Great Ideas for your Boat
The Book
If you don’t already own a copy check it out on Amazon and download a free preview.
Or <click> to check out the video
- Loads of ideas from a simple device using a timer and an electric valve to save around 3-5 litres per person per day.
- A radio operated passerelle that can be installed for less than €200.
- Converting to an all-electric galley
- Converting hand-pumped toilets to electric
- From preparing steel to shooing seagulls…
and a lot more …
-
Meet the Author/Skipper:
Chris Southwood
Welcome to our selection of parts & accessories for your boat.
We have arranged these to follow in the same order as the chapters from the book – so parts are easy to find.
A Note on Amazon Associates
We are with the Amazon Associate program. That means we earn a small fee – paid by Amazon – not you – and that helps towards our publishing costs. It does not cost you a cent more and we have saved you a lot of time, and perhaps money, searching for the best items.
Please note: When you click on the image you are taken to Amazon.com.If you are not in a ´.com´ location Amazon will automatically redirect to Amazon in the country you reside. No problem – all automatic and you see prices in your currency. However, Amazon’s algorithm doesn’t always choose the best product when re-directing and often does a horrible job choosing equivalent products.
When we are aware of that happening we search for the best match and add an alternative link depicted by a country flag. So if you don’t see what you want, or expected, then click the flag – that means we have sorted out the best, or maybe a better, match.
Electric Passerelle
Radio Control Units
Just what you need to control the passerelle, bow-thruster and anchor.. normally you will only need twin channels, but okay with four channels – because perversely they are often at a better price – just make sure they have ´momentary switching´, for example push the button and hold to raise the passerelle – finger off when raised – not locking. Check they are the correct input voltage for your boat and are 433 MHz
12 volt relays
40A/30A high switching capability. Heavy-duty impact moulded relay socket with 5 WIRES。White (common), Black (normally closed), and Yellow (normally open).
Spare Cloning Fobs.
If you have more than two people on board buy a set of ´cloning´ fobs. (and always a good idea to keep spares anyway)
Simple to copy the code from the original (or already cloned) fob.
Checked out and these seem to be the best value.
12 Volt winch with radio control
If you cant get a second-hand wheel-chair motor, or similar, (much quieter), This will do the job plus it has its own radio control.
JCS 12V 3000LBS Electric Winch Winch. Synthetic Rope with Mounting Bracket and Wireless Remote.
(Comes with only one fob so you will need to buy some cloning fobs – see above – for all crew members.)
Water Saver for your shower.
Save up to 5 litres per person per day.
Digital Pulse Actuated Timer
This is the cool timer I used in my own water saver with a digital count-down.
.
12-volt water solenoid.
1/2″ BSP fitting, 12 volt. Used for the ´Water Saver´ project and conversion of a manual toilet to all-electric.
Electric toilet conversion
12-volt Waste Macerator Pump
Good value. And remember you can use a buck converter (further down this list) if you have 24volt – choose 15 amps or more) much cheaper than a 24-volt unit.
These units are not currently available on Amazon.es
A good equivalent is available from Amazon.co.uk and could be worth paying shipping charges. 
Shut Off Valve
1 1/4″ shut-off valve to isolate trapped waste while servicing the pump. As recommended in the book install it on the toilet side of the pump to isolate it when servicing.
Voltage Converters
24 volt to 12 volt step down buck converter
This is the type of buck converter I recommend. Buy once and forget. Nearly always 24 volt equipment is a lot more expensive when you are replacing or buying additional equipment. Use this instead and run on 12 volts.
Available in various amperage ratings. Use individually, say for pumps, or as I recommend in my book do away with your 12-volt battery bank altogether and run all 12-volt equipment, radios etc via this converter.
DC Voltage step-up converter
Should you ever need this;
DC 12V Step Up to 24V 10A Boost Converter 240W DC Voltage Regulator Power Converter
Basic buck converter rated at 3 amp.
One exasmple: Mini MP1584EN DC to DC buck converter module with a wide operating range. Input voltage: 4.5 V to 28 V; Output voltage: 0.8 V to 20 V. Output current: 3 A (maximum); Conversion efficiency: 92% (maximum)
Shop around from this Amazon link. I personally prefer to pay the extra to get the digital read-out.
5 AMP Buck Converter
4 Pieces Adjustable LM2596S DC-DC Buck Converter Reduced Voltage Regulator Power Module 36V 24V 12V to 5V 2A Voltage Stabilizer with Digital Voltmeter Display
Bilge pump excessive activity warning
Recommended timer
DC 12V-24V Pulse Signal Trigger Cycle Delay Time Switch ON/Off Relay Control Module Dual MOSControl Board LED Display
Warning Buzzers
Working voltage: DC 3-24V; Rated voltage: DC 12V; Max rated current: 12mA; Min sound output: 85dB, Response frequency: 3300 +/- 500Hz.Electronic buzzer alarm diameter height: approx. 22mm*10mm; High quality and durable materials with 2-wire pigtails, just connect to any power supply from 3 to 24 Volts.
