Cruising gadgets, knowledge, and ideas for the cruising sailor
This is a good way to organize and not lose things in the refrigerator box. Lingerie Bags – for the guys that don’t know, these are small mesh bags that ladies put their frilly under things in when they go in the washer machine. They are about a two gallon size, have a nylon zipper, and are very sturdy. I
» Read moreParticularly while racing, I like to keep a good multi tool handy. The one I’ve found to be the most useful is the Leatherman Skeletool CX. It’s got a nifty clip built into the handle, so it can clip on to your belt loop. This tool is lighter than most others, (the CX model has carbon fiber and Titanium coating
» Read moreThis is simply a watch with a build in flash light. There are a lot of dark places on a sailboat even during daylight. You would find this handy deep in lockers, under floor boards, under the mattresses, back around the stuffing box and water strainers, and deep in the bottom of the fridge. At night, it can light the
» Read moreHand Held Depth Finder. This is just what it sounds like. It’s about the size of a flash light. It will instantly tell you how deep the water is, and the water temperature. we launch the dinghy and go scouting with this device. I use it primarily for two things. To check the depth for either anchoring, or passing through
» Read moreIf you have wet cell batteries, you will need to add water from time to time. Especially after equalizing the batteries. You do equalize your batteries don’t you? Nonetheless, so you don’t spill water everywhere, try using an empty dish detergent plastic bottle, or a drinking bottle. I’m talking about something with that little pull up push down nozzle or
» Read moreWe keep a “mini” scuba tank aboard. I say keep aboard, because I’ve actually never had to use it while cruising. I keep it for emergencies. It’s small, light weight, and easy to store aboard. I do use it while in home port. Recently, without hauling the boat, I pulled my prop, painted it, and put it back on the
» Read moreDinghy Mate Saddle Tank This is a dinghy motor fuel tank that attaches to the transom of your dinghy. It has two brackets that hold it in place. It is up off the floor and out of the way. It gives you more room in the dinghy, a real luxury. The one shown here is the three gallon model on
» Read moreDrop Cloth at companionway – I’ve always liked to have one of these on my boats. They keep the rain out, help keep the AC in, and protect the finish on the drop boards while the boat is in storage mode. At night, if there are lights on inside the boat, this can help block the light for the helmsman.
» Read moreMosquito Net at Companionway and Hatches – OK guys, it’s time to learn a new word. “Tulle”, it pronounced like tool. This is a light weight mesh material that women use in sewing things like veils. Have you ever looked at a wedding bride and though, “gee, that would make a great mosquito netting.” Well it does. There are a
» Read moreSoda Stream – We make our own diet coke and tonic water with our Soda Stream. The cost of buying coke in some places will certainly make you hesitate, and to bring enough sodas for a cruise to the islands is a real burden. However, we find the biggest benefit is that we don’t generate trash from cans and cartons.
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