Your favorite modification

[Ken Cross]

Many folks here have done modifications to their boats. Some of them are creative and amazing. I suspect most of us have done something. I'd like to see what is your favorite with pictures if possible. I haven't done much to our latest boat (only repairs so far) but to get the ball rolling I'll attach a picture of the doors I built for our last boat (A San Juan 28.) I'm thinking of doing away with the hatch boards on our Hunter 30.

Ken

 

[centerline]

I have 2 boats and have done so many mods/upgrades to both of them that I cant pick a "favorite"...
everytime I finish the latest project, I think it is so great that it is something that should have been done before the boat left the factory.
so if i post one picture to the thread, I would have to post them all.... but most of them are all in my albums on this site if you care to look..

 

[JK_Boston_Catalina310]

Hmm. It is hard to pick a favorite. I guess I will go with most used.

The water filters so we can get good drinking water right from the tanks is up there.

But the folding wheel is a big one too.

Lots more photos on our blog.

 

[Jackdaw]

Once you build up enough courage to drill a big hole in your deck, try a couple in your HULL.

I installed fixed ports in the hull of my old First 235.

Brightens it up inside.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Get a good basic boat that you don't have to mess with. I've read so many posts by folks who have unmanageable boats that I wonder why they ever bought 'em.

All the rest are enhancements.

If you look at my profile you'll see what I did to our boat. Mostly electrical system upgrades, to "enhance" the way we use our boat. The PO was a marina-hopper, we anchor out. If you read Smitty's blog, you'll see he did a lot of what we'd done, because he is going cruising.

One can "live" without roller furling and lazy jacks (or Dutchman, if you prefer), but they just make sailing easier.

My favorite "mod" was hatch holders for my engine cover, nav station desktop and fridge top.

 

[centerline]

My favorite "mod" was hatch holders for my engine cover, nav station desktop and fridge top.

this is a good one....

I added one to the settee hatch... it was so irritating when ever i was down in there changing the oil, working on the wiring, checking the batts, ect. and the boat rocked a bit... and WHAM! the hatch slams closed and the lights go out.... a couple of times it got my fingers while I was crawling out, but it wasnt until it hit me in the head and bent my glasses that I decided it was time to remedy the problem... for only $10 the inconvenience of a slamming hatch, pinched fingers, broken glasses and bumps on the head went away... at least while i was occupying that part of the of the boat

and I bought one for the nav station desk top at the same time... but I havent slammed my fingers in it yet so the holder is still waiting to be installed..

 

[Johnb]

Roller furling on the jib made it so much easier to deploy and put away than wrestling it into and out of a sail bag.

Lazy jacks for the main so it does not spill all over the cockpit when being brought down.

If I did not have one already, a dodger that makes a huge difference to ones comfort. The new one is strong enough and has handholds that makes going forward much easier.

In the near future an anchor windlass and a better, safer swimming ladder.

 

[ALNims]

Many folks here have done modifications to their boats. Some of them are creative and amazing. I suspect most of us have done something. I'd like to see what is your favorite with pictures if possible. I haven't done much to our latest boat (only repairs so far) but to get the ball rolling I'll attach a picture of the doors I built for our last boat (A San Juan 28.) I'm thinking of doing away with the hatch boards on our Hunter 30.

Ken

ken,
Nice job.
Andrew

 

[Charlie Jones s/v Tehani]

I really have two main ones on the exterior-

first- converted my wide open, 32 inch wide companionway to a 24 inch wide one, with a true seahood

Second- installed a constant flow vent inn the top drop board so I now have through ventilation with the DayNight fan on the forward hatch. I can close it off if needed, but never have

 

[Ralph Johnstone]

The modification with the biggest impact and yet is never seen, was the installation of a Balmar ARS-5 alternator regulator. Mounted under the campanionway steps out of sight.

With the cost and trouble installing it, should have mounted it right over the salon table as a conversation piece :cussing:.

 

[ALNims]

The modification with the biggest impact and yet is never seen, was the installation of a Balmar ARS-5 alternator regulator. Mounted under the campanionway steps out of sight.

With the cost and trouble installing it, should have mounted it right over the salon table as a conversation piece :cussing:.

Nice job.

 

[Ken Cross]

funny

The modification with the biggest impact and yet is never seen, was the installation of a Balmar ARS-5 alternator regulator. Mounted under the campanionway steps out of sight.

With the cost and trouble installing it, should have mounted it right over the salon table as a conversation piece :cussing:.

That one made me laugh. Thanks.

Ken

 

[JimR]

Adding a windlass makes anchoring fun instead of a chore. Hauling up an anchor by hand is great exercise but my back couldn't take it. Although wedging in the motor below deck was a challenge.

Jim