For those long trips, what mods worked best for you?

[fouz]

I'm sure everyone starts out wanting a/c and flat screen tvs and then soon realizes that other stuff could have been first. And I know everyone's priorities are different.
But I'm just wondering what mods or items you have that you liked the most for overnights/long trips.

Or maybe things that you thought you needed and didn't.

Of course I have a good ideal on some of the basics (ground tackle, bedding, storage), but wondering what helped make your overnight trips more enjoyable.

[Sumner]

We don't like having to be tied to making stops around water, ice and let's just say human waste.

We can easily take over...



http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner ... -16-a.html

....40 gallons of water.

The frig....



http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner ... de-22.html

..... means no trips ashore for Ice.

And using Double Doodie bags/Wag Bags.....



http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner ... ide-1.html

...means no trips to shore to empty a porta-pottie or go to a pumpout.

We can go over a month...

http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner ... index.html

.... with the above taken care of along with lots of food and clothing storage.

Besides the above good anchoring gear designed for a boat bigger than ours is a must and a reliable outboard.

How long would you like to stay out?

Sum

Our Endeavour 37

Our Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida

Our MacGregor S Pages

Mac-Venture Links

[u12fly]

We are racking up the mods on our boat... Several dozen I have yet to post. One of the main things that attracted me to the Macgregor was, it is a perfectly simple basic boat leaving the owner with lots of things to customize. For long trips there are several mods that make the boat livable, I'm going with these:

1) Running hot and cold water: I plumbed our boat to hold 30+ gallons of water, installed an electric water pump, instant on hot water heater, stainless steel sink, and a transom shower. This makes it much easier to cook, clean, and bathe on board.

2) Large insulated cooler: I built a custom color that fills about 70% of the original sliding galley. It is very well insulated and with two blocks of ice in it will refrigerate 4+ days of food in 90 degree weather. You can see that mod here: http://www.macgregorsailors.com/modt/in ... ?view=1502

Chris.

[Kittiwake]

In my opinion, the most enjoyable ‘modification’ on any trailerable boat is optimization of livable space. And, you won’t want to have to dig through under-seat storage compartments and suitcases, or rearrange everything, each time you need something. In this regard I have done 3 things worth mentioning:
1) For 2 people, it is tempting to just leave the dining table ‘up’ for charts, food, and constantly-in-use small items. Leave non-essential cushions at home – they take up a lot of space.
2) I made (from ¼” oak-veneer plywood) a 6”-deep set of shelves (with lip) that sits on the table, braced snugly against the hull, its top just beneath the windows at whatever height allows tight fit to the wall. It is almost the length of the table, and sits on thin foam strips to avoid slipping and rattling. In is held against the wall by elastic cord (eg. very small bungee cord) attached to suction cups. It holds a wealth of small items without sacrificing much table-top.
3) After experimentation with various baskets, bags, and boxes (both cardboard and see-through plastic), I relegated clear-plastic storage boxes to being convenient organizers for infrequently-used under-seat items (emergency kit, tools, spare line, electrical spares, ‘winter’ hats & gloves; and for frequently-used cabin items such as flashlights & chargers & cell phone.
I am embarrassed to admit that, in the end, for most non-under-seat items, I just bought a 4-drawer and a 6-drawer self-contained set of those clear-plastic drawers that you can buy at any big-box hardware store for $15-20. These fit nicely against the port hull between seats and ceiling (just forward of the rear berth - slide the galley a bit forward as necessary). You can fit a massive amount of food, cutlery, spare clothes, personal items etc. in these - all easily-findable and easily-reached. Do put the tins in the bottom drawers ... and consider experimenting with a couple of long bungee cords to hold the whole thing in place while traveling. Even the 1st mate has concluded it was a clever idea (now there’s something that doesn’t occur every day).

Perhaps you are getting the idea that my mods require little skill – well that’s true.
The following is no exception. I bought a sheet of clear/colourless 3/16”-thick Lexan and cut out 2 pieces: one the same dimensions as the companionway door (but 3/16” thick and very light); and the other a bit bigger than the forward hatch. The door-size piece ‘opens up’ the boat while excluding rain and bugs. The hatch-cover piece conforms nicely to the fore-deck curve (flexible), and can be reversibly fastened in a number of simple ways when the hatch is open (no fair asking how I did it). Nice to look up at the stars without 1st mate complaining of the draught. In hot weather in the absence of rain, netting might be better than Lexan. By the way, I chose Lexan for its toughness; but I don’t rely on it to keep burglars out.

