We recently asked a simple question in a sailing group: “What’s the BEST thing you have on your boat?”

What followed was 400+ comments ranging from practical to hilarious, heartfelt, and occasionally unhinged. There were strong opinions, plenty of jokes, and some clear patterns. While answers varied wildly (from espresso machines to fly swatters), these five items came up again and again:

1. Autopilot: The Crew Member That Never Sleeps

Autopilot appeared hundreds of times, especially among solo sailors and couples. Many people summed it up perfectly: “It’s not equipment, it’s crew.” That’s why on Sabado, we have TWO!

Why it matters:

• Allows you to leave the helm to reef, cook, rest, or use the head
• Reduces fatigue on long passages
• Makes single-handing and short-handed sailing realistic
• Improves safety by maintaining a steady course when you’re busy elsewhere

For many cruisers, an autopilot isn’t a luxury; it’s the difference between a manageable and miserable sail.

2. A Comfortable Bed (and a Real Mattress)

So many sailors said some version of: “A good bed changes everything.” One of the most relatable responses came from someone who skipped custom marine cushions and instead bought a king-size memory foam mattress topper, cut it to fit their V-berth, and saved over $1,000 compared to a marine upholstery quote. On Sabado, we’re currently rebuilding our bed to accommodate a standard-size mattress, but for the past few years, we’ve absolutely loved our cut-to-size mattress topper; it’s been a simple upgrade with a big payoff.

Why it matters:

• Sleep quality affects everything: mood, decision-making, safety
• Long passages and active days demand real rest

A good bed can transform boat life from camping to a real home.

3. Watermakers: Freedom in a Box

If autopilot was the most mentioned, watermakers were the most passionately defended. Once sailors install one, they tend to say the same thing: “I’d never go back.”

Why it matters:

• Eliminates constant water runs and rationing
• Enables longer stays at anchor
• Makes hot showers, laundry, and cooking less stressful
• Increases self-sufficiency and cruising range

Several people said a watermaker was the single upgrade that most improved their quality of life, and many agreed it was worth every penny. On Sabado, we have both a Spectra and a high output Rainman watermaker.

4. Power Systems: Solar + Lithium = Game Changer

Solar panels, lithium batteries, and modern power systems came up constantly, often together, because they’re best as a team.

Why it matters:

• Quiet, renewable power at anchor
• Ability to run fridges, freezers, Starlink, fans, tools, and autopilot
• Less reliance on marinas and generators
• Makes modern cruising comforts possible

Many sailors described lithium upgrades as “the biggest leap forward” in how they use their boats. Once you stop worrying about power, everything else gets easier. You can watch our full lithium conversion on YouTube!

5. The Head (Yes, Really)

You might laugh, but sailors are serious about toilets. Electric heads, full-size heads, composting heads, bidets, upgraded plumbing… this category came up a lot (and often with strong language, haha).

Why it matters:

• It’s the most-used system on board
• Poor head design can make life miserable, fast
• Comfort and cleanliness matter more than people expect
• A good head is a genuine morale booster

As one commenter bluntly stated: “you can tolerate a lot on a boat, but a bad toilet will break you.”

Honorable Mentions (That Almost Made the Top 5)

• Starlink (connectivity is a modern cruising revolution)
• Ground tackle (good ground tackle = peace of mind = more enjoyable cruising)
• Refrigeration (makes cruising feel less like camping)
• Coffee makers and espresso machines (suddenly, night watches aren’t so bad…)
• Full enclosures and dodgers (protection from the elements is key)
• “My wife/husband/partner” (frequently and enthusiastically mentioned)

The Big Takeaway

What stood out most wasn’t just the gear; it was what that gear enables:

• Rest
• Independence
• Safety
• Comfort

At the end of the day, the “best thing” on a boat is about making life afloat sustainable, enjoyable, and just a little easier. Thanks for reading, folks! If you want to check out the whole thread on Facebook, you can see it here.

 Fair winds, and good sleep, fresh water, steady steering, reliable power, and a toilet that works. 😉