Features you wanted on you liveaboard cat?

[a64pilot]

actually they are around $100 if your in the US. We have had one for going on three years now, we make ice when there is an excess of power, usually when the generator is running or the engine
https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_n...+top+ice+maker

[Catmandu]

You don’t have to rub it in ...

[a64pilot]

I didn’t mean it that way.
My Brother always had to have ice makers on his Sportfishing boats.
They were among the most problematic things on the Boat, so if yours works well, you either got lucky, or got a good one.

[Catmandu]

No Worries. My larger point is that there seems to be a endless supply of electronics, gadgets and other systems that are offered for boats that we feel we HAVE to HAVE.

Each of these items requires space and maintenance. I have learned that you are better off if you can find a "thow-away" or commodity solution for many (not all) of these offerings as opposed to the proper "marine-grade" expensive solution.

Some stuff is mission critical and should be treated as such ... the rest, look for a cheap "throw-away" solution.

Out boat got hit by lightening and wiped out everything except the engines, windlass and one electric head. We still did 300+nm 5-day trip to the Abacos using Navionincs on my iPhone, a handheld vhf and a Yeti cooler with Dry ice.

I REALLY missed the autopilot tho ...

[44'cruisingcat]

Our ice maker is cube trays in the freezer....

[Teleman]

It's all relative.


I'm researching the cheapest prices on a solar camping shower, AAA-battery powered stick-on LED lights, and a Weber BabyQ BBQ.

I've already got a good Esky and several buckets. That's the refrigeration/sinks/head/washing machine covered.

Must have ice...……..get another Esky, build an insulated box to put it in, get bag ice ashore once a week.

Sorted.

[carlabunga]

Storage space - functional storage space. We have a 43' voyage norseman owners model.

Shop room - We are using one of the staterooms as a work shop.
Large heads - It has 4 heads that we are turning into 2 larger heads.
Washing Machine - We are getting a washing machine and it will go in one of the heads.
Full size fridge - These dinky little dorm sized fridges that are under the counters are ridiculous. Same thing with the freezer. I am only 5'4" and I cant even reach the bottom of our freezer plus it's just a giant hole.
We have a lot of refitting to do. I expect it to take probably the next 2 years as we are both still working and the boat is almost 2000 miles away.

As far as the more gadgets on the boat the more that will break, well, we have never had a repair man in our house. My husband can fix anything so this doesn't worry me.

I am with PortClydeMe.

[Nahbrown]

#1 - shaft drives, sail drives are the devil
Propeller forward of the rudder.
High face on the bottom sugar scoop. Our 440 bottom step is always in water.
Self tacking jib
ALL LINES CONTROLLED FROM HELM.
Protected helm
Not Raymarine electronics
Bowsprit and proper rigging for a code 0 and spinnaker

Owner’s version

1400 amp hours @ 12v of lithium batteries
No generator but 200amp alternators on both engines.
1500 watt solar or better
Wind gen but I have zero experience and dont know what to expect.

Air conditioning With soft start ,

[Nahbrown]

Originally Posted by 44'cruisingcat

Our ice maker is cube trays in the freezer....

A counter top icemaker was on the boat when we bought it. You pour water in and it pours ice out. When the solar tops the battery bank we will make a gallon bag a couple times a week.

I highly recommend one of these https://smile.amazon.com/Countertop-...NsaWNrPXRydWU=

[Dave_S]

I know this is an old topic, but interesting. I went back to my original wish list from a post in 2016 before I bought and this was it.

• Fast in light winds
• Suitable for travel - East Coast, Kimberley's, and Pacific Islands
• Light
• Dagger Boards
• Outboard motors
• Swing up rudders
• Galley up
• Can beach it
• 2 heads
• 2 showers

I didn't get the galley up but that's not a big deal.

I would now add to it a larger solar and battery capacity.

[44'cruisingcat]

Originally Posted by ranchero76

I'd call "a house" (or "home") any place where I'd plan to live more or less permanently. Even if it floats and has a sail. But that's me...

11 years now, still living aboard. How about you?

[Tupaia]

Nearly 17 years living aboard, stopped for a refit then covid intervened so 2 years off - still off unfortunately - next year maybe.

Decided no new boats met our needs hence the refit.
What are we changing? We are doing away with the office as we never use it.
Physical items we changed or added while afloat.

'Hard' bimini. - excellent
Washing machine - recommended
Moved water-maker from engine room to heads - much better

[fxykty]

Originally Posted by Tupaia

Nearly 17 years living aboard, stopped for a refit then covid intervened so 2 years off - still off unfortunately - next year maybe.

Decided no new boats met our needs hence the refit.
What are we changing? We are doing away with the office as we never use it.
Physical items we changed or added while afloat.

'Hard' bimini. - excellent
Washing machine - recommended
Moved water-maker from engine room to heads - much better

Why move the watermaker? Is it for better access?

[Tupaia]

Originally Posted by fxykty

Why move the watermaker? Is it for better access?

At some point w/m's leak or require more than regular maintenance and concentrated salt water in an engine room is really bad. Re-locating to the heads means that any leak ends up in the shower and any mess due to maintenance can be washed away.

It is also easier to access. A hot engine room is probably not the best location in the first place.

[Sandy0101]

Dear all,
What is the best brand of washing machine for hard wiring on board? I want compact, efficient, simple function.
Please tell me brands and the size that works best for a couple living aboard. Thanks !