> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://svsabado.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# 4 Things We’ve Splurged On That Made Boat Life Better
- URL: https://svsabado.com/4-things-weve-splurged-on-that-made-boat-life-better/
- Published: 2026-09-19T04:41:39.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-19T04:41:39.000Z
- Description: Cruising has a funny way of changing your definition of what counts as a luxury. Something that might seem completely unnecessary when you're living on land can become one of your favorite things after spending months or years on a boat. For us, these purchases have all earned their place.
- Author: Holly Hendricks
- Tags: Boat Life

Last week, we shared [3 ways we save money while cruising](https://svsabado.com/3-ways-we-save-money-cruising/). This week, we’re going in the opposite direction. Here are 4 things we’ve splurged on over the years that have made life aboard Sabado better, safer, or just a whole lot more comfortable. None of these are things we absolutely need to go cruising. In fact, there are probably cheaper alternatives to all four. But after living aboard and putting thousands of miles under the keels, these are purchases we’re really glad we made.

##  1\. Rainman Watermaker

In the world of watermakers, a Rainman is actually a pretty reasonably priced option. We have the portable AC-powered unit that makes about 37 gallons an hour, which we originally purchased as a backup for our Spectra before crossing the Pacific. The plan was to have something we could pull out if the Spectra ever let us down. Well, two years ago, the Spectra stopped working. And we’ve been using the Rainman as our primary watermaker ever since. Ray did [a thorough write up of our watermaker saga](https://svsabado.com/three-watermakers-two-oceans-one-hard-lesson/) (spoiler alert, we’ve actually owned 3!) and our Rainman has won the job on Sabado. It has been reliable, and it makes a LOT of water in a short amount of time. With our new power system, its power demands aren't really an issue for us either. The biggest downside of our current setup is simply that it’s portable. So, every time we want to make water, we have to haul the unit out of the lazarette, set it up, run it, and then put everything away again afterward. It’s not difficult, but it is clunky and heavy. So when the time comes to replace our Spectra permanently, we’d definitely consider a built-in Rainman system. 

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/2026/09/FullSizeRender.jpg)

## 2\. Helm Enclosure

People have very strong opinions about helm enclosures. For us, it’s a high priority. When we’re underway, one of us is at the helm 24/7\. We’ve found that we can stay calmer and make better decisions when we aren’t constantly having wind whip across our faces or rain pelt us in the eyeballs. That might sound like a comfort item, but after enough hours underway, comfort starts to become a safety issue too. Being cold, wet, tired, and miserable doesn't make anyone a better watchkeeper. We removed the side panel and usually keep the door rolled up, which gives us easy access to the coachroof, mast, and boom. We can also step out and head forward without having to backtrack through the cockpit. So we get the protection we want while still maintaining easy access to the boat. Would we cruise without it? Sure. Would we want to? Not particularly.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/2026/09/Still-2026-06-26-140559_1.18.1.jpg)

## 3\. PFDS

We each have a [Spinlock](https://www.spinlock.co.uk/en-GB/uk/categories/lifejackets?ref=svsabado.com) PFD with an integrated harness and MOB system, along with a PLB and tether clipped to our PFD. The setup costs around $750 USD per person, but for us, investing in high quality personal safety equipment is worth it.

We are often offshore with just the two of us, so we have to plan our safety around the reality that there may not be another person available to help. Our PFD and personal safety gear are one part of that system. They are not a substitute for good seamanship or vigilance, but they give us another layer of protection if something goes wrong.

Just as importantly, they allow us to manage fatigue responsibly. One of us needs to be able to sleep while the other stands watch, regardless of the conditions. Sleep deprivation is itself a serious safety risk. We take rest seriously because a tired watchkeeper is a safety hazard. You cannot get meaningful rest if you are lying awake worrying about whether your partner is safe on watch. Knowing that we are both properly equipped means that when one of us goes to sleep, we can actually rest.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/2026/09/IMG_8585.JPG)

## 4\. Black, High Quality Trampolines

We installed nets from [Sunrise Yacht Products](https://multihullnets.com/?srsltid=AU7gw4V7mSCxEFrMGziZta5nMfofexSEeUk2E0fB4Im9XkUKruA5-hSa&ref=svsabado.com) in January 2022, and they still look as good as they did on installation day. The smaller holes make the nets much easier to balance on and more comfortable to hang out on, which has dramatically increased the amount of time we spend out on the bow. Anything that effectively increases your living space on a boat is, in our opinion, worth the investment.

We chose the black color, which makes it easier to see through than our old white nets, so keeping an eye on the chain while hauling or deploying the anchor is much easier. That visibility was especially useful when we were dealing with floating our chain in French Polynesia. The black also looks cleaner than the old white netting, and despite what you might expect, it doesn't make the bow noticeably hotter.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/2026/09/Trampoline-1.PNG)

We also have the brand's boat-specific, custom-cut catamaran bow shade. So far, we love it, although we haven't had it up enough this season to say much about how it will hold up long term. That said, the construction of the attachment points is really well thought out, and based on our experience with the quality of their other products, we're optimistic that it will hold up just as well. We did a video on our full bow setup, you can [watch it here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpwSnG9MJno&t=49s&ref=svsabado.com). For transparency, we paid full price for our nets, but they did give us a discount on the shade, after we reached out wanting to purchase one. 

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/2026/09/Still-2026-08-13-195238_1.90.1-1.jpg)

## **Final Thoughts**

Cruising has a funny way of changing your definition of what counts as a luxury. Something that might seem completely unnecessary when you're living on land can become one of your favorite things after spending months or years on a boat. For us, these purchases have all earned their place. 

None of these purchases were strictly necessary to go cruising. But that's not really the point. Sometimes spending a little more on something you use constantly, something that improves safety, or something that makes life aboard more enjoyable is money well spent. And after all the miles we’ve put on Sabado, these are three splurges we’d make again.