FITTING OUT — A
centuries-old adage claims, "You can tell a lot about a sailor by the cut of his jib." But when it comes to modern cruisers, nothing reveals more about their sailing style than the 'back porch' of their boat. That is, the stern section, which may house everything from solar panels to surfboards, and barbecues to radar domes. While kayaking around the Nuevo Vallarta lagoon last month, we paddled past several dozen well-equipped cruising yachts that are currently mothballed there for the summer. As you can see by the accompanying photos, comparing the varieties of gear they carry aft of the cockpit makes a fascinating study — which is well-timed this month, as dozens of West Coast cruising boats are now being 'geared up' for the fall cruising season. Having recently fitted out our own boat for bluewater voyaging, we know that what ends up on your boat's back porch often comes down to: A) what your safety, communications and navigation priorities are, B) what you can afford to buy, C) what you find time to install (or have installed professionally) before your departure date, and D) and how much extra weight and stress your boat's internal structure can support. So if you're planning to cruise anytime in the next few years, we suggest you get out your list — or 'list of lists' — and start prioritizing. Unless you have very deep pockets, you probably won't end up leaving your home port with everything on your wish list. And even if you do have the cash, you'll undoubtedly underestimate how long it will take to
ALL PHOTOS LATITUDE / ANDY
The vintage cruiser 'Cadenza' maintains her classic look with only simple davits aft, yet she also carries big solar panels and kayaks.
get some major items checked off the list due to unanticipated 'discoveries' during the install process (i.e. having to beef up internal structure, relocate existing gear, pull the mast, etc.) But don't let such warnings dampen your enthusiasm for upgrades. If you've been around boats for a while, you know that overcoming minor obstacles is simply part of the drill. So let's take a look at some of the most common pre-cruise upgrades these days. Dinghy Davits & Stern Railings — Most race boat owners would be horrified at the suggestion of installing any sort of superstructure that might slow down their speedster by even a quarter knot. But cruisers? Pfft! What do they care
Get out your list — or 'list of lists' — and start prioritizing. about creating a bit of drag if it achieves an everyday benefit? So it's not surprising that one of the first upgrades made to many would-be cruising boats is the addition of a system of stern railings and dinghy davits, to which all sorts of gear and gadgetry can be attached. Rigid railings also add a measure of safety beyond what basic lifelines provide. Whether you're harbor -hopping along the West Coast or island-hopping across the South Pacific, it's a huge benefit to have your dinghy perched on davits, so it's ready to take you exploring as soon as your anchor is set, and is always at the ready should an emergency occur. Plus, davits alleviate the hassle of carrying your dink on the foredeck or having to retrieve it from a jam-packed locker. Be warned, though, that unless your system is integrally tied into your boat's stern structure, it can easily be overloaded. We've seen head-high superstructures that supported not only
a dinghy, outboard and fuel tank, but also solar panels, surfboards, antennas and more. Although such an expansive carryall might sound brilliant while you're sitting in the calm waters of Alameda or Marina del Rey, remember that out on the open ocean the stresses on your hull — and everything attached to it — are substantial, especially in heavy weather. We once heard of an overloaded backporch storage array's ripping the transom off when the boat got pooped by a following sea. Other boats have suffered stress fractures. Be aware also that stainless steel railmakers are in high demand in both the US and Mexico, so don't expect to get an ambitious radar arch or other custom assembly constructed on short notice. Solar Panels — When we think of installing solar, we are always reminded of a cruising friend who said, "To me, the goal is to be able to leave the boat unattended for a few weeks in the middle of summer, and return to find cold beer in the fridge and ice in the freezer." Thanks to the ever-improving quality of modern panels, that goal is relatively easy to attain these days. But while it is definitely a thrill to see 20 amps or more of free electricity trickling in at midday, there's no denying that sufficiently sized panels do compromise the esthetics of your otherwise-streamlined hull — especially when mounted on the side rails, which is the most common option for most monohulls. (Panels are rated in watts, with about 400 watts being a typical target for an array of panels aboard a 38- to 45-ft cruiser.) In addition to the common rectangular shapes, there are thin, bendable panels that allow low-profile installation over the contours of a pilothouse, cabintop or dodger, but sadly, these aren't nearly as efficient as their bulkier cousins. Be aware also that many cruisers with railmounted — rather than flat-mounted — panels, typically go through a ritual of
