Great thread. I would like to develop this concept further - and 'make-up-a-boat', by specifying hull shape, material, LOA, engine, displacement, and of course all equipment desired. Could be fun!
For “simplified” approach in power boat cruising, my family played it pretty darn simple in 1950's/60's/70’s; on each "wood" boat utilized during those years:
- Cabin cruiser 23’ to 38’
- Hull - planing or displacement
- Single or twin engine (gas or diesel) – Full set standard gauges
- Hard or soft top
- Flying bridge or not
- Canvas for closing-up cockpit
- Fuel level check by metered straight stick = 100% accurate
- Sleeping bags
- Physical warmth by portable alcohol “HeatMate” heater(s) as well as using it as food or water warmer
- Lights were 12V and gimbaled kerosene lamps
- Also, by mid-60’s we kept aboard a very small Honda generator… dad then bought a 5” screen Sony TV with its own extension antenna (just like a car antenna). Honda gen would get started and dad would watch Walter Cronkite! We had lots of books and games aboard to keep us all occupied.
- Bath by swimming or sponge
- Wash/dry by shore visit or other means – no mechanical washer aboard
- 13’3” Boston Whaler or other dink as tow behind tender – sometimes a small one on davits
- Ice Box – not electric
- Hand pumped water faucet in galley and head – hot water via galley stove
- Manual pump, direct flush toilet – after all, it was in the 1950’s 60’s – lol
- Hand pump alcohol one or two burner galley stove
- Plenty dry storage – other food as available or seafood caught while aboard
- Drinking – SS water tank kept clean via flushing and small amount bleach per refill; as well as juices, sodas, water jugs filled at stops
- Depth sounder
- Ship to shore
- Compass
- Paper charts and plotting tools
- Accurate time piece and stop watch
- Knowledge of area tides and currents
- Really good navigation skills – including celestial navigation
For many years with equipment mentioned above: We cruised New England coastal and inner waters as family of five, then four, then three, then just the two parents as we three boys had left home. During 60’s RDF became a navigational item we used to check-up on our chart plotting and self-navigation accuracy. Each boat was well dialed in on measured mile speed trials so we knew how fast we were cruising at given rpm. That was calibrated into tides, current speeds, compass reading, and charted miles… so we knew which buoy or landmark to find and change course at. If visibility was too limited we changed course as we’d previously charted as per speed in relation to course and timed-travel. Dad was a magician on navigation accuracy… during WWII RCAF and then U.S. Navy trained him well.
In these days I still keep it fairly simple on "FRP" boat(s) (my additions to above):
1. Electrically integrated, original equipment 7.5 kW Kohler generator on electric panel
2. Pressure sink water at two heads and galley
3. Electric pump floor drain pressure water shower wand in each head
4. Electric toilets each head / with holding and/or LectrSan
5. Hot water heater, charged by electric and starboard engine run
6. 30 amp Shore power on electric panel
7. House bank of batteries with rudimentary charge level meter
8. AC plugs around cabins for plug ins as desired when shore or generator power is on = electric heat too. Still keep HeatMate aboard
9. Three burner, full oven electric stove
10. Microwave and 120 v fridge w/ small freezer
11. Original Coleman ceiling air conditioner – not ever used by us… probably needs recharge
12. House computer for watching movies
13. Radar display at salon pilot station
14. GPS on bridge
15. Flashing light engine rpm synchronizers at each pilot station - luv em!
16. Gas gauges – don’t trust em – still use weighted drop string for 100% accurate fuel level check. Also, have twin screw Flowscan and plan to eventually install… no rush
17. And, Oh yeah… Master stateroom with queen size and double size beds / forward stateroom with big v-berth. Both with fully equipped private heads.
I’m a bit more complicated in boating than my family was in mid-20th Century. However, by today’s recreational marine standards… I run fairly deep on the KISS factor, keeping complications to minimum!
Simple Is As Simple Does! - Art