Finally, a good inflatable dinghy is very nice; but keep it small ... and we very rarely use the dinghy outboard motor, although I like the feeling that I have a get-home motor.
Kittiwake

[Seapup]

But I'm just wondering what mods or items you have that you liked the most for overnights/long trips.

There are tons of modifications that can make the boat more comfortable, but what I found is the largest factor in a good trip is thorough route (anchorages) and weather planning. A perfect sail can easily be ruined by a poorly chosen/exposed anchorage. A relaxing evening and moonlight swim in a quiet cove often just takes a little more planning and makes all the difference.

[captronr]

We had made two pieces of smoked acrylic for the companionway hatch. Our A/C (used dockside) sits on a base and fits where the lower half of the acrylic goes, and the top acrylic closes the rest of the space. Soon, we plan to make a screen section for one or the other for use when the A/C/heat is not needed, and will keep bugs out. Using both sheets during rain or cold helps and still lets light in. Sheets are easier to store than big hatch.

Added a solar powered exhaust fan in the hatch.

Purchased a 110/12 vt/ battery powered fan. Also a small electric heater for those fall chills.

Best purchase for rigging was genoa track mounted swivel cam cleats (had trouble finding them) that moves the genny sheets back where the helmsman can reach them with little effort. Much easier on crew/passengers.

Replaced OEM axle with 4400 lb Dexter with electric brakes and 15" wheels.

Fabricated a new ladder 12" forward of the OEM ladder on trailer to make it easier to get in/out.

Raised trailer winch some (needs to go up more) to minimize Mac bump.

Ron

[Oskar 26M]

We found having a 52 litre fridge (with low-battery protection) and a similar sized ice cooler (both located opposite the head in the ) invaluable in our hot environment.
A 3-burner gas (propane) stove (supported by a wok, saucepans, fry-pans and pressure cooker) is also a big help if you want to vary meals on a long trip. We tried a Cobb, but it is a bit slow. A stove-top oven might be nice.
A 150l water bladder and electric pump is essential and an oversized portapottie ("solids only") helps on extended trips.
Having an inflatable dinghy is great, and its outboard helps a lot when we have to anchor well off shore in some locations.
Davits make the dinghy MUCH easier to stow and launch.
The davits also hold 120W of solar panels to power the fridge and other gear. A second house battery is essential.
Despite the solar panels, and all LED cabin lights, we still find that we use the the Honda 1000W generator a lot to charge batteries for devices such as pocket PC and hand held VHF radio, and to power laptops, a small flat screen TV/DVD player and other home comforts such as a small fan for hot weather and a fan heater in cold weather.
Synthetic canvas flat bottomed storage bags hung on the cabin walls make storage much more accessible.
Tools, spares and repair kits... and of course adequate variety of food and booze...the list goes on...
Finally, a decent anchor and a LOUD anchor alarm so you can relax on the anchor. I have one on my GPS that beeps but a much louder one on my pocket PC that sets off a siren if you drift too far .

[Divecoz]

No certain order........
30 gallons of potable water
Large Porto Potty and Macerator and deck pump out
Best Anchors for you .....and plenty or chain and rode.
3 batteries and a combiner..
LED Lights everywhere..
SS Bar BQ
SS Gas camp stove
CD player..
The Biggest Screened GPS you can rationalize or afford..
Depth Sounder
as others may have stated ? Everything I have done to my boat for me .. its really all about ME ..
LED Spreader lights for the deck..
Real or Only Imagined? I was concerned with being hit.. slammed into on the hook at night..
I added 6 SS Solar Yard lights ...Stanchions 4 Mast Support 2.. Thats 3 each side ..

[Kittiwake]

I'm sure everyone starts out wanting a/c and flat screen tvs and then soon realizes that other stuff could have been first. And I know everyone's priorities are different.
But I'm just wondering what mods or items you have that you liked the most for overnights/long trips.

Or maybe things that you thought you needed and didn't.

Of course I have a good ideal on some of the basics (ground tackle, bedding, storage), but wondering what helped make your overnight trips more enjoyable.

