereo, whisker pole, heater AND good boat ventilation are nearly essential things (in addition to many others) to have for comfortable year'round use.

the honda generator is not a necessary item.
think inverter... you and your boat would be much better served with a properly sized solar array, battery bank and inverter..... about the same cost, probably longer life, MUCH less maintenance and lower operating costs (never having to touch it, refill it, change the oil, worry about CO poisoning and noise) and its very up-gradable to more power when and if you ever need it. a thoughtful install should allow 20+years life expectancy from it.

the whisker pole is something that should not be considered as an upgrade but should be a part of the sailboat gear the same as a winch handle, halyard, compass, sails, ect.... it should already be in inventory.

and as far as your short list of upgrades go, you have not mentioned rebedding any hardware, upgrading/cleaning the winches, upgrading/adding anchors, changing any rodes, lines or rigging (other than adding a whisker pole), adding to or upgrading the interior/exterior upholstery/canvas work (cushions,dodger,bimini)....... maybe this stuff is all good already and needs nothing done to it, which is a good thing.
more properly, all this may fall under "boat maintenance" for some, but rebedding the deck hardware is more of an upgrade to me, than is adding a tv. and more important.

almost always, the tv/stereo/mattress and other comforts will add no actual cash value to the boat because as the boat ages, the other stuff ages at a MUCH MUCH faster rate (but it does add comfort).
proper and timely boat maintenance and working/sailing function upgrades almost always do add value... or at the very least, it keeps the boat from depreciating as quickly.

so, as you add upgrades and comforts, you can build for the long haul and try to maintain as much value in the boat as possible by balancing the the additions of the "creature comforts" along with the addition/upgrade of gear and maintenance:D
 
Last edited:
Feb 6, 1998
11,715
Canadian Sailcraft 36T Casco Bay, ME
How many want the same items or already have them? Is there something along these lines that you have installed that worth it to you?

From your list.

wind instrument - Have one, love it

cabin heater - Have one would not be without it in Maine. Was just running it an hour ago. Espar diesel forced hot air type.

folding helm wheel - Have one, love it, would not own a boat without one that could benefit from one..

electric aft head - Don't personally like in two heads on sub 50' vessels. Would not have one unless I converted it to storage, as many cruisers I know have done.. Also not a big fan of electric heads. I fix far too many of them. If going electric head choose wisely because there are good ones and bad ones....

water maker - Unless you are going to areas where water is scarce then these can be hit or miss. I highly recommend Rich Boren at Cruise RO Water if going the water maker route. He is a full time live-a-board cruiser and knows how it really is.... Stay away from systems that use "proprietary parts"... I have one customer who used it so little he yanked it. Another one needs a membrane after just four years. I think Tim R., another member here, is also due for a membrane but don't know how many gallons he's done.. Also be sure you have the energy means to drive one and pay very, very good attention to the installation and be 100% sure you leave good serviceability access.. Far too many H20 makers are installed in such a manner that it makes servicing nearly impossible. They DO need servicing!

whisker pole - How do you not already have one? I love ours but to be honest we rarely use it in Maine because the wind is so rarely at our backs for a long enough duration. If heading off cruising it would be there!

Honda generator - Own one, EU2000, love it, but it will NEVER, EVER COME ABOARD OUR BOAT for cruising! Obnoxious does not even begin to sum up my distaste for them used on boats and our boat is self sustainable, which is not difficult to achieve...

TV - Have one and regret every second of ever installing it.... Useless as tits on a bull for us, but we don't have cable TV either....;) A few weeks after I installed it for our daughter iPads came out.. She now has no use for the TV on the boat and my wife and I even less. D'oh...... I think it was turned on once this year during a rainy foggy day at Isle Au Haut. Some Disney movie... Course I don't watch any professional sports and many do... YMMV....

better shower sump pump - Look into a Jabsco electric diaphragm waste pump or the Whale Gulper pump. We use a diaphragm waste pump for the shower and it has been the best shower head sump we've used.

better mattress - A good mattress is some of the best money you will spend. Had one on the last boat and it is on our list. Portland Mattress Makers is excellent.
 
Jan 22, 2008
320
Hunter 29.5 Gloucester, VA
We have added or upgraded:
LED Lights, full interior
Victron Battery Monitor
SCAD Tank Monitoring for Fuel, Waste and Fresh Water
Stereo Remoted to helm
X-5 Autopilot
Folding Wheel
3000W inverter
Wind speed/direction, depth instruments
Full shade/rain cover from bow back to Bimini
 
Jan 12, 2011
930
Hunter 410 full time cruiser
From your list.

wind instrument - Have one, love it had one on my last boat but only the speed worked. having now sailed for 7 years and never having one it is only a wish as I know it isn't a need

cabin heater - Have one would not be without it in Maine. Was just running it an hour ago. Espar diesel forced hot air type. The heater probably is a must have for long term as it gets to freezing even in Florida

folding helm wheel - Have one, love it, would not own a boat without one that could benefit from one.. while it sounds crazy I really believe one would be great

electric aft head - Don't personally like in two heads on sub 50' vessels. Would not have one unless I converted it to storage, as many cruisers I know have done.. Also not a big fan of electric heads. I fix far too many of them. If going electric head choose wisely because there are good ones and bad ones.... why I only said the aft head as that leaves the front manual. BVut my last boat had only an electric hhead and it never failed (and it was 20 years old)

water maker - Unless you are going to areas where water is scarce then these can be hit or miss. I highly recommend Rich Boren at Cruise RO Water if going the water maker route. He is a full time live-a-board cruiser and knows how it really is.... Stay away from systems that use "proprietary parts"... I have one customer who used it so little he yanked it. Another one needs a membrane after just four years. I think Tim R., another member here, is also due for a membrane but don't know how many gallons he's done.. Also be sure you have the energy means to drive one and pay very, very good attention to the installation and be 100% sure you leave good serviceability access.. Far too many H20 makers are installed in such a manner that it makes servicing nearly impossible. They DO need servicing! agree

whisker pole - How do you not already have one? I love ours but to be honest we rarely use it in Maine because the wind is so rarely at our backs for a long enough duration. If heading off cruising it would be there! - same reason I don't have one as so far it has been better to just turn off the wind more. I find I wish for it most when the winds are on the light side for even putting the spinnaker up and the seas are bouncing the boat so much that I can not keep the sail full. For the most part that is also the same time it is to give up on the sails and turn the engine on.

