What new boat features is your old boat missing?

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boating rich

boating rich

Veteran Member
Joined
Jul 8, 2018
Messages
88
Location
usa
Vessel Name
Oriente
Vessel Make
Back Cove 37
My wife and I starting an interesting conversation about what must have features on new boats are we missing with a 20 year old analog boat. I watch the YouTube reviews and there are some interesting transforming boats with tons of seats, fold down balconies, cup holders and USB ports everywhere. Some of these items are neat and some make me cringe with the idea of trying to get the gadget fixed in the future. At some point those four fridge draws, two grills, 20 inch chart platters and hydraulic windows are going to need to be replaced or fixed.

We are a cruising couple so having a boat set up for hosting parties for 16 people with people on sun pads isn’t in our needs.

The question is what features do these new digital boats have that you can’t add to your existing boat that would make your overall boating experience better?

On my list is
-a side entry door which would make loading easier.

The items I can do are:
-bow thruster - $5,000
-new cushions, countertops, faucets - $7,000
-new windows - $10,000
-usb plugs - $40

Love to hear your list.
 
Nothing in particular comes to mind. If I want something new chances are that I can add that item. A lot of the new stuff doesn’t interest me. Especially some of the new look doesn’t appeal to me. I prefer a more classic look.
 
I just finished a massive refit on my 1969 28 foot sedan cruiser. With the money I spent, I could easily have afforded 4 new Tesla's with money left over. So I didn't want to do a restore job but a renovation instead, so new electronics, electrical and supporting cast, new thruster, and on and on.

When my refit guy asked if I wanted to install a microwave I said no, I barely use the one at home. But I found while living on boat for one week spurts, taking the time to learn systems and break in the new motor, my desire to use a microwave went up. So I bought just about the cheapest 700 watt (uses 1050 watts, it takes power to make power) .7 cubic inch microwave, all plastic (won't rust) jobbie I could find. Master Chef from Canadian Tire for my Canadian friends.

I also ended up purchasing a cheap, low watts, not smart tv but one with an integrated DVD player. The tv is only 28 inches, is very light, I can store it between coats and stuff hanging in one of two lockers and the coats acts as shock absorbers during choppier trips.

I'm now considering a WIFI extender to improve the signal in my marina which isn't that great and dies during certain high usage times during the day.
 
Our boat is pretty well equipped. Sometimes I wish it had electronic shifters, which can be added. That's about it, though.
 
I can't think of anything I might have wanted -- that I couldn't add if I wanted it enough.

More engine data, for example, than from our mechanical Cummins 8.3s; would have liked to have EGT and so forth, but... didn't "need" that enough to bother with.

Once structural features are satisfactory, often addressed during the initial shopping phase (a new side entrance door, for example) everything else I'd want seems to be user-addressable.

-Chris
 
I think I have added all the extra cupboards possible, under berth storage with hydraulic assist, an 'over kill' range hood, fuel polisher, water maker, 2 new reverse cycle A/C. Still stuck with a need for a larger hanging closet.
I am going to move most of the boat's read outs from the VesselView to analog gauges.
Of course I could upgrade all the electronics but the next owner needs to spend the money for what he likes (wink)
I can see the end of additions and upgrades. Now, I hope I can get it all done without other stuff breaking. SMIRK
When I buy and install the wooden helm wheel, this boat will be completed.
 
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The first thing that comes to mind is the seating/ergonomics of the flying bridge on our 30 year old boat vs new boats. Ours has that typical old trawler seating configuration of two back to back double wide bench seats (one starboard, and one port) with storage underneath. It was a bad idea in the 60's or 70's on a trawler, and still being manufactured in 1990 when our boat was made. Classic, but bad. I've seen a couple of nice "remodels" of the bridge area, but have yet to tackle that and actually have not yet figured out how I would lay it out if we were doing it. I know it would involve a nicer helm chair, that is higher than the old benches, and the passenger seating would be raised as well. Oh, and might as well add a nice hardtop up there while we are at it. It's an easy project since we are just typing in a thought rather than actually doing it :)
 
My boat is 10 years old and I spent a lot of time figuring out how I wanted it configured before having it built, so not much has come along that I wish I had or had even considered. Seakeepers were pretty new 10 years ago and I didn't give them much thought. I now wish I had, but probably would not have given up the room, anywhere, that they require. My boat also has a lot of screens for the display of shared nav data, etc. HDMI existed but somehow I went with VGA wiring throughout. I have since ripped out all of that VGA wiring and replaced most of the screens, now using HDMI throughout. I am very pleased with that upgrade. I don't have, or want, hydraulic windows, or big windows in the side of the hull, or euro-styling, or any of the other stuff that is now trendy. Conversely, I am glad to have a few things that are now widely considered obsolete, starting with SSB. Similarly, I sometimes wish for the security of purely mechanical engines, though it is nice to never see or smell any hint of diesel exhaust.
 