I find the answers interesting: they are clearly all over the place - ie. very different amongst responders. One can only conclude that, in general, what is terribly important for one person may well be of no importance for another. I suppose it should help to 'filter' the responses based on things like, 'local climate', 'interest in actually sailing vs motoring', 'likely trailering frequency and distance', 'anchoring vs marina while travelling' .... and on and on. But even then, there are those of us who want 'simple' ... and those who like gadgets ... and those who use the Mac as a blank slate upon which to write (mods).

I am reminded of the good advice of our Mac dealer: "just buy the basic package, and add what you want later." An exception in my books would be the rail seats, which we like but which would be complex to add later(?).

Kittiwake

[Terry]

I am reminded of the good advice of our Mac dealer: "just buy the basic package, and add what you want later." An exception in my books would be the rail seats, which we like but which would be complex to add later(?).

Kittiwake

The Rail seats are not all that complex to add later, I did it later without much trouble.

A nice to have but maybe not totally neccessary is an autohelm. For long trips you will find this to be a very convenient extra toy. Many of the afore mentioned mods lean towards neccessities.

[bartmac]

All of the mods/neccessities mentioned are a given....In Australia I'd like to add sun protection ie dodger/bimini and a cover joining the two,also having just added a mount for our dinghy motor which also adjusts to reach the water and hopefully drive the Mac at least slowly for emergencies.......the mods and additions we make on our boat is for comfort and more importantly ease of mind.Just came across a 12V evaporative aircooler (portable) so without water in it it functions as a 3 speed fan but with water and low relative humidity ....nice cool breeze

[Boblee]

The most important cruising accessory for me is the fishing dinghy and probably then the fridge and water storage system (200l) then possibly the navigation and power systems, extra fuel but wouldn't enjoy the anywhere near as much without the dinghy for fishing and exploring (also security).

[Divecoz]

I am with Terry.. and I am in hopes he will send me one for Christmas.. ( Dude .. I've been a real good boy this year..)
I have lots and lots of other stuff as well.. I Rolled...the Wind Wine&Song home, New.. for under $26K with The Merc 50 EFI BF on the back.. we are no less than closing in on $40K now.. I NEED !!!! Auto Pilot! and I TOO WANT those dang Helm seats!!!$$$$ and a bunch of other stuff.. I can honestly see another $4=$5K going into her. Auto Pilot. Solar Panels.. Fridge... A/C.. Bigger GPS screen..

The Rail seats are not all that complex to add later, I did it later without much trouble.

A nice to have but maybe not totally necessary is an autohelm. For long trips you will find this to be a very convenient extra toy. Many of the aforementioned mods lean towards neccessities.

[fouz]

Sumner, We want to start at with a few over nights and then work our way up to longer stays, then work our way up to doing what Chinook and others have done and spend a few months in the Bahamas.
Quick Question about a mod you have. Don't know if you have seen Erik's sail cover where he leaves hes main on all the time. With your slug gate set up and Ruth's sail pack/cover (which i plan to copy ) can you push your boom up against the mast (for trailering) so you could just leave it on all the time like Erik's does?


u12fly, I insulated the tub that holds the ice chest on our . So the tub itself is the ice box now. I hope it will last 4 day like yours. One day i would like to get a fridge but I'll wait on that for now.

The PO only added aft wenches as hes only mod AFAIK. Boat is stock besides that. So there is a lot we can do.

Storage and Galley is one of the next mods on the long wish list.

Spreader lights is something i didn't think about. I imagine they make moving around outside at night much easier. I seen a thread or mod the other day about em. I'll have to look into them again.

Thanks to everyone for the replies and ideas.

[DaveB]

Yep, the Edgestar Refig. is a low battery drain deep freeze or refig.
I unpluged it on a 4 day trip overnight to see how much the temps droped. In 85 degree days and 68 degrees nights and water temps at 82-84 degrees. I went from 38 degrees to 44 degrees in the morning 9 am.
Must say there are tricks in the trade and if you have a small 60 watt solar panel and twin group 27 deep cycle house batteries your good for No Ice needed.
I don't have solar panels yet but my 63 quart edgestar will run for 3 days with my other elect. needs without starting outboard for recharge
Sum, Teresa and I are launching out of South Dade Marina Dec. 28th thru Jan. 2nd with 7-9 other boats from WCTSS.
We will be doing Elliot Key, Alabama Jacks,Short key and many others on Clear waters Biscane Bay.
You comeing????
Dave


(..... means no trips ashore for Ice.

Sum)