features you have on your boat that you never use

[Cutwater28GG]

Reading the recent post on the inverter and how people use them during the winter got me thinking about the gear on the boat I have but never use.

We get a ton of use of our cutwater 28 out in the PNW all year, but despite this there are few features that we never use

1. the wine fridge
2. the inverter - seriously in 5 years I have never even turned it on. everything we do is 12v or gas.
3. the fishing pole holders
4. the bimini. I thought I would use it more, but its been permanently off the boat now for 3 years.
5. converting the table to a bed in the main salon. Just once in 5 years and then gave up as at 6 feet I can't lie straight.
6. searchlight
7. Displaying the plotter on the tv.

Things that get more use than I expected

1. 12v USB adapters - probably aligns with the inverter comment!
2. Solar
3. radar
4. Autopilot. I pretty much dont drive by hand until the destination/docking.

I'm sure every boat owner has a different experience but its a good reminder that having all the features doesnt mean you use them!

 

[SJI Sailor]

C30 and have never used in two years:
Downriggers
Fishing poles
Searchlight (yet)
Docking light (yet)
DVD player (yet)
Chartplotter mirroring on either TV
Shower (yet)
TV in the salon
Galley seat to bed conversion

Rarely use:
Microwave
Raw water intake (head has freshwater conversion)
Transom shower
Bow seating

Use more than expected:
12v adapters for USB
Defrost fan to keep windows less foggy
Autopilot
Radar (often see small vessels there first)
Helm window to look out when docking
Windshield wipers for bow spray
Vinegar spray bottle to clean those windows!
Full cockpit enclosure
Storage in the cave (and really everywhere possible)
Sirius XM weather (yeah, pricey but I really like seeing winds on the chartplotter)
Dual chartplotter (actually expected this but it is so true)
Sonar
Low speed / trolling mode on Volvo (great for marinas)

Use more than I should, probably:
Bow and stern thrusters

 

[BradOwens]

Interesting that some people don't get much use out of the inverter. We use ours a lot to run the microwave to warm leftovers etc.

 

[scross]

Never have used in 5 seasons:
Inverter (tested once)
Macerator to pump black water overboard
Shower as a shower (but do use shower head for various tasks)
Rod holders
PLB, flares and other safety gear (thank goodness!)
Dinette table as bunk (but have tested to ensure it would work)
Cave cushion
Emergency rotary switch between house and starter battery banks

Everything else I use on a fairly regular or at least occasional basis including a portable microwave, and a laptop for watching movies and/or playing music through Clarion/JL Audio stereo system.
Biggest plus that I had no idea I’d grow to love is the heading hold function of the autopilot!

 

[ethanbarnett]

You folks need to explore more. We have used everything and then some during our nearly 4 years of ownership.

 

[503west]

We never will use the oven or stove. We eat out or microwave frozen food. The last place I would want to cook would be in the small space of a boat. A real shower would be great. How about a fart fan.... We only use the v berth bed on the boat. The other beds would be like asking friends to sleep in a small pup tent with us. Go buy your own tent and anchor next to us. I think half of the stuff that is put on boat is so that we can invision playing house when we are at the boat show. After that reality sets in.

 

[Red Raven]

It’s all about how you use you boat. Our use is quite varied. What we use on the boat is different when: cruising log distance, boating overnight with our daughter on board, day trips with friends, weekend trips to Marinas (Rendezvous!), isolating during COVID or just because, shrimping in the San Juans, etc. etc. Each of these trips have different needs and different equipment is used. In our case I can honestly say we have used every feature provided on the boat at least once (except the PLBs and safety gear but they are staying with us anyway!), and when you need it you need it. For these reasons we appreciate all the equipment provided (And some we have added!) I personally want to be prepared for most any trip possibilities without much hassle so we keep nearly everything on the boat at all times without much trip modification. The main variation in set up would be the sleeping cushions and linens for when we have a guest, biking equipment for when biking is an option, trips where there will be fish or shrimp, and long term cruises (multiple weeks) for when storage space is critical.