A bigger TV. We're going to hire a cabinet maker and have the salon cabinets modified to get a pop up TV installed. Current TV might be 19" diagonally measured. New chart plotter, the old chart plotter and radar take up too much room and are very bulky. Maybe next year I'll change that, otherwise it's minor repairs here and there. Oh - next boat, dishwasher.
 
AZ2Loop said:
The first thing that comes to mind is the seating/ergonomics of the flying bridge on our 30 year old boat vs new boats. Ours has that typical old trawler seating configuration of two back to back double wide bench seats (one starboard, and one port) with storage underneath. It was a bad idea in the 60's or 70's on a trawler, and still being manufactured in 1990 when our boat was made. Classic, but bad. I've seen a couple of nice "remodels" of the bridge area, but have yet to tackle that and actually have not yet figured out how I would lay it out if we were doing it. I know it would involve a nicer helm chair, that is higher than the old benches, and the passenger seating would be raised as well. Oh, and might as well add a nice hardtop up there while we are at it. It's an easy project since we are just typing in a thought rather than actually doing it :)
Click to expand...

Since you are only dreaming: https://www.westmarine.com/buy/todd...-captain-s-chair-package--8773491?recordNum=5

I have one like this, and it stands between the fixed back to back seating, though as tight to one side as possible. In that position, getting past is easy, and the seating position gives me a much better view, being about 15" higher than on the benches. I can easily reach engine controls, radio and plotter controls. No other modification to the seating has suggested itself to me.

A roof would add to the venturi effect that even my Bimini creates, so that when driving from up top, the Bimini gets folded back to eliminate the cold wind created by that venturi effect. A fixed roof would make that effect permanent, so would then necessitate a full enclosure.
 
It’s missing a lot of new stuff.

But I don’t think I need any of it.

I do actually need an anchor windlass but ... that’s nothing new.
 
bshillam said:
A bigger TV. We're going to hire a cabinet maker and have the salon cabinets modified to get a pop up TV installed. Current TV might be 19" diagonally measured. New chart plotter, the old chart plotter and radar take up too much room and are very bulky. Maybe next year I'll change that, otherwise it's minor repairs here and there. Oh - next boat, dishwasher.
Click to expand...

Fell down that rabbit hole with our Motorhome. When the 2007 TV died, in 2015, there was no TV on the market to fit the custom opening, so I found a larger, newer style TV that would mount inside the old opening, leaving a large open space at the top or bottom. I left the space at the top and filled it with a piece of fabric. After a couple of years, that TV also died, and naturally, there were now no new replacements of that dimension. This time I bought one that would fit in front of the opening, bought a piece of cherry, filled the (now smaller) space below the new TV. It does look as if the cabinetry is designed to fit the TV, so the next time one dies, the fitting should be easier.
 
I agree on not liking all of the expanses of glass on the euro style boats. Seems like you would spend most of the times with the blinds closed at dock or waving while watching tv.

I have been stripping the boat of all of the old wiring, cables and equipment from po. It feels good to get it clean systemwise.
 
lights in drawers and closets,
need a searchlight to finde something

led lamps fond on a sale now still need to install 32 lamps, some closets have switches ready most need to be installed

greats
Patrick
 
My wife and I made the mistake of touring a Carver 37 coupe at a boat show last year. The bathrooms had heated floors. Wonder if I can get an electric blanket as big as a front-porch welcome mat instead and accomplish the same thing?
 
Patrick4002 said:
lights in drawers and closets,
need a searchlight to finde something

led lamps fond on a sale now still need to install 32 lamps, some closets have switches ready most need to be installed

greats
Patrick
Click to expand...

May I suggest you use the strips of LEDs. I added some to 5 small lockers.... fantastic. Now to upgrade the the current lighting with the strips of LEDs.
 
Olddan1943. What LED strips did you use? I have purchased some of the roll led for $15 and they seem too cheap but work well if you can get them to stick.

I try not to go to boat shows so I have not seen how the oem folks do it.
 
i found these they work on 12v
i have put 2 diode in serie with the lamps so they can resist to 15v when charging
 

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ranger42c said:
I can't think of anything I might have wanted -- that I couldn't add if I wanted it enough.

