Your best mod for the least money

[Starscream]

I think this one is near the top of the list. Makes it super easy to haul the wheel around during docking, and provides a non-visual way of confirming the steering center point.

What's yours?

[LordElsinore]

I really like these $12 cleats that I put on my lifeline stantions:





I use them to hang jib sheets, halyard, spinnaker sheets, roller furler line etc on to keep them out of the way.

Here an Amazon link if you're interested:

https://amzn.to/3RHv7AW

[LordElsinore]

Ha, also in that last picture above laying on the deck you can see my DIY whisker pole for sailing wing on wing, which can go in this category too. It's an old painters pole with a sawed-off paint roller screwed on then end so that it has a "spike". You put that end in the eyelet of the jib sail where the sheets tie on and then on the other end there is an epoxied-on little grabber deal that grabs a plastic padeye that screws to the mast.

(The more "legit" way to go for this is https://shop.bwyachts.com/product-p/3813-1v4.htm)

This mod was basically free from old junk, but I did pay a few dollars to BWY for the padeye brackets for the mast. I also use those padeye brackets as a place to clip my lazyjack lines when not in use, and they work nicely for that.

[NiceAft]

We are currently cruising the Chesapeake. It has been a consistent 90+ f (32.2c) and high humidity. I previously bought a 5000 BTU air conditioner


It’s not a $12 cleat, but $159 is Pennies when it come to sleeping comfortably. Hook up to the electric at any marina we stop at and sleep under a blanket.

It fits in the companion way. I cut out a piece of thin plywood to fill the side gaps. It is heaven.

[OverEasy]

Hi All!

Our best low cost mod were the retrieval strings for out fwd and mid fenders.
Total cost was ‘zip’ as we used some waste para-cord (that I’d been “hangingontoforwaytoolong”).
Simply tied one end onto the lower end of the fenders and then looped the free end over our mid cleats.
No more climbing on the cabin deck or trying to snag them with the boat hook.
Simple and easy and neater too!

Best Regards
Over Easy

[OverEasy]

Hi LordElsinore!

Love your “Solar Wings” idea!
Nice arrangement and locating for ease of adjustment and cleaning!
Rather brilliant and elegant!

Best Regards,
Over Easy

[Stickinthemud57]

Putting a spring between the wingnut and the bottom of the forward hatch latch allows me to simply pull down on the latch to engage or release it rather than having to loosen or tighten the nut every time. The spring and locking wingnut were already "in inventory", so total cost was zero.



Not as cheap was the stainless steel support springs installed at the forward hatch and lazarette. Two for $20 at Amazon. For those not familiar with them, they hold the hatch open when straight and fold up when you bend them. I made an adjustment track for the forward hatch, but I never use it. As set it holds the hatch at about a 60 degree angle, and can be fully opened (so that it is laying on the deck aft of the opening) without any damage to the spring. Only disadvantage is that if you accidently knock it it will fold, hitting your head or foot as the case may be.



Not so much a mod as a hack, my 26S has a built-in anchor holder at the pulpit:

[LordElsinore]

Love your “Solar Wings” idea!
Nice arrangement and locating for ease of adjustment and cleaning!
Rather brilliant and elegant!

Best Regards,
Over Easy

Thanks! I stole the idea from the boat on the "Sailing Millenium Falcon" YouTube channel. They have a solar panel out each side like that. For the last two years I've had that big 200 watt panel hanging off the back attached to the mast support with some additional SS struts coming up from the stern seats. But I haven't liked the stress it puts on the mast support or the fact that I had to keep telling people not to use those extra supports as grab handles getting in the boat.

I'm still experimenting with it coming off the side like that, but so far after 4 or 5 sailing trips with them like that it seems a lot better. I'm temporarily using a galvanized electrical conduit pipe to connected to the lifeline stanchions with bimini parts, and PVC pipe with rubber feet to support from underneath from the gunnel, but I have plans this weekend to replace with a nice solid stainless steel tube that got delivered yesterday.

It feels a lot more sturdy than when it was hanging off the back, especially if I leave it connected and folded down while towing for a short distance, and lots easier to remove when towing long distance than it was when it was mounted up higher.

My only concern is how it will handle 20 degree+ heels, very heavy wind, etc. Folding down should be fine for wind. Might need to figure out a way to secure it up or down for big heel. Clamps holding it up to the lifeline will probably be my first answer for that.

[LordElsinore]

Putting a spring between the wingnut and the bottom of the forward hatch latch allows me to simply pull down on the latch to engage or release it rather than having to loosen or tighten the nut every time.

Genius! I will be trying that and your anchor idea out this weekend!

[Stickinthemud57]

Putting a spring between the wingnut and the bottom of the forward hatch latch allows me to simply pull down on the latch to engage or release it rather than having to loosen or tighten the nut every time.

Genius! I will be trying that and your anchor idea out this weekend!

Glad to hear it. Do be sure to leave the retainer bolt in place and secure the anchor with a bungee cord or the sort.

[Russ]

Forward hatch. Right.

Replaced Roger's cheap hatch fastener that seemed pretty cheesy and easy to break



With a quality latch


Then of course, added the missing arm to hold the hatch open.

[kmclemore]

Nice, Russ.

One of these days I’m gonna come up with a kit to add gas struts to the forward hatch, with a small handle or strap to pull it back down. Much easier.

[pitchpolehobie]

Breaking up with an Ex so I could sail more
Cost 0$
Value priceless

[Russ]

One of these days I’m gonna come up with a kit to add gas struts to the forward hatch, with a small handle or strap to pull it back down. Much easier.

Interesting idea. But would that allow the hatch to be partial open? I often leave it open 45 degrees as a scoop.

Of course I'm still toying with the 12v actuator idea.

[kmclemore]

One of these days I’m gonna come up with a kit to add gas struts to the forward hatch, with a small handle or strap to pull it back down. Much easier.

Interesting idea. But would that allow the hatch to be partial open? I often leave it open 45 degrees as a scoop.

Of course I'm still toying with the 12v actuator idea.

Absolutely. I would design it to keep the stock locking strut, and use that to lock it where you like.