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What's the most useful modification you've made....

Teranodon

Member III
Like other folks, I've installed windlass, autopilot, Beta diesel, heating, propane, fridge, 9" touchscreen, custom mattresses, folding wheel, radar, electric outboard, etc. But how about this - a pencil cup for the nav desk:

Talpa pencil holder.jpg
 

Christian Williams

E381 - Los Angeles
Senior Moderator
Blogs Author
Cute? No no no, mine is better.

The war of the pencil holders continues here:

 

Christian Williams

E381 - Los Angeles
Senior Moderator
Blogs Author
Me too, on the table. Cut off three inches all around. On my model the table is designed to lower to a double berth, which makes for a very awkward sit-down at design size.

And I do like your pencil holder :)
 

kapnkd

kapnkd
YIKES! ...Difficult to prioritize all of our modification efforts!!

...Ours was a TOTAL refit of our ‘73 E32-II that included completely replacing major bulkheads, all fresh water and head plumbing, electrical wiring and panel plus reinforcement of our stepped mast design from cabin top to the keel. We also led all lines and controls from the mast aft to the cockpit, added self tailing winches, a bigger wheel along with the very latest integrated/coordinated electronics. ...HARD CHOICE as to favorite(s)!!! ...Oops! Almost forgot we also strengthened our wobbly rudder post at the cockpit top.

Looking back at all of it, our #1 for me would maybe be the Blue Seas electrical panel incorporated into what was a small storage locker on the port side aft quarter berth.

It combined the AC & DC into one system and we designed it to easily drop down for servicing or electrical additions.
693E2443-DD66-4973-B51E-79032AB78E71.jpeg
224CE750-DCA7-4471-A541-D5699DE19574.jpeg
This not only did away with the large and cumbersome AC fuse box in the engine compartment but also provided needed precious additional space in an already crowded engine access area.

This new panel brought us up to date providing the capability to easily upgrade the newest navigational instruments that can talk/speak with each other. (I’m a guy who grew up in the era of RDF navigation and felt I had gone to heaven when getting an Apelco Loran LAT/LON system back in the day!)
 

Mr. Scarlett

Member III
That's inspiring @kapnkd. Thanks.
Do you detail the process anywhere else on the site? This is my winter project - I have my eye on the same panel.
Are those Blue Sea SafetyHub fuse blocks by any chance?
 

kapnkd

kapnkd
That's inspiring @kapnkd. Thanks.
Do you detail the process anywhere else on the site? This is my winter project - I have my eye on the same panel.
Are those Blue Sea SafetyHub fuse blocks by any chance?
I did post about it once before when about 95% finished. I believe they are the Blue Seas fuse blocks. (My son did all the research, purchases and work on it all.) I only created the cabinetry design and modifications to the old locker for it all shown below.
C7CAF6F0-D7D4-4611-84CD-B8E06A0DFDC1.jpeg
The top railing was saved and used to create a convenient storage bin at the bottom for winch handles and other small items. (Photo Below) Note the locker was extended to the top underside of the deck to better accommodate the electrical panel.
1C4FAB26-221D-4E90-9751-D3DC4DF2AF9B.jpeg
 

Mr. Scarlett

Member III
It's finished, but somehow I don't have a pic of the final install. Will post more in the Rate My Panel thread.
 

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kapnkd

kapnkd
It's finished, but somehow I don't have a pic of the final install. Will post more in the Rate My Panel thread.
Looking GOOD! Anxious to see the finished photo in the future!

Love that you have the luxury of a nav station as well. Our 32 has the berth all the way to the salon with battery storage underneath
 

Teranodon

Member III
Bump again for old time's sake.
After struggling for many years, I gave up on eliminating head smells. I know that others have succeeded, but I never did. I put in a Porta Potti. It's still on probation, so the plumbing and holding tank are still there but, so far, so good. It is truly odorless. Tucked in behind is a piece of plywood that can be slipped onto the "shelf" above the floor. It makes for a more comfortable sit-down. Do I need to go into more detail?

Porta Potti.jpg
 

Stuphoto

Member III
Yes you do Stefan,
It's been almost 40 years since I last used a Porta Potty, and back then they omitted a fair amount of odor.
Are the new ones any better?.
 

Loren Beach

O34 - Portland, OR
Senior Moderator
Blogs Author
Yes you do Stefan,
It's been almost 40 years since I last used a Porta Potty, and back then they omitted a fair amount of odor.
Are the new ones any better?.
I hope the new portable heads are "better", altho when we moved up from our Ranger 20 to our Niagara 26, one of the best parts was having a real head and no longer having to carry a container of waste ashore. Our present boat did have some head hose odors when we bought it, and that all went away when all hoses were replaced, along with the manual pump. And the holding tank. And etc.
:)
 

Nick J

Sustaining Member
Moderator
Blogs Author
I hope the new portable heads are "better", altho when we moved up from our Ranger 20 to our Niagara 26, one of the best parts was having a real head and no longer having to carry a container of waste ashore. Our present boat did have some head hose odors when we bought it, and that all went away when all hoses were replaced, along with the manual pump. And the holding tank. And etc.
:)
This was my experience as well. Dealing with waste just sucks. Picking the solution that sucks less is really the best we can hope for.
 

jtsai

Member III
PO replaced the traditional head with a composting head. I wasn't sure in the beginning, but after 2.5 years of ownership and many overnight trips, I think this is the best modification. Mine is the low-cost C-Head. Everything can be replaced with hardware store parts except the urine diverter.
 
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