What did you spent a lot of time on and rarely use?

P

Peter_BDA

New member
Hey all, after the first season of boating with my 22' I am surprised at how things have turned out; what I spent a lot of time on and never use and what I really need.

For example, I spent a lot of time sorting out the dinette table and have used it once! I find I like it better down and use the area like a couch! By comparison I need a better eating area and seating in the aft cockpit. Go figure....

What did you spent a lot of time on and rarely use vs what you know you need now?

Peter
 
This may change as txhe weather gets cooler but I spent a fair amount of money getting the wallas functioning so that we could cook on the boat. Instead I just use the kuuma BBQ. Maybe we'use the wallas for heating in the winter.
 
interesting question. and as I think about it I cant think about anything on the 27 that I don't use. I spent a lot of time on the kitchen but Susan loves it and we cook all the time on the boat.

The windlass was a real project and even thought it should be back another foot to work properly, we use it all the time. best thing I did to the boat. combined with the dinghy we are able to pull over almost any where and take the dog to shore. It allows us to not be tied to a dock or even a bay. Just find a spot out of the wind close to shore in 10 to 40 ft of water and throw that dinghy in after we anchor.

I also spent a lot of time rigging the downriggers and the other fishing gear and we all know I use that a lot.

The espar heater was a big job for the install but I use it a lot in the winter/ summer we have had so far. So I guess that I cant think of something I spent a lot of time on because knew from the 22 and years of boating what was important to us.
 
My black 1965 Volkswagen Notchback [restoration]. It's been over 4 yrs and I have less than 1,200 miles on her. I'd thought I'd drive it more.

But boating is so much more relaxing & stress free and allows Meredith to enjoy the hobby WITH me instead of me going off w/ others.

As far as the boat goes, I'd say our dinghy. But if we have MORE TIME, we'd use it more.
 
I spent a lot of time and thought (mostly thought) on the so-called Dinette Conversion. While it still allows for the original table/gaucho arrangement, we have not had the left side in that configuration since the "conversion"...not even once. The Dinette Conversion has been well used!

On the other hand, the system to pull up the fenders and run with them along the sides has never been used. I did not spend a lot of time on this project, but I did give it a lot of thought. I still think it would work well when running canals, such as the Erie. (But, to date, I still hang the fender boards I built, another system that works well...along with hanging a couple fenders when going through the locks.)

See photo album illustrating both projects.
 
thataway":2vtmhtwg said:
Inverters to use the microwave--and didn't.
Click to expand...

I did the same, but DO USE the microwave, mostly because the microwave now sits on top of my 3-burner propane stove along with some fishing gear that makes the stove hard to use!

Microwave= Easy heating source, but no fancy meals!

But I don't like to take the time to cook difficult stuff, so no loss there!

My wife doesn't like to spend much time aboard, so all the cooking utensils and paraphanelia (sp.?) are pretty much dead weight!

Joe :lol: :thup
 
With every boat that replaced the previous one, I find myself scaling down

1. First boat had a drop down video player with DVD hooked up to the boat's speakers, a stereo and satellite radio
2. Second boat had a carry-on portable DVD player, stereo and satellite radio
3. current boat, just a radio.

I also did away with the fridge, head, sink, stove...

Maybe a little extreme! :-)
 
thataway":2ckugx0f said:
Inverters to use the microwave--and didn't.
Click to expand...

I haven't used that same microwave either. I need to remember how Bob told me it turns on :roll: So many switches, batteries, fuses and combiners. Oh My! But fun though...Now to read the instruction manuals (in my spare time :shock: , if I ever get any of that!!)

Charlie
 
My Tomcat came with a microwave but w/o the inverter system to run it when I wasn't on shore power. I quickly replaced it with a toaster/convection oven (still without the inverter). I've used that plenty already. I don't yet have a grill on board but we've done some very good steak, salmon and even some baking (cinnamon rolls) in the convection oven. Unlike Joe, I'm not in a hurry for my food and taste is the most important factor. The convection oven is a far better tool in my mind.

As for things I've bought bought (or was given as gifts) that haven't been used -
1) A WestMarine 12V portable vacuum cleaner - it's easier to either sweep or wipe.
2) A 12V window heater/defroster (no fan, just convection, doesn't work worth a crap).
3) 100's of extra ss fasteners that I bought a few extras of every time I went to the store (they'll probably get used someday).
4) A hand pump for changing the oil - I've got more money than time right now in my life.
5) A variety of misc. do-dads for holding/rigging fenders and a number of different fenders. I've wound up with fairly simple methods for fending and now only carry just the fenders I need (2 8" ones) + two inflatable stowaway fenders for that unanticipated situation.
6) LOTS of fishing lures - I've now narrowed things down to a small number that work consistently in a variety of conditions.
7) Some 12V electrical blankets that have only been used a few times.

I'm sure there's other stuff, but that's all I can think of for now.
 
After crossing Lakes Erie, Huron, and Michigan in spring fog, I spent a lot of time installing radar, which I've since only turned on occasionally to practice and make sure it's still working. But I'd do it again.
 
I hope we have all spent lots of time, thought, effort, planning and money on safety, emergency, repair, and rescue equipment we've never used except in dry runs.
 
I spent a lot of time and money on the boat that we've rarely used the last five years. The poor things just sits under it's cover all summer and gets run now and then in the fall & spring. I sometimes think I should sell it and buy one of them there fancy tomcats when I retire from my summer job but, it doesn't cost much of anything to maintain and it's nice to get out on it once in awile...I kept badgering the boss this summer to give me a deal on his 30' tomcat but he said if he did he'd end up with a boat & a captain stuck in Ilwaco all summer and it was a no win situation for him

as far as useless bling, I put in a little computer fan on the overhead to help defrost the window...waste. Bought, prehaps the same 12v window defroster Roger has, waste. The little wallas stove doesn't do much
 
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