The VERY best item you have put on your boat...

[Cruisingdad]

I believe there was an old thread like this, but I thought we would run a new one.

So, of all the things you have done to your boat, what has been the single best thing? Provide pics if you can.

I will tell you mine: The solar array.



It is out of sight expensive. I think I dropped about $7,000 or better on the thing. But it has made my boat completely off the grid. I do not have to worry about power too much. I have and can install things like household fans, run a hair dryer, coffee makers, etc without worry and without the expense of buying marine units. We are even looking at a small 110v deep freeze and know we have the power to run it and without it being a major drain. It has given us LOTS of freedom.

Of course, with the solar panels we also increased our battery bank and installed a large Prosine 2k inverter... but still would say of all the things so far, I like the array the best - especially when coupled to my other items.

What's your best investment so far?

- CD

[AlanBrown]

1. dodger
2. bimini
3. EPIRB

All have equal value.

[k1vsk]

Ice maker (sorry, couldn't resist...)

[rikhall]

1 autohelm
2 dodger
3 FUGAWI
4 radar

I cannot see being without these.

We bought a new to us boat and the first two things I went out and bought were autohelm and radar.

[countdemonet]

You guys need to adjust your priorities!

[CaptKermie]

Autohelm was No.1
Single best mod I ever added, absolutely loved it.
This year I got a new Mainsail and now it is starting to compete for first place.
I put a stereo in this year and love it but it doesn't do what the autohelm or new main does.
I still have the stern rail seats to put in, they are still in the garage and will have to wait for winter haul out to install on the hard.
I have added many mods over the years and like them all but that autohelm is something else and tough to beat. I'll have to wait and see how my new fathead mainsail works out since I have only had it a couple weeks now.

The most expensive and least liked mod was my rollerfurler, I bought the Scheafer CF700 Snapfurler, a very nice well made unit but it and any other furler only add complications to the setup, I was better off with the hank-ons in hindsight. Rollerfurlers are a nice to have and make for easy convenient sail douse but the installation and complication they add remove them from my recommendation list. Too much money and complication for the return on investment.

[RainDog]

CaptKermie is onto something.... If everyone also lists items that in hindsight were not worth the money it would make this thread even more useful for us outfitting.

[SEMIJim]

After "ourselves" , there are two best things, actually: The GPS and the Harken blocks for the mainsheet.

Jim

[billyruffn]

Electronic charting at the nav station next to the radar. With the instantaneous plotting of position and the radar as confirmation of what the electronics is indicating, you can thread a needle on a dark foggy night and find your way to a safe anchorage and a rum toddy vs spending the night off shore.

After that.... Aries self-steering (thank you, Nick Franklin) and the autopilot!!

[7Psych]

Harken Power WInches