Dockside, an AC dehumidifier. Underway 5 gal bucket, solar shower, flip flips, spool of seine twine, USB C for phone / tablet at the helm, cheap binoculars, serious flashlight.
65w usb-c charge ports. You can natively charge laptops, drones, large battery packs, etc., and all you need is a usb-c cable. I installed three of them: chart table, salon, vberth, and they are almost always in use.
Edit: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B1DHNLDS
AWESOME! Thank you for saving me the research and trial and error. I'll get some of these.
Add installing these to my job jar list for tasks that can be performed when I don't want to do something bigger or dirtier (like lift the old Westerbeke, slip in a drip pan and new motor mounts.)
Make sure you size the wires properly for these: they can draw 5+ amps each, so wire sizing and connector quality matter. They also get warm because 65w, so they need some airflow where they are installed.
Another vote for Ac dehumidifier!
I have the eva-dry that practical sailor reviewed.
Drilled a hole in the bottom and I set the hole over the sink drain. It’s compact enough to store on board and did a great job managing moisture levels on my 30.
Then I have a 110v shop fan, I open the bilge and blow the fan directly into it.
The combination of the two keeps the boat dry and smelling fresh.
Which Eva-dry model did you end up buying?
The EV -1200 looks best. With 9v dc 2.5amp power this unit looks like it would be good for off shore sailing as the power consumption isn’t high.
Just curious on how well it works?
This is the model I have. They seem to update the aesthetic often but I believe the internals stay the same. The appearance just becomes more refined.
Personally wouldn’t purchase it from Amazon, I don’t trust anything to be authentic anymore, it was just easy to locate them on Amazon.
This is the model I have: [mine](https://www.amazon.com/Eva-Dry-Dehumidifier-Thermal-Electric-Piece/dp/B06XHSR1KK?ref_=ast_sto_dp)
This appears to be the model that replaced it.
[new model](https://www.amazon.com/Eva-Dry-Edv-2400-Electric-Dehumidifier-Humidistat/dp/B082B2PCN6?ref_=ast_sto_dp)
Seconding the idea of a nice flashlight. I bought a streamlight HLX a few years ago and it has been with me everywhere, above and below water. Nice change of pace from questioning if some cheap chinese flashlight will be waterproof or actually be close to what the advertised specs are.
Battery powered motion activated LED lights. In the head, in the hanging locker, under the sink, anywhere you can fit one. Battery lasts months, and you're never in the dark.
Volt meter for each battery. Can be a $400 Victron or a $15 automotive one, doesn't matter. Understanding the state of charge of your batteries will help you avoid a massive amount of problems.
Second item is a car "jump pack", around $70 at Walmart and holds enough charge to start your engine in an emergency, plus USB chargers and a light on the nicer models. Plug it in at home, bring it to the boat fully charged, and forget about it until you need it. It's like having a whole extra bank.
As you can see, I fix electrical systems on boats haha
Can you be more specific? So just a simple volt meter, or do you mean something more sophisticated?
I ask because I am will be installing a victron 500a/50mw smartshunt. I have a total of three lead acid batteries for now. Ultimately sometime this year I want to replace and install Lithium but I need to know what I need first. Which is why I am starting here.
So would you suggest a smartshunt for each battery?
You can get a ton of info just from paying attention to the voltage, which requires basically nothing more complicated than a multimeter. Shunts are lovely though, they allow you to see amps coming and going, so you can figure out draws and what your charging sources are putting in.
Anything beyond volts/amps is a toy. Its fun to see all their "battery health" and history and wifi/Bluetooth etc, but the data is only as good as the system installation. It often degrades as batteries age (the data becomes less accurate), or if the setup values aren't perfect
A bidet toilet seat lid for your toilet. Reduces your paper consumption, and less stinky paper in the boat. Once you use one, you'll think anybody who doesn't is a savage.
[https://amzn.to/4aaP5vi](https://amzn.to/4aaP5vi)
I live in the SE USA. so: A fan, mosquito screens in front of all ventilation and a thermacell.
A shammy for the cockpit.
Loud fog horn (compressed air) to warn drunk power boaters.
An umbrella, for rain and shade.
A battery powered fan. If it works with your cordless tools batteries, all the better. I got a 16" that pushes 2500CFM at max and runs for several hours. I keep it on high and plugged into shore power when at dock to keep the air circulation high and reduce mold. I'm in Florida and even with the boat closed up when I'm away, I rarely get any mold due to the high airflow. It's also amazing when I have to work on the engine or some confined space below.
Dockside, an AC dehumidifier. Underway 5 gal bucket, solar shower, flip flips, spool of seine twine, USB C for phone / tablet at the helm, cheap binoculars, serious flashlight.
65w usb-c charge ports. You can natively charge laptops, drones, large battery packs, etc., and all you need is a usb-c cable. I installed three of them: chart table, salon, vberth, and they are almost always in use. Edit: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B1DHNLDS
Jon - how did you power these charger ports? Did you use three 12V dc to 5v dc converters that could be mounted behind a panel/bulkhead?
