Your thought folks

[DeClutter]

I have searched and haven't found one on the Forum so I thought I would start one. What is your best modification to your boat, whether it be engine, cosmetic, fishing related, it doesn't matter. Let me know please

Thanks

 

[Delta Riverat]

Most of my work so far has been fixing, replacing, repairing and upgrading stuff so far.

But I did install this folding table for grillin' and doing fish.

 

[RT Firefly]

Greetings,
Mr./Ms. D. Welcome aboard. We have a 23' Penn Yan sport fish that originally came with an ice box for a fridge. Ice would only last for just over a day, or so. About 3 years ago we added a solar panel and 2-way (12v/110v) fridge. Now we can stay out for days without danger of food spoilage or battery drain. Nope. Not a trawler but we DO cruise with her.

 

[Comodave]

When we were looking for our current boat my wife didn’t want our Formula since it has very narrow side decks and a walk through windshield. She is fairly unstable and somewhat tipsy at times. So I told her that if we got the boat I would install bow and stern thrusters so she would not have to go on the bow to handle dock lines. We bought the boat and over the first winter I installed the thrusters. We keep permanent bow dock lines attached to the bow cleats and lead them back to the stern spring cleats. When we are docking she stands by the stern and when we get to the dock she steps off the stern with the stern line and secures it and then walks forward to the bow line and takes it off the stern spring cleat and walks it forward and ties it off on the dock. Best thing we have added to this boat.

 

[dhays]

Welcome to the forum. I've done a bunch of things to the boat. A few of them are actually improvements. Here are two of the best:

• Timer for the fuel transfer pump. I had a bad habit of turning on the fuel transfer pump to move fuel from one tank to another but then getting distracted and forgetting about it. Fortunately, I was always caught it before I started spilling fuel out of the vent of an overfull tank. I added a timer relay to the circuit so that the pump only runs for 10 minutes which transfers about 20 gallons. FWIW, this "upgrade" was met with profuse (and warranted) disdain and ridicule from the TF brain trust. However, I still stand by it as one of my best modifications. Silly "upgrade" thread
• Aerator for holding tank. This wasn't my idea but I used great ideas from @Bacchus, @HeadMistress, and others. I added a bait tank aerator to the holding tank which eliminated any odors. DIY Holding Tank aerator.

In general though, ignore most any suggestions I make. Others have much more knowledge and expertise.

 

[SteveK]

I replaced the two working electric heads with two marine elegance heads and then changed to fresh water flush.

 

[kthoennes]

By far, easy answer - got rid of the Norcold marine fridge that was never cold, and replaced it with a high efficiency LG residential fridge with an inverter.

 

[ksanders]

I'll have some fun with this.

I installed a high end home BBQ

 

[Bacchus]

@DeClutter
Welcome aboard TF. I'll bet you will find lots of ideas here as I have.

@dhays
Thanks for the compliment Dave. Many of my mods have been inspired by others here.

If anyone is interested I've documented many of my mods (including the tank aerator) on my Bacchus website- Projects section.
I haveva hard rime picking a favorite. The aerator certainly solved a terrible problem for us and our MS 34 HT.
The exterior & interior faux teak upgrades are high on our list and I get many comments that folks thought they were factory options.
Charging, batty / loads, switching & battery monitoring have improved my peace of mind re everything 12V

 

[psneeld]

I would say as a liveaboard, after true cruising mods which mostly were safety/navigation oriented was the Electroscan waste system. It allowed me to not to have to worry about pumpouts..... which for many liveabords/cruisers becomes a major PIA unless they unlawfully dump (which many do) or have to work their schedule around finding a legal pumpout facility. Plus... it pretty much eliminated any odor problem that I never really had anyhow...except for the bloodhound sniffer capability of a guest or two.

Many improvements seemed pretty minor compared to this. The only other one was engineering the easiest/best dinghy deployment/retrieval system that made anchoring out a pleasure rather than a struggle to enjoy it when it was more than a quick overnight stop.

 

[HeadMistress]

In general though, ignore most any suggestions I make. Others have much more knowledge and expertise.

I wouldn't dream of just ignoring suggestions from you or anyone else...'cuz even a blind hog manages to find a truffle once in a while. And you'd be surprised at how often a really dumb idea can be turned into brilliant one by just "rotating it a few degrees."

--Peggie

 

[Mac2]

Removed canvas from flybridge and added solar panels instead (cheaper and lasts longer). Added wireless control for SM davit.

 

[ranger58sb]

I have searched and haven't found one on the Forum so I thought I would start one. What is your best modification to your boat, whether it be engine, cosmetic, fishing related, it doesn't matter. Let me know please

Not a specific mod to a boat...

But one of the best things for me has been to find, join, and participate in a brand-specific owner's forum. When one exists.

Not quite like here -- which I think is more about boating in general, with some brand stuff sprinkled throughout. More like heavy-duty brand-specific fix-it/improve-it focus -- with some general boating stuff interspersed. Varying degrees, of course...

That's been especially useful in the case of defunct brands (our previous case, and Mainship owners here will know what that's like) or in the case where the builder has punted all service- and parts-related questions to dealers... but has no dealers who have a clue about their older boats (our current case).

Lots of insight, help, encouragement, part source info, etc... from other owners who have been there/done that...

And of course some of that eventually graduates from "how to fix it" to "how to improve it" discussions.

-Chris

 

[Iggy]

I did a lot of small things. My boat is a 2001 Pacific Trawler and needed a little updating.

1. Changed out the 12v round sockets to USB.
2. Added 2 more Fusion remotes.
3. Added a Li battery bank.
4. The starting battery a 4D, changed that to two group 24s. I made a slid to pull them out since they were in a tight place.
5. Added lighting where needed, engine room, under counters.......
6. Added a motor to the boom that picks up the inflatable.
7. Added cameras that I can web into.
8. Added a small binimi to the stern.

I have to say, the owner before me did a lot too.

He added a step on each side as you enter the helm from the outside. Otherwise you could get hurt stepping in. Also added a cabinet with doors on the starboard side of the galley. Newer counter tops. Washer and dryer combo unit that the cabinet needed to be modified.

 

[Bmarler]

We’ve done a lot of repairs and upgrades, but I think the complete re-wire of the 120 volt system with new isolation transformers and panels, (everything actually) made our boat so much safer and user friendly.

 

[High Wire]

I replaced the two working electric heads with two marine elegance heads and then changed to fresh water flush.

I have done this too. The head smells are gone. Happy dance time!!!