Here are a few use specifics on our R27 Classic:
Solar: indispensable. Added second solar panel.
Inverter: every trip, usually to run the microwave while under way to heat lunch or thaw frozen items but very occasionally to heat hot water while one the hook multiple days (with the main engine running!).
Microwave: Often. See above.
Propane Range: all the time. Bought the R27 over of the R25 for this feature!
Additional 12v chest freezer: indispensable. Packed full every trip with prepared food for the trip or with shrimp or crab on the at home.
Overboard Macerator: every 4 days or so on trips where pump out is not available.
Shower: Every morning.
Dinette Table bunk: used twice in 6 years but necessary for those fun trips with friends.
Cave cushions: used once or twice annually as our daughters bunk when she visits. Preferred over the dinette for one person.
Rod holders: only used to temporarily hold fishing pole when not in use. Kinda handy though. Not a big fisherman though beyond crab and shrimp.
TV and DVD player: have almost never use broadcast TV, used to use DVD player often, now use iPad more often for movies etc. with streaming options etc. IPad can be set up easier for viewing in V-berth which is more comfortable. Still have DVDs available on the boat if no other option. Have used TV to mirror the Garmin when guests are on board for a day trip.
Vinegar for windows: nearly every day!
Defrost fans: All the time when weather is bad. Too bad they don’t help much!
Autopilot: Every trip every day. Heading hold and auto route (Guide To)
Sirius XM, Second Chartplotter etc.: I use an iPad for all backup systems including all weather forecasts (Windy) and navigation (Navionics).
Sonar: Every trip, especially for anchoring and shrimping.
Radar: indispensable when you need it. Wouldn’t consider traveling without it. Have spent nearly all day in the fog at times with nothing but GPS and Radar.
Kayak: occasional
Dinghy: often, indispensable
Dinghy motor: Not often but necessary when distances are great.

My point is: Think about how you will use the boat, even if it is just occasional use. You will appreciate many items only when when you really need them!

Curt

 

[Submariner]

Things we didn't think we'd use, but do:
Autopilot
shower

Things that we use more than we expected
Radar
Inverter
Microwave
coffee
house battery bank
solar

Things we don't use:
Table in the V-Berth (in the dining table position).
The TV Antenna
The Safety Flares (hope we never need them!)

 

[CaspersCruiser]

As stated above, it is all about how one uses the boat. I’ll start at the bow and work to stern.

Windlass— Not a lot, but increasing. Most cruises involve marina overnights
Cuddy— Sleeping quarters when needed. Storage of large bulky times at times
Windshield wipers— When needed
Defrost fans— Never for intended purpose. Have reversed grates to provide cabin air circulation a couple times
Fusion stereo— If music desired when the boat is stationary
TV/DVD— A fair amount when boat is stationary
VHF radio/Chartplotter/Autopilot— Every time the boat moves
Radar— During low light or night. Use at times during day to familiarize. Have not had to cruise in fog and don’t cruise at night unless in familiar waters
Searchlight— Hardly ever because of poor location
Table bed— A few times. Nice to have when needed
Microwave— When eating lunch underway, used to heat leftovers. Used at times when needed while cooking meals
Inverter— Powers microwave when not on shore power or generator. Have not used for other purposes
Refrigerator— Almost every time the boat moves
Sink/Fresh water system— All the time. Carry 7-gallon Aquatainer for potable water
Propane stove/oven— We eat well on “Cookie”. Used all the time
A/C and reverse cycle heat— when needed. Couldn’t live in the southeast U.S. without A/C
Quarter berth— Not once has it been used as intended. Storage only
Head/Shower— Used often for intended purposes. We look at marina facilities and decide which we’d rather use
Generator— Sparingly, but nice to have when needed
Washdown pump— Occasionally, especially to clean anchor
Rod holders— Never
Overboard macerator— Only a couple times on the water. Use when winterizing. Have dedicated hose bucket
Bimini— Always
Grill— Some meals. Not used as much as I anticipated
Dinghy— Rarely taken. Just haven’t cruised where one was necessary

 

[CAPTCRUNCH]

For those who rarely or never use the boat's radar, you should at least be familiar with the following from the USCG NavCen FAQ [bold added]:

11. Am I required to have Radar? Radar is not required on vessels under 1600 GT (33 CFR 164.35), however, Rule 7 states that proper use shall be made of radar equipment if fitted and operational. In other words, whoever has one must use it. The Navigation Rules are not meant to discourage the use of any device, rather they expect prudent mariners to avail themselves of all available means appropriate...as to make full appraisal of the situation (Rule 5), e.g. the use of radar. At issue is whether the use of radar is appropriate in the prevailing circumstances and that is a determination made by the Master; and, ultimately decided by a trier of fact.

 

[Beardco]

That was an interesting set of comments to read. It is reminiscent of my conversations with Campervan owners. We have a Sprinter van RV and space is tight but, it is has everything for living in it.

I spoke with an owner who said they never slept in it; always stayed in hotels. Only cooked meals in the RV.
I spoke with another owner who said they only slept in it and ate all meals in restaurants.

For us, we lived in ours completely. Ate, slept, showered, etc... We put it on a ship and spent 1.5 years in Europe. McDonalds will cost you $30 in Norway. There was not a single feature that we did not use on a daily basis. We even had a canvas extension that added 100 square feet of living space under the roll-out awning.

