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                Upgrade                                                               Description

	Replace hydraulic backstay adjuster (6/02)	The original Sailtec hydraulic adjuster had been rebuilt in 2000; it worked, but leaked oil badly.  Rather than try to rebuild it again, we replaced it with a Navtec adjuster.  The Navtec is slightly longer than the Sailtec, requiring the backstay to be shortened slightly.  Removing the Sta-Lok fitting revealed wire ends that were bent back against the lay of the wire.  This was probably the result of sloppy installation of the fitting on the right-laid wire (which is more difficult to use with swageless fittings than left-laid wire).  As the wire otherwise looked good, and as we intend to redo all of the standing rigging with rod in the next two years anyway, we opted to swage on a new end fitting.
	Lower rudder bearing replacement (6/02)	Details.
	Replumb lower propane tank vent (6/02)	The bottom of the propane tank was vented to a through-hull under the curve of the hull, just below the waterline approximately one foot forward of the transom.  Meanwhile, one of the transom discharge holes was connected to a hose with nothing attached at the other end.  Apparently it was once a discharge line for the shower sump -- a very long and ineffective run, given that the head is about 25 feet away. We pulled out the sump drain hose (the shower sump now drains into the bilge), swapped the propane vent to the transom, and glassed in the old propane vent hole.  Advantages: one less hole in the bottom of the boat, one less long hose with smelly water festering inside it.   Disadvantages: none.
	Replace electric head with manual, remove fresh water head flush plumbing (6/02)	When we bought it the boat had an electric head with a Y-valve allowing for either salt or fresh flush water -- fine for the liveaboard former owner who rarely left the dock, but impractical away from power and water hookups.  We installed a Raritan PH-II, highly rated by Practical Sailor, and removed the fresh water plumbing.  To make the Raritan fit, we reversed the bowl on the base, so that the pump is on the right hand side as you sit.  To keep the handle clear of the aft head door, we shortened and bent it slightly.  Advantages: no battery or fresh water drain when the head is used; less wiring and less plumbing to worry about.  Disadvantages: it's easier to keep a fresh water head odor free.
	Spade aluminum primary anchor and rode (6/02)	A Spade Model 100 aluminum anchor was mounted in place of the existing CQR.  According to Spade, this model is sized for boats up to 52 feet in length and 24,000 lbs in displacement.  There should be plenty of excess capacity here.  (The next smaller model was slightly undersized for a J/37.)  The Spade and the Fortress (see below) were both highly rated by Practical Sailor.  Advantages: at 20 lbs for the Spade and 10 lbs for the Fortress, the combined weight of both these anchors and their rodes is less than the weight of the 35 lb CQR and rode they replaced.  Disadvantages: none known.
	Replace no-valve plastic sink drain through-hull with bronze through-hull with valve (6/02)	The sink drain through-hull is just below the water line when the boat is at the dock.  Underway, it is generally underwater, especially when heeled to port.  Because the drain hose is large, and because it runs through the lazarette, it is vulnerable to being knocked and damaged.  We felt the stock plastic through-hull with no valve was inadequate and replaced it with a bronze model with a ball valve.  Advantages: stronger, can be closed if sink drain fails.  Disadvantages: a couple of lbs heavier.
	Fortress aluminum secondary anchor and rode (5/02)	A Fortress FX-16 is mounted in the lazarette as a secondary anchor, attached to its rode and ready to go.  At only 10 lbs, this is actually the size the Fortress Selection Guide suggests for use as a primary.  Advantages: really light, easy to store.  Disadvantages: doesn't work on standard bow roller.
	Mainsheet tackle system (5/02)	The stock mainsheet system (still found on current production J/Boats) consisted of a single line running from a port side winch to a block on the traveler, 90 degrees up to a block on the boom, 180 degrees back down to a second block on the traveler, and then 90 degrees to a starboard side winch. Advantages to stock system: minimal friction, ability to quickly ease sail.  Disadvantages to stock system: almost always requires winch to trim or ease; line tends to wind up on one side or the other.  The upgraded system pictured here is a 6:1 system consisting of 100' of StaSet-X and Lewmar 80mm blocks.  Advantages: can be trimmed and eased by hand in most conditions; can be run to the winches in heavy air.  Disadvantages: increased friction slows ease in light air; and in light air the lengths of line between the blocks sometimes develop unequal slack.
	Checkstay retractors (5/02)	On hull #1 the checkstays were permanently rigged through turning blocks and line stoppers near the rail just forward of the wheel.  When not in use, whether sailing or at dock or anchor, they are always in the way.  This system nicely automatically pulls them forward.  Advantages: cheap, effective.  Disadvantages: none.
	Spinnaker pole car control line cleats (5/02)	Standard issue was a horn cleat on the mast.  That was painfully slow to use, and on occasion the line slipped off.  Upgrade was to dual cam cleats.  The new system is what you find on most current boats.  Advantages: easier, faster, more secure.  Disadvantages: none.
	Polyplanar cockpit speakers (4/01)	The original cockpit speakers were shot.  Because they were located on the aft cockpit bulkhead below the helm seat, and therefore fairly close to the compass, we replaced them with waterproof, low magnetic field Polyplanar speakers.  Advantages: nice speakers!  Disadvantages: the closest sized speaker still required enlarging the holes; through-mounted cockpit speakers are vulnerable to waves that dump into the cockpit.  Eventually we'll either relocate the speakers and reglass the bulkhead, or reinstall the speakers behind removable deckplates.
	New lifelines and netting (4/01)	The old lifelines were probably originals, and were showing rust under the vinyl coating in numerous places.  Current ORC regs call for uncoated stainless wire, which is what we installed.  Netting was installed to help keep our young kids and their friends aboard.  Netting advantages: keeps kids and sails aboard.  Disadvantages: have to "raise the skirts" in places to allow hiking during races; cable ties come in handy here.
	Speedseal impeller cover (4/01)	Read all about this product at speedseal.com.  Prompt and friendly service from the folks at Speedseal.  At about $60, there's no reason or excuse not to have one.  Advantages: makes checking or changing the impeller for the engine cooling pump a trivial exercise.   Disadvantages: none.
	Remove unused anchor washdown pump and through-hull (2/01)	The original owner had installed an anchor washdown pump with a dedicated through-hull.  The pump was disconnected and the through-hull had a plug on the inside.  We removed the entire installation and glassed in the hole in the hull.  Advantages: one less hole in the hull; less weight and improved stowage area in the bow.  Disadvantages: have to brush muddy anchors or hose them off at the dock.
	Radar and GPS display installation (by 2d owner) (2000)	Displays mounted on panel that swings into opening for starboard cockpit bulkhead portlight.  Advantages: allows single display to be used for both inside the boat (when swung into quarterberth area) and the cockpit (when swung into the portlight opening).  Disadvantages: dual displays at helm and nav station would be optimal; spray from the quarter or stern, or water coming over the cabin top, could drip into quarterberth area when the display is in cockpit view position.