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My top 3 "MUST HAVES" or if it broke I would replace it tomorrow

9K views 35 replies 20 participants last post by  Melrna 
#1 ·
All,
I would like to know what item you have on your boat that you are surprised that it is a "must have" and you couldn't live without it. I am not talking about a "wench handle" but am thinking of the item that is particularly useful for the everyday things that make living aboard a challenge. Is it a head-mounted LED light for reading at night? Something useful in the galley? A Kindle? A type of lip-balm....whatever.

Please provide a short list of the top 3 things you couldn't do without.
 
#3 ·
BBurg is a wench similar to the wench handle mentioned in my original post? I feared this would rapidly degenerate. Your list was sort of a "goes without saying" list so AFTER those three do you have anything else?
 
#4 ·
In no particular order:
1. Heater (PNW, one source of heat ain't enough)
2. Electric windlass (after 20+ years pulling by hand I couldn't go back)
3. Chartplotter at the helm (I would never go anywhere without my paper charts but having the "chart" in front of me all the time is invaluable).
 
#12 ·
JRD,
would you feel the same about the Electric Windlass if your boat was smaller? How about if you were an NFL linebacker? I guess does the electric windlass just add a level of convenience beyond the physical exertion?

I've seen heaters mentioned here twice and as we will be live-aboards and I am shopping in the DC Maryland area many boats have them--I'll put heaters in the green column.
 
#8 ·
If we're talking about living aboard, I'd answer: espar heater, computer/internet, pressure fresh water system.

If we're talking about sailing, I'd answer: GPS/chartplotter, autopilot, dodger (and I bet after I get my bimini, I'll add that to the "indispensable" list too)
 
#11 ·
All,
thanks for the replies, Tom indicated the list could be a lot longer--absolutely but I thought holding it to your "top three" this would be a no brainer and with many opinions provided the list would actually grow and provide a myriad of results. These responses are perfect.
 
#15 ·
For sailing: Dodger, Bimini, and Autopilot
For safety: Jacklines, tether, Harness/PFD—with knife, whistle and strobe attached.
For living aboard: refrigerator, stereo, and solar panels to keep them running.
 
#17 ·
Stainless moka (stove-top espresso maker)
Peet's coffee (of the appropriate grind)
Coffee cup (although, I suppose in a pinch I could stand to drink it straight out of the moka)
 
#18 ·
Interesting post....this is one of those things that can make or break one's day. It's not going to save your life, not going to win a race but this is one of those "must haves". In our house I do the espresso (an old krups that I refuse to let die..(don't ask)) and my wife is mostly tea with an occasional coffee press. I have a small and large Moka from my last boat and kept them for the "next boat"....I feel ya!

All we need is a flame and some water to start our days, no electric power.
 
#21 ·
F15-If I had a smaller boat and didn't have all chain rode I wouldn't necessarily put the windlass in the "need" to have list. I hauled a 33lb anchor and 30' of 3/8" chain for a lot of years but now have a 66 lb anchor and all 3/8" chain and we anchor in up to 70' of water so I feel the windlass is essential. I don't however like having to depend on it and would feel more comfortable if I could haul it in by hand. A manual windlass on a smaller boat would be my preference.
 
#24 ·
I would say that my life on board changed dramatically when I added: autopilot, windlass and refrigeration but these all require substaintial electrical upgrades which also means additional charging sources, so I added solar and wind as well as a larger altenator.......needless to say, there's a domino effect to some upgrades:)

P.S.... the windlass also benefits from a deck washdown...more dominoes:eek:
 
#25 ·
I have a smaller boat (23'), so the things I would replace if they broke:

roller furling: makes single-handing a pleasure
winches: although, I did go most of one season with only one while I was waiting for parts to arrive. I furled down the genny and/or cross-sheeted, but lack of a winch didn't stop me from sailing.
VHF: an essential piece of safety equipment, IMHO.

There are other things that are just as important, but I consider them to so essential that they aren't "should I replace them?" type items, but more "if I don't replace them, having a sailboat is pointless" type items. For example, sails and the auxilliary engine.
 
#26 ·
I have a smaller boat (23'), so the things I would replace if they broke:

roller furling: makes single-handing a pleasure
winches: although, I did go most of one season with only one while I was waiting for parts to arrive. I furled down the genny and/or cross-sheeted, but lack of a winch didn't stop me from sailing.
VHF: an essential piece of safety equipment, IMHO.

There are other things that are just as important, but I consider them to so essential that they aren't "should I replace them?" type items, but more "if I don't replace them, having a sailboat is pointless" type items. For example, sails and the auxilliary engine.
MStern

Your items are indeed "must have" and essential pieces of the boat for sailing. I am looking for that "thing" that may in fact NOT be sailing related but proves to be a true time-saver, lightens the work load, makes something less tedious or more enjoyable. Someone mentioned a particular coffee maker for example. I have this weird silicon squeege thing my kids bought me for drying the car...it is a true time saver and I would buy another as it is so useful and effecient.....that is the sort of recommendations I am looking for.
 
#29 ·
well built propane system and functional stove.
bimini
autopilot

There are less necessary, but highly enjoyable things, that would be pointless without the above, because I wouldn't be out cruising without them.
 
#31 ·
John,
do you include a "dodger" with your bimini our you could do without the dodger, you want coverage from the sun?

Can you expound on stove and what failings to look for in the "propane system"? Bad safety design, accesibility (or not), storage for extra tank.....I love to eat and cooking will be a big part of my day so the stove and its capabilites are big to me.

THanks
 
#32 ·
I can't speak for PBzeer, but I can tell you what I dislike about my stove. I think my stove is original to the boat. The range part works fairly well, except the burners aren't self-lighting and the control knobs are very touchy. But on the whole, it's a pretty good range. It's the oven that really makes me mad. It has a thermostat (some don't! watch out for that), but it doesn't maintain a good temperature. It's at least 50 degrees off from what the knob is labeled as (verified with a oven thermometer). Empty, it does a surprisingly good job of maintaining a steady temperature, but when I put a pan inside it, the temperature distribution gets all crazy. The bottom of the pan will burn and the top will be raw. It once took me an hour and a half to cook potatoes cut into one inch cubes, and the bottom of them was burned almost black by the time they were edible. I've got some new cookware (cuisinart nesting set) that maybe will help, I'll let you know. If stoves weren't so expensive, I'd replace it.
 
#33 ·
rmeador- don't buy a Dickinson propane stove then. We made the mistake of buying it thinking it would be heavy duty and top of the line. Very disappointed. The oven has a "thermostat" but it turns out that it just controls a burner like on the top of the stove, basically high or low, there is no pilot light so the oven is usually about 100 degrees F higher than the "thermostat" says. The igniters don't work reliably either and the rod to lock the stove from swinging is a joke. I could go on.
 
#36 ·
Autopilot (2nd mate), chart plotter, lines aft to helm station, anchoring system that is great (oversize anchors, anchor chain and rode to meet most conditions).
Fridge/Freezer, LED lights, good bed to sleep on.
Great Rum, Great Coffee, good stack-able SS pots.
 
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