Clear Gel Coat, Eastbay 39 SX
From waterline to keel, this boat isn't hiding anything. If there's resin starvation, bubbles, or bad laminates, the builders and you will see it. Cover the area with bottom paint, and if you hit something while underway, just scrape away the paint to see what damage has been done to the structure.
Nonfogging Dash Lights, Larson Cabrio 350
The dashboard panel lights and gauges are wired to the ignition switch rather to the navigation lights. This way, they're on whenever the engine is running, not just at night. The constant heat from the bulbs keeps moisture away.
Hidden Head, Intrepid 323 Cuddy
You rarely use the head, so why does it have to take up so much room? This one stays stowed away under the cabin step. When nature calls, close the hatch, rotate the step, and there's the throne.
Split-Bolster Helm Seat, Monterey 330 Sport Yacht
Most helm benches have only a bolster for the driver, relegating the mate to stay seated or stand without support. This allows both to stand or sit independently.
Walkthrough Latches, Sea Ray 310 Sundancer
On a cruiser the top latch of the windshield walkthrough is easy to get to, but the bottom one is often too low and too much of a stretch to reach. On this boat the levers are connected. Turn the top one and the bottom also turns.
Windshield Washers, Hatteras 64
Cars have had it for 50 years, so why not make them standard on boats? Salt spray, morning dew, and plain old crud can make it nearly impossible to see through your clear curtains. Instead of unzipping and wiping them off, press a button and freshwater-spray spritzers do the work.
Cockpit Access, Glastron GXL 205
The back of the aft section of the U-shaped seating flips down to provide a nonslip step up and over the sunpad to the swim platform.
Nonslip Table, Edgewater 31
The bow table and hardtop are both finished in nonslip. This means you can stand on the table for casting, or climb onto the hardtop and use it as a spotting platform.
No V-berth, Tiara 3000 Open
This boat forgoes the conventional V-berth in favor of a unique athwartship settee/raised berth combo. More room and versatility in a 30-footer than you deserve.