Honda generator - Own one, EU2000, love it, but it will NEVER, EVER COME ABOARD OUR BOAT for cruising! Obnoxious does not even begin to sum up my distaste for them used on boats and our boat is self sustainable, which is not difficult to achieve... it really is just for the watermaker and hot water

TV - Have one and regret every second of ever installing it.... Useless as tits on a bull for us, but we don't have cable TV either....;) A few weeks after I installed it for our daughter iPads came out.. She now has no use for the TV on the boat and my wife and I even less. D'oh...... I think it was turned on once this year during a rainy foggy day at Isle Au Haut. Some Disney movie... Course I don't watch any professional sports and many do... YMMV.... just an unknown as I don't know how many books I can play or card games I can play

better shower sump pump - Look into a Jabsco electric diaphragm waste pump or the Whale Gulper pump. We use a diaphragm waste pump for the shower and it has been the best shower head sump we've used. the diaphragm pump is my though as like a dry bilge and most of the water that gets in it is when the shower sump strainer clogs up with hair

better mattress - A good mattress is some of the best money you will spend. Had one on the last boat and it is on our list. Portland Mattress Makers is excellent.
probably the most underrated upgrade for any boat
There is a reason these items stay on the list and don't get done. It is because I can easily talk myself into and old of them (the TV is a very recent addition to the list)
 
Jan 26, 2009
100
HUNTER 340 Raritan Yacht Club
Solar...mppt

For wind instrument, I use a handheld kestrel i find that sailing by boat feel and reefing according to conditions rather than absolute value of wind speed is better for me. I didn't want to run cable, and have something else to deal with.

When it's cold, we wear sweats and use comforters, and get real close.
I decided against an electric head for two reasons: i would always need power to flush and i want a choice of fresh water use or raw water use.

TV: we use ipad or laptop for movies, etc. I plug the headphone port into the stereo for surround sound. I didn't want to clutter the boat with TV and have to worry about power.

The generator......too much to deal with.

Matress....i fantasize about a memory foam like at home.

What I added to my boat:
12 volt fridge.
Cpt autopilot.
Replaced all lights with LED for power conservation.
Added an extra house battery.

My punch list:
Solar panels and mppt controllers.
AIS

Ben
When you do your PUNCH LIST check out Compass Marine How To Articles on solar/controllers.
 
Jul 28, 2012
79
Hunter 410 San Blas,Mexico
I have a similar list for our H410
From your list:
- I have purchased the Honda 2000 generator, the TV and I am installing the electric head now.
- The heater I have taken out because I moving our boat to Mexico from the West Coast of Canada, but I am leaving in the diesel fireplace bulkhead heater. The Espar heater which made the whole boat toasty even in winter maybe replaced by a/c. The Espar is for sale.
- Water maker is a on my list, too. There is plenty of good water here, but it might be useful in Mexico.
- I am opting for a quick release nut as opposed folding wheel.
- New mattress is a consideration
In addition we added a ice maker, a Keurig coffee maker, food vacuum saver and all new rigging.,

A want for me, is a more efficient refrigeration unit.

My wife's want list a bath tub and a boat boy to polish and clean
 

4arch

.
Jun 29, 2010
101
Beneteau Oceanis 400 Baltimore
The Espar heater which made the whole boat toasty even in winter maybe replaced by a/c. The Espar is for sale.
How much are you looking to get for the Espar, what does it come with, and what condition is it in?
 
Feb 6, 2009
257
Hunter 40 Camano Island
1) hypervent
2) large battery bank/matching solar/wind source
3) revise bilge lowpoints to slope to a bilge pump well
4) LED Lighting upgrades and new lighting over salon table
5) Better thought out waste system
6) additional 12V sockets and 12 V AV Panel
7) flat screen
8) 1000 Watt electric forced air wall heater mounted adjacent to water heater




Wish list soon,
Full enclosure, electric windlass, folding prop, bow washdown pump, replacement water tanks, 1/4 " tongue and groove cedar to replace all carpeted walls, Slightly larger fridge, Teak veneer to cover all thcose black plastic panels, full time shower head in aft head, new mirrors for the heads, Forced air electric furnace r, quieter diesel heater, davits
Old school weems and plath clipper lantern that would actually shine down and fit the salon.

here comes santa claus....here comes santa clausl.....
 
Jul 28, 2012
79
Hunter 410 San Blas,Mexico
How much are you looking to get for the Espar, what does it come with, and what condition is it in?
Hi 4 arch. It is in pretty good shape. It has not been used a great amount. The boat was south for about three years. Last fall it I took it out and took to a dealer for a check up. Everything tested well. I have all the lines and manuals. When I did use it, it heated my Hunter 410 to living room temperatures even at minus 0 C. It would need a new exhaust tube and through hull. Two hundred plus shipping would be fine for me.
Thanks, Bob