DIY Enhancements and Creative Ideas on Boat Tour Oceanis 321
Tour of a 1997 Beneteau Oceanis 321 Sailboat: Exterior Features and Innovative Modifications
In this feature, we delve into the exterior of a 1997 Beneteau Oceanis 321 sailboat, showcasing its spacious design and discussing several innovative modifications made by the owner.
Measuring 32 feet in length yet offering up to 9.95 meters, the boat boasts remarkable volume, with a beam of almost 3.5 meters and a draft of 1.30 meters. Despite its age, the vessel remains brimming with inventions, as highlighted in the accompanying video.
At the dock, some notable features include:
- Defenses based on pool noodles: Economical fender solutions employing jumbo-sized Chinese pool noodles, combined with polypropylene foam for added durability.
- Detour rope: A strategically placed line to direct the bow towards the main defense.
- Bow camera: Affordable camera offering level-with-the-water visibility, suitable for obstacle-free sailing.
- Boat serigraphy: Vibrant vinyl boat lettering showcasing the owner's company name, which offers better water resistance than standard paint.
- Ladder to climb: A DIY wooden ladder designed for easy boarding.
Moving to the bow, additional improvements include:
- Additional grounding plug: Dual grounding plugs for greater convenience when mooring, whether bow or stern.
- Bow tap: A sweetener for the anchor chain made from a foldable hose, readily accessible on popular online retailers.
- Anchor rope: A hand-held rope with a carabiner, useful for managing the windlass while anchored.
Moving up the mast, you'll find:
- Masthead camera: A mast-mounted camera, as detailed in a previous episode on installation techniques.
- TV antenna: The boat's original antenna for television reception.
- Wind equipment: Original wind equipment fitted to the boat.
- Mechanical wind vane: An additional wind vane added for enhanced performance.
- Deck light: A deck light replaced with a spotlight for improved nighttime illumination.
- Folding steps: Foldable steps installed near the masthead for easier access and cover shearing.
On the sides, some key improvements include:
- Hooks for fenders: Stainless steel hooks mounted on the candlesticks to accommodate fenders.
- Velcro: Versatile double-sided velcro utilized for a variety of purposes, such as cable management or rope fastening.
- Solar installation: A solar panel setup ideal for generating silent energy during anchorage or sailing.
Finally, at the stern, several proud inventions are showcased:
- Covers for instruments and wheel: Surfers wetsuit changers repurposed as covers for the boat's blog and wheel.
- The wheel covered in "leather": A steering wheel cover created using inexpensive car wheel covers.
- The drink holder: A custom-designed drink holder made from nautical plywood, easily adjustable with pipe fasteners.
- The multipurpose folding table: A foldable table assembled using marine plywood, stainless steel hinges, aluminum tubing, and metal sheet, designed and built by the owner's father.
These inventions serve as inspiration for boat owners looking to enhance their own vessels, fostering a sense of community and shared creativity. Feel free to share more ideas and discuss further in the video comments or on social media networks!
Navigation improvements can be found in the mast, as there's a masthead camera, a TV antenna, wind equipment, a mechanical wind vane, a deck light, and folding steps for easier access. In terms of lifestyle modifications, the home-and-garden department was put to use at the stern, with repurposed surfers wetsuit changers for covers for the boat's blog and wheel, an inexpensive car wheel cover for the steering wheel, a custom-designed drink holder made from nautical plywood, and a multipurpose folding table assembled using marine plywood, stainless steel hinges, aluminum tubing, and metal sheet.
