Cruising gadgets, knowledge, and ideas for the cruising sailor
Essential boat items like a siphon hose, a bucket, screen material, and so forth.
When I travel I like to pack light. When flying to a location to do a boat delivery, I insist that my crew only travel with a carry on bag. We just can’t afford having a lost bag that might cause delays or worse, no gear or clothes. So they have to pack light too. I can fit all
» Read moreGet a “SKIN” for snorkeling This gadget is for those of you that might do some snorkeling in the Tropics, or places where there are jellyfish like the Great Barrier Reef, or the Chesapeake Bay. It’s called a SKIN or a rash guard. It is a nylon or lycra jumpsuit of sorts. It is stretchy, lightweight, and can be packed
» Read moreThe Headlamp ….., what a great invention. Coal miners could work hands free with good light right where they wanted it. The same is true for sailors today. We can work hands free and put the light where we need it, particularly in the engine compartment. But sometimes headlamps can be the pebble in your shoe, the burr in your
» Read moreMy friends on POLAKO, Scott and Shelly, use a tool tote in their cockpit to corral all the miscellaneous gear that is often laying about the cockpit. This tote has side pockets that are ideal for a cell phone or glasses. In it they keep a knife, an airhorn, a spotlight, binoculars, clothespins, sunscreen, and a half dozen other things.
» Read moreExperienced cruisers always use two painters to secure their dinghies. Why? Because of their experiences. These seasoned sailors, who know how to cleat a line and tie a knot have had their dinghies go on a “walkabout” when using just one painter. It happened to me three times before I learned the lesson. It’s cheap dinghy insurance. A neat way
» Read moreLures can be expensive, especially in far away places. And who knows what works best? On TRIUMPH we have our favorite lures like the red and white cedar plug and the tan 9 inch rubber squid that skips on top of the water. But we also make our own lures. It’s fun, and if you have kids aboard you can
» Read moreFor both safety and courtesy, make a spear “tip cover” for your pole spear. It’s simple. Just cut a piece of rubber hose that will fit snuggly over your spear tip. This is the courteous thing to do if you are getting into a friend’s inflatable dinghy to go spear fishing. I know that I cringe when someone gets into
» Read more1/4″ Synthetic “Dyneema” like line Because you just never know, I carry a 50 foot section of ¼” synthetic line as a spare on my boat. It can be used for a variety of things. The reason I have it is to replace a broken shroud or a broken steering cable. It’s that strong! This ¼” cable can carry
» Read moreWe carry a Honda 2000 generator on board. We rarely use the thing, but when we need it, it is sure great to have. I prefer the Honda because it’s so quiet and will not disturb our neighbors in an anchorage. To protect it from the saltwater environment, I keep it in a case. The case is a clear bag
» Read moreThis is about as low tech as it gets on two accounts. Clothespins and my brain. They say that the secret to a happy marriage is a bad memory. I’ve been happily married 42 years now. I’ve had a bad memory as far back as I can remember, so I now use clothespins to remind myself of things on the
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