I take delivery of my 31CB this coming week, and I foresee using every feature it has. One of the nicest features for me is the outdoor shower. The wine frig.? Not a big deal but, when living onboard, you always run out of cold storage.

 

[Rehack]

Cutwater28GG, thank you for asking this question. We’ve had our boat less than a year; ‘have spent just over three months on her so I’m not qualified to add my two cents yet, but reading the thread really makes me want to get back out on the water! This provides great feedback on some of the adds we are considering. Also, it’s interesting to see some of the differences between boaters in the southeast vs boaters in the PNW. A fresh water shower on a boat in the south is a wonderful thing and we don’t have an oven but I can’t imagine using one for most of the year down here.

 

[Martin610]

Good thread.

I use virtually everything except the wine cooler. Doesn't keep wine cold enough for us. Instead I use it to store water bottles we use for cooking.

I did not think I would use the reverse cycle heat as much as we do. It's wonderful to get the dampness out of the boat in the early and late season. Didn't appreciate the genny as much as I do until it was on the fritz for a couple of weeks. Really glad that's fixed.

My boat didn't have AIS when I bought it. I added that, very glad to have that available especially at night. Nice complement to radar. We use this boat in the ocean, sometimes at night.

I also added a small freezer as the fridge freezer compartment is very small.

Love the cruise control. I think it reduces fatigue and helps me to keep a better and more alert lookout.

We cook at home, so we cook quite a bit on the boat. We have found the ventilation to be very effective. We have the electric range so there is less heat escaping than with propane. Induction would probably be even better.

I also like to fish, so all the rod holders are used.

So, as mentioned, it depends on what you're into.

I will say that its very hard to add certain things after the boat is built.

-martin

 

[Rocky Lou]

Regarding fridges and AC:
I keep house batteries on always at dock:
- Bait in Cockpit Bait fridge and large container of Zero filtered water that won't fit in the main fridge
- Galley Main Fridge: keep condiments, snacks and drinks
- Love the Wine Fridge...it's switched off unless we are spending the night or having a party. It's awesome describing the boat as fishing capable and a wine fridge...all my fishing buddies reply, 'sign me up'.

 

[scross]

Not to hijack the thread, but Curt brought up an interesting point about different uses for the same boat by the same owner over the season. I believe he lives pretty close to his launch point, Oak Harbor, and off season keeps the boat at his home.
Owning a Tug and being close to the water is a very different proposition for him compared to those of us who live and keep our boats far from the water. I used to think we were the outliers living 10 hours from our cruising ground launch point but over the years I have met a whole bunch of owners that have a big drive (towing or not) to get to their boat to the water.
For those of us further away from the water, I think the normal use of the boat is more consistent. At least it is for us. I like to fish but I’m not driving 10 hours each way to fish for a day or even two. Nor do I want to spend $210 for a set of non-resident fishing licenses. I’m not doing that drive to take friends out for a day cruise or even an overnighter at a local marina. Our friends don’t want to drive 10 hours each way for a boat ride either.
Because it’s a big deal to get to the water our trips are planned out and probably average much longer (10-24 days) than those of you who have the luxury of driving 15 minutes to the boat for an evening cruise.
Because we use the boat for the same purpose every time, the boat is equipped the same for each trip. And I tend to use the same equipment the same amount and the same way each trip. Only the scenery, destinations, weather, tides and waves change but that’s enough for us!

 

[fishheadbarandgrill]

Never Use:

Wine Fridge - removed in favor of more storage
XM weather
Thruster Remote
Tilt/rotating Captain's seat function
Cave cushion - removed and replaced with carpet
Raw water wash down pump.
Magnetic Compass (yes, I know it's a backup)
Windshield wipers - Rainex on all windows
Macerator/Overboard discharge pump (used it all the time on my previous sailboat, but with less offshore transits, not really needed but glad I have it)
Rod holders
Bimini Boot
Fold down desk in V-berth (replacing next month with large magazine rack.
Rope lights around V-berth.

Rarely Use:

Microwave
Inverter
Radar
Engine driven cabin heater (but glad I have it when I need it)
Autopilot remote
Generator (I run it at least monthly. We have a 330W LG panel so we are always 100% by early afternoon)
TV in V-berth

 

[Martin610]

I forgot to mention the red lights we have in the cabin. Don't use them much, but glad to have them. Preserves night vision but still illuminates the cabin enough to move around safely.

 

[Matty]

We use the inverter to run a fan and need the bimini for sure as we have sunny weather.
Any trip before 9:00 a.m. we (first mate) needs the oven for fresh blueberry muffins.
During these times we appreciate our own bathroom.
Auto pilot - i originally thought i would hardly use it in the busy intracoastal. Could not have been more wrong.
It is all about where you live and how you use the RT that will drive the answers...but i do need my blueberry muffins and coffee.