Convert your galley to electric
1800 watt Induction hob.
This one is ´Amazon Basic´ 12.99 x 2.56 x 11.42 inches and very good value. As you can see from my book I have used two of these – good redundancy if one should fail.
A really neat oven and grill combo
Click to see the full range.
Portable Butane Gas Stove
Super for emergency cooking or carry to the beach.
Automatic Ignition with Carrying Case.
Custom LED lighting
12V White LED Strip Lights
6000-6500K 16.4ft/5M SMD5050 300LEDs, Dimmable IP65 Waterproof Cuttable Flexible LED
CCTV using a reversing camera
Camera with 5″ Monitor
Add 2nd Camera for engine room etc
Video Doorbell Camera Wireless, 2.4/5 GHz
Dual WiFi Smart Door Camera with Motion Detection, 1080P-Grade Resolution, Night Vision, Battery Powered, 2-Way Audio, IP65 Weatherproof, With 32GB Card
Chart plotter using a tablet computer & free openCPN charting software + charts
This is the one I am using.
The range and prices change daily so have fun browsing.
This is the one I am using. A Yestel Tablet 10.1 Inch Android 10.0 YESTEL Tablets 5G/2.4G Dual Band WiFi, Octa-Core Processor, 64GB ROM 3GB RAM, Full HD Display, 6000mAh Battery, Dual Camera 5.0 + 8.0MP, Bluetooth and GPS
Check it has a GPS, not all do.
Battery Bank, charged by USB and Solar
I have added 10 hours of use to my tablet computer.
Bow thruster batteries
500 amp fuse
AERZETIX: Large fuse MEGA – 500A – 32V – for Car Vehicles Trucks – color: Brown – C10039
12 – 24 volt Thermostat
To monitor battery temperature. Simple to install. Affix the probe to a battery terminal with a cable tie. Wire the ´make on rise´ output in series with a buzzer/light or other alarm.
Ventilation fans
Many sizes and types – for cooling cupboards and computer installations. Or use several for heads and galley, check them out. 12 and 24 volt.
Steel boats, epoxy & sanity
Pneumatic Needle Gun
Perfect for surface prep work in the removal of rust, paint, weld slag and corrosion.
DURABLE: Equipped with 19 hardened steel needles for a long life.
POWERFUL: 1-5/8” piston stroke and 4, 500 blows per minute provide power, comfort and control.
LIGHTWEIGHT: Aluminum housing provides excellent durability while reducing weight.
Plastic Rust Removal Wheel
The black diamond material is a high-strength, high-wearing honeycomb soft abrasive tool formed by combining high-strength wear-resistant fiber mesh as a substrate and organically combining resin elastomer and high-quality corundum with a special process.
Easy to use spray seals and protects metal surfaces from corrosion and moisture
Flexible, rubberized coating provides superior chemical and abrasion resistance
Dries to touch in 1-2 hours and covers 85-175 sq. ft. per qt. with rust protection
Apply by brush, roller or spray to repair rust problems and prevent future issues
Creates a protective coating with no shine, flat finish on rusted or bare metal.
Liqui Moly is the one I use in Spain 
Some fun boating bits
- NEWEST SAFETY BREATHING SYSTEM: ORSEN full face snorkel mask adopted an improved larger breathing tube and uses a unique breathing system, it helps us take in more oxygen and reducing any potential CO₂ buildup and hazards. When you snorkel, you won’t feel dizzy or even suffocated by inhaling a mixture of air and CO₂, hence maximizing safety, give you a Happily & Safe snorkelling experience…
- ANTI-LEAK & ANTI-FOGGING: The silicone lip is soft enough and the enlarged silicone skirt perfectly fits your face and stops salt water from getting into your mouth and prevents gagging A separate breathing chamber that creates an airflow away from your main viewing visor helps eliminates fogging…
INFLATABLE BOAT for approx $188:
The Intex Excursion 5 inflatable boat is suitable for up to 5 adults and has a 1300 pound capacity making it great for boating or fishing with friends. NMMA and U.S. Coast Guard certified; Water craft for lakes and mild rivers. . Fishing and relaxing have never been easier with the 4 built-in fishing rod holders and gear pouch
MOUNTING: Fittings for a motor mount are included for the flexibility of adding a trolling motor (motor and motor mount sold separately) with 2 grab handles on each bow and an all-around grab line are provided for your convenience, as well as welded on oar locks and oar holders
BOAT DESIGN: Designed with heavy-duty, puncture-resistant PVC for comfort and durability, and an inflatable I-beam floor for rigidity. With 3 air chambers including an inner auxiliary chamber inside the main hull for extra buoyancy and safety
INCLUDES: The easy to store and carry package includes the Excursion 5 boat, 2, 54-inch aluminum oars and an Intex high-output pump for easy inflation and deflation, repair patch kit and carry bag. Boat weighs 57 pounds and dimensions are (LxWxH): 144 x 66 x 17 inches