Some manufacturers just prepare the boat in its standard equiping to match what a prudent owner would want -- others play games. Over twenty years ago, Bristol was going to charge me extra for double hose clamps for the thru-hull under the water. That was only one of a few of those sorts of things that led me to buy a Sabre.

Sometimes, in the case of batteries, for example, it's a function of a design mistake or difference in priorities; and sometimes, it's just a pricing game to save a few bucks (or provide the dealer with false "upgrade" margins).

It's hard to imagine that most cruisers wouldn't provide easy provisions for alternators, adequate sized batter banks, etc. If you had a 1970's vintage boat, it might not be quite what a 1995 boat would be (or one later).

Of course the PARDEY's dont' worry about such things (they didn't even have an engine). ;^)))