Best mod for cruising this year?

[TonyS]

I surprise even myself but adding cockpit speakers has made the tedious longer passages such as cross channel much more interesting. Even listened to the final round of the Open while sailing from Alderney to Cherbourg. Channel Islands radio is quite good as well as Radio 4 where you can get it and failing all just listening to music.
What other mods have you found more successful than expected?

 

[SQUIRRELS]

Flat screen TV on bulkhead; don't laugh, it's brill! Can even watch F1 from cockpit. Draw the line at Big Bro mind you. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[fireball]

The best mod this year has had to be the stakpack ... before, it was a pain to raise and lower the main (I'm lazy u see!) Now raise, reef and drop at will ... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

The other usefull sailing utility we've used is the snuffer on the cruising chute (I was told that it was no good and you don't really need one. But for short handed working (2 up) it was priceless! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif )

 

[Neraida]

New Autohelm, can't quite get my head round why we didn't get one earlier now that 'George' is part of the crew.

 

[Twister_Ken]

Little wheels on the bottom of the keel. Lets me push the boat around Tesco and stops that nasty business of your cardboard boxes getting soggy in the bottom of the dinghy.

 

[BlueSkyNick]

Replaced the crappy VHF/DSC often discussed on this forum with a new set from Standard Vertex. A great bit of kit, with big knobs and display - however the best aspect is the optional remote mic in the cockpit. It has all the functionality of the main set, ie change channel, volume and squelch, DW etc, DSC distress button, cancel false DSC's. This means the volume on the mainset can be turned right down on a night passage so anybody sleeping in the main saloon is not disturbed, and full comms can take place in the cockpit. The only thing I can't do is key in an MMSI number which hasn't been a problem yet, funnily enough.

The base set was about £330, but the command mic is the best 80 quid I have spent on the boat.

 

[Lakesailor]

[ QUOTE ]
Draw the line at Big Bro mind you. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[/ QUOTE ] Sign of the Cross, surely?

 

[FullCircle]

13ft extension to the length, and standing headroom. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

SWMBO: Pressurised hot water and 340 litres of it available to waste.

Me: Radar and the 1 million candle power rechargeable torch(£5.50 in Belgium).

Runner Up: Snuffer for the cruising chute, which proved larger than imagined at 893sq ft.

Not fitted yet (this weekend) but possibly a late winner: Fully programmable heating switch instead of getting out of bed and switching it on /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[Talbot]

Without doubt the best item has been the chart plotter sited so I can see it from the helm (Navman 5500).

3 best for domestic acceptability - new cooker, heating system, shower. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[Lakesailor]

Paul Weller (possibly the only one left)

 

[DeeGee]

Soft squadjy pipe-things in the cockpit, which go over the guardwires. Never realised how much discomfort there was without them!!

 

[cardinal_mark]

A boat!

But now I'm after a lazy jack and stack pak system simply because I'm sick of being whipped in the face by reefing lines!

Mark

 

[Lakesailor]

[ QUOTE ]
The best mod this year has had to be the stakpack

[/ QUOTE ]

[ QUOTE ]
Soft squadjy pipe-things in the cockpit, which go over the guardwires. Never realised how much discomfort there was without them!!

[/ QUOTE ]

<font color="black">bu</font><font color="black">gger</font>. I wasn't going to spend anything this year. But now...........

 

[SQUIRRELS]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Draw the line at Big Bro mind you. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[/ QUOTE ] Sign of the Cross, surely?

[/ QUOTE ]
More like signs of the simple! Seriously, who in their right mind watches this night after night, year after year and worse, runs up a phone bill to boot? /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

Anyway, my most recent practical purchase has been a spade anchor and extra chain, so hopefully that will turn out to be a certain good buy from this season.

 

[DJE]

[ QUOTE ]
...cockpit speakers...

[/ QUOTE ]
Sounds great but please don't play music on them in crowded marinas. We have been on the receiving end twice so far this season.

Our best mod was reef lines back to cockpit.

 

[Lakesailor]

Re: Big Brother [ QUOTE ]

Seriously, who in their right mind watches this night after night, year after year and worse, runs up a phone bill to boot? /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif


[/ QUOTE ] Don't be so quick to criticise. If they weren't watching Big Brother they could be running up their Jetski next to you!

 

[jimboaw]

Serious answer to a good question. Without hesitation I suggest those of you who have fully battened mains check out the "Strong" mainsail track system from Tides Marine. It's a seamless plastic replacement track that fits into the existing mast track . Comes complete with it's own slides and batten end fittings. Less than half the cost of fancy systems by Harken and others. Fitted mine in a couple of hours and LOVE it. Carefull when you go to drop the main. The track is so slick it can come down too fast!!

 

[Lizzie_B]

Wholeheartedly agree. Got one too in the states, it was such a blessing to be able to steer and respond to the big black bulk carrier that I could see coming up Tampa Bay behind me on a pitch black night! It certainly makes life a lot less stressful. Other best buy so far this year was spending $20 cash for the yard man to fix the air conditioning!