First Mods?

[wincrasher26]

As my dealer works to ready my boat, I'm getting more and more excited about it.

Even though I'm getting alot of options there are still things I'll need to do myself.

Some are just equipment: fenders, alcohol stove, refrigerator chest, anchor. A toolkit to leave on board is a must. Some kind of grill? Not sure I need a microwave - we're pretty good at one pot meals on the campstove. Trying to decide on A/C - window unit or portable. Marine air built-in would be a cool project, but kinda leery of the cooling water plumbing required. Information on the portable units is hard to come by. THere are a couple 8000 btu compact units that look like contenders on Amazon, but no good info if they are really better than units from a few years ago. A compact window unit would surely work, but just think the whole setup to use it is alot to deal with and a bit janky to look at.

I'm getting shore power, charger, 2 batteries, 4 AC outlets, 3 DC outlets by the dealer. I have a 2000w Yamaha inverter generator already (bought for camping last year). Think any kind of solar would be overkill for now since I'm only looking at weekend trips this year. So if I do A/C, I'll need to lug along my generator, if not, then alternator charging would probably been enough to keep my batteries charged up.

I definately want to change over to LED lighting. Looks like just the bulbs to replace - think they are 921's?

Dealer is installing VHF, stereo, GPS chartplotter, so I think electronics are covered. Don't think I need an inverter since I can feed the electrical system with my genset. Don't think I need a TV until I'm ready for a week-long trip sometime this winter or next year. Searching for a DC one, but so far don't find one. Don't think I need an inflatable until I go on a long trip on the ICW.

Anything else I should consider getting?

[pokerrick1]

Second JOb

Rick

[wincrasher26]

Ha!

No, this stuff is fairly cheap - relatively speaking at least. Having the dealer do things up front I thought would be cheaper in the long run, and probably look much better than doing it myself.

[CampCook]

Just my humble opinion but I would go sail awhile before doing anything else. This boat is unique and your use will be unique. You might even be inconvenienced once or twice but is amazing to find all of the things you can get along without -- infact, maybe even more enjoyable without.

[Russ]

Where is your boat? Is it hot that you need A/C?
Will you be sleeping plugged into the dock?

I wouldn't run a genset at night. Too many cases of CO deaths that scare me about that idea.

[Obelix]

I agree with Campcook, get to know the boat first and see what you really need. Jeff and Dan would have told you if there is something you should have. You will notice quickly, that on a small boat less can be more.

Congratulations, good luck and plenty of fun.

Obelix

[wincrasher26]

where I'm at is in the South. No time at the dock, we'll be out anchored in a cove. Think A/C is a must to be able to sleep come late June, but I've never slept out on the lake before, so not sure how hot it really gets.

Never even thought that a genset would be an issue if it was out on the stern.

Maybe a CO & fire alarm is a must. A fire extinguisher is included by the dealer.

[yukonbob]

Go look up BWY coastal cruising package...has a lot of good options and ideas

[Irafatsar]

Where are the speakers mounted?

[Russ]

If there is a breeze, the genset on the stern will vent aft. If there is no breeze, there can be danger. Lots of deaths from CO on houseboats when the wind dies down from generators.

If you are going to run that thing at night, PLEASE get a CO detector.

As far as A/C, if money were not the issue, I'd do a real water cooled marine unit. They are much more efficient and quieter. Plumbing isn't a big issue if done correctly. Most boats have lots of hole in their bottoms and don't sink.

I'd start out with some decent 12v fans and see how that goes. The power to run A/C is huge. it will need a generator to run the thing which means more stuff to store on a small 26' boat.

[RJG 26S]

Here are a few mods that were first on my list:

1. Anchor light with LED Bulb (I got a Dr. LED Bulb) it uses less than 10% of the current of a standard bulb- around 150 mA I think.

2. Battery Combiner

3. Pressurized water system

4. Auxiliary alarm inside cabin connected to GPS external alarm output (for anchor drag - helps you sleep easier on the hook, for shallow water loud enough to hear over motor)

5. smart meter for battery status http://www.rcuniverse.com/magazine/arti ... cle_id=468 I have two, one to keep track of the amp-hours used and one for amp-hours charged. (everything but my starter motor goes through these meters)

6. Bilge pump

For me, doing the mods is half the fun. I need to start posting them.

Welcome to the club!

Bob

[Ixneigh]

I have a Honda portable. The only Place I have found to run it without exhaust backdraft into the cabin is lashed to the aft lifeline stauncions so it sits right on the edge of the boat. I think a co2 alarm is a must to run it overnight.
I have cabin fans but my heat tolerance is pretty high.
Most of my mods on my year old boat were storage related. I did the led switch and installed add. Night lighting.
I added a manual windlass to pull a 25-35 pound anchor. Upgraded the Reefing system.
Put in a teak cabin sole.
I use portable gps and radio. Eventually I will install a good car stereo that works with an iPod.
I Put skegs on the bottom of the boat. (not recommended for most)
Changed to a flat helm seat (love it) put barrier coat on so I can leave it in the water year round
Nonskidded the black raccoon stripes so you can walk there when the boat heels under sail (recommended but unsightly)
Installed a dedicated wheel lock (highly recommended)
Bought the Ida rudders. (love them)

Future projects my include extra glass on some areas of the deck and using black 3-m stick on nonskid there.
Custom hull paint in light blue. (Just upper part)

Ixneigh

[wincrasher26]

All these are interesting mods.

I got the stern seats, so I thought I might lash my genset to one of those for night use. I'd rather leave it at home though, as a running generator disturbs my zen.
Probably will try the fans first and see how it goes.

I have the pressurized water so nothing to do there.

Alarm for movement is a great idea and something I'll look into. I'd also like metering on the batteries.

[robbarnes1965]

I live in a colder climate and don't need ac or the power it requires and am so excited for heat down south that I can't even fathom using it on any boat , but that's me.With ac the genset is a must otherwise solar is totally worth the quiet.

Do NOT cheap out and get a portapotty. Get an Airhead or Natureshead composting toilet. The extra expense will save on pump-outs and far less frequent emptying. But the major plus will be NO SMELL and cleaner.

A cockpit table will be very useful.

A last big expense but one I've not regretted is a furling main. If your dealer has access to one great, otherwise contact MIke Inmon on the west coast. Other systems may be good too but his is for the Mac. I have a CDI on-mast sytem but would take Mikes system hands down over it.

Rob

[wincrasher26]

My dealer recommended against the furling main. Guess he had alot of problems with it.

I don't really understand why it's a $3000 option either.