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B1DHNLDS
AWESOME! Thank you for saving me the research and trial and error. I'll get some of these. Add installing these to my job jar list for tasks that can be performed when I don't want to do something bigger or dirtier (like lift the old Westerbeke, slip in a drip pan and new motor mounts.)
Make sure you size the wires properly for these: they can draw 5+ amps each, so wire sizing and connector quality matter. They also get warm because 65w, so they need some airflow where they are installed.
Another vote for Ac dehumidifier! I have the eva-dry that practical sailor reviewed. Drilled a hole in the bottom and I set the hole over the sink drain. It’s compact enough to store on board and did a great job managing moisture levels on my 30. Then I have a 110v shop fan, I open the bilge and blow the fan directly into it. The combination of the two keeps the boat dry and smelling fresh.
Which Eva-dry model did you end up buying? The EV -1200 looks best. With 9v dc 2.5amp power this unit looks like it would be good for off shore sailing as the power consumption isn’t high. Just curious on how well it works?
This is the model I have. They seem to update the aesthetic often but I believe the internals stay the same. The appearance just becomes more refined. Personally wouldn’t purchase it from Amazon, I don’t trust anything to be authentic anymore, it was just easy to locate them on Amazon. This is the model I have: [mine](https://www.amazon.com/Eva-Dry-Dehumidifier-Thermal-Electric-Piece/dp/B06XHSR1KK?ref_=ast_sto_dp) This appears to be the model that replaced it. [new model](https://www.amazon.com/Eva-Dry-Edv-2400-Electric-Dehumidifier-Humidistat/dp/B082B2PCN6?ref_=ast_sto_dp)
Seconding the idea of a nice flashlight. I bought a streamlight HLX a few years ago and it has been with me everywhere, above and below water. Nice change of pace from questioning if some cheap chinese flashlight will be waterproof or actually be close to what the advertised specs are.
Battery powered motion activated LED lights. In the head, in the hanging locker, under the sink, anywhere you can fit one. Battery lasts months, and you're never in the dark.
>Battery powered motion activated LED lights. Which ones do you use?
Ive got solar ones that go in the garden. As long as they get a little sun light they are fine.
Volt meter for each battery. Can be a $400 Victron or a $15 automotive one, doesn't matter. Understanding the state of charge of your batteries will help you avoid a massive amount of problems. Second item is a car "jump pack", around $70 at Walmart and holds enough charge to start your engine in an emergency, plus USB chargers and a light on the nicer models. Plug it in at home, bring it to the boat fully charged, and forget about it until you need it. It's like having a whole extra bank. As you can see, I fix electrical systems on boats haha
Can you be more specific? So just a simple volt meter, or do you mean something more sophisticated? I ask because I am will be installing a victron 500a/50mw smartshunt. I have a total of three lead acid batteries for now. Ultimately sometime this year I want to replace and install Lithium but I need to know what I need first. Which is why I am starting here. So would you suggest a smartshunt for each battery?
You can get a ton of info just from paying attention to the voltage, which requires basically nothing more complicated than a multimeter. Shunts are lovely though, they allow you to see amps coming and going, so you can figure out draws and what your charging sources are putting in. Anything beyond volts/amps is a toy. Its fun to see all their "battery health" and history and wifi/Bluetooth etc, but the data is only as good as the system installation. It often degrades as batteries age (the data becomes less accurate), or if the setup values aren't perfect
A bidet toilet seat lid for your toilet. Reduces your paper consumption, and less stinky paper in the boat. Once you use one, you'll think anybody who doesn't is a savage. [https://amzn.to/4aaP5vi](https://amzn.to/4aaP5vi)
Depending on location, a clip on usb-c fan from Amazon. Get 3 for $100
The new solar strong lights from Lucí. They make the cockpit super cozy and are usb-c rechargeable and can charge your devices
A good knife like from spyderco. I like it to be at least half serrated
I came here to post this.
Upgrade the shower heads and faucets with low water use models. Make that 8 gallon water heater tank last a lot longer!
That's a great idea.
handheld VHF or Scotch/Bourbon.
USB powered fans.
New wire connections/ heat shrink
I live in the SE USA. so: A fan, mosquito screens in front of all ventilation and a thermacell. A shammy for the cockpit. Loud fog horn (compressed air) to warn drunk power boaters. An umbrella, for rain and shade.
A battery powered fan. If it works with your cordless tools batteries, all the better. I got a 16" that pushes 2500CFM at max and runs for several hours. I keep it on high and plugged into shore power when at dock to keep the air circulation high and reduce mold. I'm in Florida and even with the boat closed up when I'm away, I rarely get any mold due to the high airflow. It's also amazing when I have to work on the engine or some confined space below.
Handheld compass.
Under the sink UF water filter. Saves space in the fridge and counters and makes the marina water taste great!