More engine data, for example, than from our mechanical Cummins 8.3s; would have liked to have EGT and so forth, but... didn't "need" that enough to bother with.

Once structural features are satisfactory, often addressed during the initial shopping phase (a new side entrance door, for example) everything else I'd want seems to be user-addressable.

-Chris
Click to expand...

I have the same engine :)

Seaboard just started advertising a digital dash for our mechanical engines. Has the capability to incorporate all of that nifty engine data into its display
 
boating rich said:
Olddan1943. What LED strips did you use? I have purchased some of the roll led for $15 and they seem too cheap but work well if you can get them to stick.

I try not to go to boat shows so I have not seen how the oem folks do it.
Click to expand...

Yes, in a roll. And I have had great success with them sticking.
 
boating rich said:
Olddan1943. What LED strips did you use? I have purchased some of the roll led for $15 and they seem too cheap but work well if you can get them to stick.

I try not to go to boat shows so I have not seen how the oem folks do it.
Click to expand...

LOL I have no need to go to the boat shows. I own a boat and too much walking. As per the toys, I know what I am looking for. If I went and found something "I cannot live without", it will just cost me money.
 
boating rich said:
Olddan1943. What LED strips did you use? I have purchased some of the roll led for $15 and they seem too cheap but work well if you can get them to stick.

When the adhesive failed I used a T-50 staple gun with monel staples.

Rob
Click to expand...
 
The one thing I would love to have with my analog engine is fuel flow. The gas ones are affordable, but the diesel ones are an arm and leg times two.
 
Lots of solutions to problems I don't have in the modern boats. PO upgraded the electronics on our 42 y/o Hatteras and now the autopilot can do clover leafs! Whopdeedoo....

I do need an inverter. And either new analog engine gauges that are somewhat accurate or digital gauges that look somewhat period. And fuel flow.
 
Yeah, I don't have dynamic positioning, darn it.
 
koliver said:
Since you are only dreaming: https://www.westmarine.com/buy/todd...-captain-s-chair-package--8773491?recordNum=5

I have one like this, and it stands between the fixed back to back seating, though as tight to one side as possible. In that position, getting past is easy, and the seating position gives me a much better view, being about 15" higher than on the benches. I can easily reach engine controls, radio and plotter controls. No other modification to the seating has suggested itself to me.

A roof would add to the venturi effect that even my Bimini creates, so that when driving from up top, the Bimini gets folded back to eliminate the cold wind created by that venturi effect. A fixed roof would make that effect permanent, so would then necessitate a full enclosure.
Click to expand...
Thanks, koliver. We actually do have 2 Todd helm chairs now. At the helm I have it mounted on a wood base that wedges in where the original cushions go at the helm. It works great, and sits up nice and high. However, it looks hokey and was meant to be temporary -- over 4,000 miles of cruising ago :)
I would like to build out something that looks a lot better, but to do it right would be a full remodel of the flying bridge seating. I have not figured out what I would do just yet.
As for the roof -- no worries here on cold wind. We will point south if that ever happens. I understand it would be a concern up there, though. A large hardtop up on the bridge would be great for where we use the boat. Maybe someday....
 
koliver said:
Since you are only dreaming: https://www.westmarine.com/buy/todd...-captain-s-chair-package--8773491?recordNum=5

I have one like this, and it stands between the fixed back to back seating, though as tight to one side as possible. In that position, getting past is easy, and the seating position gives me a much better view, being about 15" higher than on the benches. I can easily reach engine controls, radio and plotter controls. No other modification to the seating has suggested itself to me.

A roof would add to the venturi effect that even my Bimini creates, so that when driving from up top, the Bimini gets folded back to eliminate the cold wind created by that venturi effect. A fixed roof would make that effect permanent, so would then necessitate a full enclosure.
Click to expand...

This is what I have done to the forward half of my starboard back to back seating.
 

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kthoennes said:
My wife and I made the mistake of touring a Carver 37 coupe at a boat show last year. The bathrooms had heated floors. Wonder if I can get an electric blanket as big as a front-porch welcome mat instead and accomplish the same thing?
Click to expand...

How big a pad are you looking for?
There are quite a few electric heating pads made to walk or stand on available. Probably not designed to be cut to length / width though.
https://www.amazon.com/Cozy-Products-FWB-Warmer-Warming/dp/B0013V1PYA
 
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