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

[Teranodon]

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:

 

[Frank Langer]

Yup, that's pretty cute!!
Frank

 

[Christian Williams]

Cute? No no no, mine is better.

The war of the pencil holders continues here:

Pencil holder

How many yachts have been lost at sea with all hands because of an inadequate pencil holder? They go down fast, nobody able to scribble a note. So the loses remain unknown. The aftermarket pencil holder on my boat put the whole project at risk. First, it held only pencils--no marker would...

ericsonyachts.org

 

[Teranodon]

Cute? No no no, mine is better.

Don't like the pencil cup? OK, how about this. My boat is set up for cruising comfort for two people, so the stock table was simply wasting cabin space. I made a smaller one:

 

[Christian Williams]

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]

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.


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!)

 

[Christian Williams]

Superb panel install. Wow.

 

[Mr. Scarlett]

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]

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.

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.

 

[Christian Williams]

Bump again for old time's sake.

 

[kapnkd]

Bump again for old time's sake.

“Bump again”???

 

[Christian Williams]

Forum jargon, it just revives a notable thread for those who may not have seen it. Any new post "bumps" a thread's visibility.

 

[Mr. Scarlett]

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

 

[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]

Bump again for old time's sake.

Good end-of-season bump.

Here's a recent upgrade: a folding Lewmar wheel.

 

[Teranodon]

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?

 

[Stuphoto]

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]

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]

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]

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.