New bits for Windover
We plan to install some really good gear on our new Aloha. This will likely be our last boat and will take us into our retirement so we want to add some nice amenities to it. The following are the items we have bought or plan to buy for our new, as of yet, un-named, Aloha 32. We are bound to add more through the coming months but, for now, this is what we are planning to dress her up with.
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We plan to install some really good gear on our new Aloha. This will likely be our last boat and will take us into our retirement so we want to add some nice amenities to it. The following are the items we have bought or plan to buy for our new, as of yet, un-named, Aloha 32. We are bound to add more through the coming months but, for now, this is what we are planning to dress her up with.
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As I said earlier, the existing bimini is a little low for a big boy like me so we plan to install a new bimini/dodger with a clear filler strip. We are very happy with the Genco dodger we put on our Grampian 28 and are considering buying the whole deal through them. They have some great pictures on their site and can ship you a custom package for most boats. They have the Aloha 32 in their data base so they should be able to build it with little mucking about. We are looking at some local companies as well so this is yet to be decided. We plan to go with dark blue but I really like the tan color. Deb thinks that the tan will show too many finger prints......I think she is right.
There was a Garmin GPSmap 162 chart plotter in one of the lockers when we bought the boat. We brought it home to do some investigation. It is an older unit but will more than suffice for us. In this age of cell phones and internet we still plan to use other gizmo's for navigation. The price was right for this unit and it was still in the original box, in perfect condition and looked to have never been installed. A chart plotter was also on my wish list and I think this older unit will do me just fine. I have not given much thought to where I will install this yet. I am not a big fan of a cluttered wheel and the one on the Aloha is so pretty that it would be a shame to hide it with an instrument cluster. I may just buy one of those arms that swing out into the companionway so I can use it inside or outside as the need arises.
Until we get the boat home I will not be able to choose which holding tank to buy. There is a generous angled space under the starboard double quarter berth that looks like it used to house a tank. Thankfully the tank was removed before the boat went into storage. I have changed or repaired just about every holding tank on every boat I have owned. The new hoses are already in place and we only have to install and secure the tank and hook it up. The specs on the Aloha say it should have had about 30 gallons of holding capacity. We hope to get as close to this size as possible. Over the years we have had boats with 10-15 gallon capacity and I can tell you that just does not cut it with kids on board. The soft tanks always had a bit of odor so we are going to go with a poly tank. Holland Marine have tanks listed in their online catalogue that look like they may work. We will let you know how this works out. Special thanks to Sawlty on the Aloha Owners site for advice on this subject.
At some point the hot water tank was removed from our new boat. it was on the ground next to it at the marina so we were able to see how big it was and where the lines should exit and enter it. It will be a real treat to have a shower on board or wash dishes without having to light the stove. This boat came equipped with hot water from both the engine and shore power so the new tank will be equipped in this manner. We replaced one on our Endeavour 35 "Topanga" a few years ago. It is a very simple thing to do. Not too costly with many benefits for comfort while cruising. The Aloha has a ton of fresh water tankage so we should be able to stay on the hook for quite a while now without having to go to a marina to shower and re-fill our tanks and the stainless steel version will be much nicer than the mild steel one that came with the boat.
The previous owner had purchased this Ampair Pacific 100 wind generator at an online auction from a family who sold their decked out world cruiser due to a change of plans I guess. Apparently they took the generator off of the boat to sell separately. It is virtually new. Debbie found the blades and tail fin on board and when we questioned the owner he said that the rest of the unit and the stand was at his home. We negotiated to have this little gem thrown in on the deal and hope to have it installed this winter. Finally no more worries about conserving electricity while cruising. We can play the stereo as much as we want and leave a few lights on without having to worry about getting the engine started in the morning. The six blade design is almost silent. I am told and these units have been used in some of the harshest environments on earth.........Ice cubes anyone????
We came across this windlass a few years ago at an auction from a chandlery that was closing. We had no idea if it worked or what the extra bits would cost to get it functioning. We decided to take the chance and bid on it. To our surprise, we got it. As it turns out it was a fantastic deal as this windlass is new, works perfectly and is worth about $4000. I won't tell you what we paid for it but suffice it to say it will likely be the best "boating bargain" we have ever bought. The parts to get it going can be purchased at any well stocked chandlery and the hawse pipe hole is already cut in the deck for the chain to fall through. We will buy a remote for the cockpit and foot switches at the bow as well as a designated battery and all the wiring needed to make it work. I cannot wait to raise anchor with this little beauty. It will make life on the water so much easier for us.