Category: Boat Refit Help
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Outfitting a New Boat: Things Every Boater Needs
Whether you buy a new or new-to-you boat, your first task is to outfit it. It’s pretty easy to come across lists of the things you MUST have, thanks to the Coast Guard and state authorities. But these lists don’t provide any recommendations, and we’ve learned many things about these items. You should also have…
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Starlink Alternatives for Boaters, Van-lifers, and RVs
Starlink has rocked the boating world like the transformative technology it is. Boats that cruise the Bahamas or other rural areas have spouted Dishys like fungus. RVs love it, too, because they can boondock anywhere and still be connected for work and play. But Elon Musk, on track to become the world’s first trillionaire, has…
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Galley Tips for Reducing Propane Use on a Boat
As new technologies emerge, things become chic and fashionable in boat outfitting. A recent trend I’ve noticed is boaters ditching their propane galley stoves and ovens in favor of electric appliances. So, is it worth the expense? Can a small boat retain its off-the-grid efficiency and still ditch propane? Here’s a look at how we…
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Product Review: Our Experience with Coppercoat
Note: We have no affiliation or marketing arrangement with Coppercoat. We paid full price for the product after years of research and had no extra help during the application process. Coppercoat anti-foul coating is a fascinating product that’s been on the market for decades, but it’s polarizing and plagued by misunderstandings, misinformation, and some very…
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Thoughts on Fire Prevention and Safety for Boaters
When you hear about something crazy happening in the boating world, some accident, tragedy, or close call, what do you do? Do you shake your head and say, “What an idiot, that’ll never happen to me!” Or do you say, “That’s terrible, what steps can I take to make sure that never happens to me?”…
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Rethinking Cockpit Canvas
By Matt Claiborne (Originally written for submission to Good Old Boat, which went out of business concurrently with my hitting “send.” Oh, well.) Am I the only sailor who spends hours on passage coming up with grand ways that things could be better? Days of chugging down the ICW or dark nights of pounding offshore…
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Trelino Composting Toilet Review — A Boater’s Take on a New Marine Composting Toilet
Disclaimer: Trelino provided us with an Evo M composting toilet to try. What follows is our honest take on this toilet for use on our sailboat. If you’ve ever engaged me in a conversation about toilets (and really, why haven’t you?), you probably know my feelings about our boat’s human litter box composting head. We’ve…
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AIS vs. Radar — Real World Boater Perspectives From Cruising
If you’re outfitting a new-to-you boat or thinking about going cruising, you may find yourself having to choose between AIS or radar. There is a lot of information on the topic, including advice from experts more knowledgeable than yours. However, as a former pilot and a cruising sailor who has used these two techniques every…
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Does My Boat Need a Generator in 2024?
Conventional thinking is that a liveaboard cruising boat should have a generator. Sure, plenty of people make do without one, and many arguments exist against getting one. But a few key modern technologies are making them increasingly less important. Let’s examine marine generators from the cruising boater’s perspective. What Is a Marine Generator Really For?…
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Marine Air Conditioning — Do I Need Air Conditioning On My Boat?
This is the second article in a series about big accessories that we often wonder—do I really need that on my boat? Watermakers, generators, and air conditioning are generally things you will have on your want list, but should they be on your “must-have” list? Keep your cool, man. Here are my thoughts on marine…