Best idea under $20

I have applied clear adhesive backed mylar, the stuff sold in rolls at auto parts stores as stone guard, to areas on my boat that are vulnerable to abrasion or chips. I have applied it to the center strip of my bow deck from the hatch to the anchor and also to the bottom on each side of the keel from the stem to about four feet back. It is invisible and very durable and prevents scratching of the gel coat. This is the second season for it and it looks as good as the day I applied it. I no longer worry about scratching the bottom of the boat during launch and retrieval.
 
One of these....and it pays to have it.

WOW... saw this $15 dollar range gagit at West Marine called a Inclinometer... and being on a long range trip of about 300-400 miles solo on my old classic 18 Angler, I thought the boat running flat to the surface would be more comfortable, look better, and get better fuel efficiency. I was kinda blown away at the mileage differance. On a previous similar trip, I "averaged" in similar running/water/weather conditions about 5.5 mpgs on my 18 Angler with the 50 hp suzi, same prop... This mileage was a combination of up/down stream in the Old Hickory Lake portion of the Cumerland River. On a tighter up river run, ( more pronounced current), running true level, I gained just over 1 mpg... I bought the cheap one, and when I clean my truck today and find the receipt, I can give you the model number too..

Has anyone else played with this as to be sure they ARE running level. I also found that what I thought "felt" level, using the trim tabs, was not correct. I found that by 1st leveling the boat sitting still, then just using the tabs for bow level changes produced a nicer ride, free"er" steering... Kinda made me go Hummmmm

Something to be said for a neat little boat that you can just slide your 60 quart cooler(s) from side to side and make such a differance.

Other link on this and fuel dock talk...

http://www.c-brats.com/viewtopic.php?t=5804&highlight=
 
dotnmarty":3u0d48ho said:
On the 16 footer I have one outside of each window opening, about an arm lengths down, and one on each side of the cockpit, upside down. Tie a loop on a short line attached to each fender.
Click to expand...

I just found this thread and am reading it from the beginning.

On my Tom Cat, I have a cheap plastic hook from WM on my forward fender lines. I reach out the window and hook it to the railing that goes around the front of the top.

Warren
 
Plastic suction cups work well for "hooks" to hang things, and can be suctioned to any smooth surface.

I bought two packages (total = under $20!) with a pair each of large, medium and small suction cups. I have several located on the outside of the bulkhead in the cockpit: these can be used to hang caps or sunvisors, (rain) jackets or sweaters. A couple are suctioned to the inside of the windows at the back of the cabin: these can be used for caps or jackets, and those on the galley side for hand towels or washcloths, etc. A couple are located in the V-berth area, suctioned to the smooth fiberglass panel covering the electrical area: these are used to hang underwear or ?

One good feature of these suction cups is that their installation is not permanent: they can be easily moved to wherever they serve best!
 
Not an idea and not new, just informational. I got a great Husky hand held light for 14.99 at Home Depot. In addition to the 2.5 halogen directional beam it also has two led lights that will run 35 hours continuous on a full charge. A great deal after my $60. marine light only lasted a couple of months. This feels like a real heavy duty light and charges on AC or DC power. :thup
 
We found a crank flashlight at Goodwill for 4.99. It really works, bright light, no batteries, and a few cranks charges it for a long time. I went back a second time and bought 5 of them!
 
Heres one for Ranger owners. Flushing out the engine is real simple
with the use of a washing machine hose with a double female hose fitting
on each end. Turn off the sea cock, attach the washing machine hose
to the T fitting and a garden hose to the other end. Everyone must have
one left over because it was still good, and they came in pairs.
Bob Heselberg Eatonville Wa
 
Despite having a mapping GPS, I always like to have a chart at my side , sort of a belt and suspenders mentality. But from day one I've had trouble keeping the chart oriented properly and not having it slip off the dash. So I just bought a 1" x 3' piece of 12 ga. steel and cut two eight inch pieces off it. Then I sprayed all three pieces with clear acrylic to thwart rust and wrapped them in a nice black textured tape. Then I mounted the pieces to the dash using heavy duty 3M mounting tape. The two eight inch pieces I put behind the vinyl above the V-berth entry and the 20" piece just above on the little inclined portion of the dash. They're all quite unnoticeable. And I ordered some of those strong, rare-earth magnets from a woodworking store. The combination should allow me to drape a chart in any postion I want and not have it fall off. Admittedly, one might want to think twice about this if you have a compass nearby, but for me it should work admirably.
Al
 
Despite having a mapping GPS, I always like to have a chart at my side , sort of a belt and suspenders mentality. But from day one I've had trouble keeping the chart oriented properly and not having it slip off the dash. So I just bought a 1" x 3' piece of 12 ga. steel and cut two eight inch pieces off it. Then I sprayed all three pieces with clear acrylic to thwart rust and wrapped them in a nice black textured tape. Then I mounted the pieces to the dash using heavy duty 3M mounting tape. The two eight inch pieces I put behind the vinyl above the V-berth entry and the 20" piece just above on the little inclined portion of the dash. They're all quite unnoticeable. And I ordered some of those strong, rare-earth magnets from a woodworking store. The combination should allow me to drape a chart in any postion I want and not have it fall off. Admittedly, one might want to think twice about this if you have a compass nearby, but for me it should work admirably.
Al
 
$3.00 and a 1/2" X 1 1/8" hole later, my wife now has her OWN windshield wiper switch next to the wiper! Now she can control her own wiper the way she wants!
Dick
 
:idea Now Dan, that's a really bright idea.

Those hooks don't have to be reserved just for wet slickers, either. C-Farer will be sporting a couple of them when she hits the water this spring.

Pat
 
I have used Future floor wax as a flexible waterproof coating on maps and my Folboat hull, made of hypalon. It seems to restore waterproofness and luster. I read about it in Make magazine.[/u]
 
I used a computer fan mounted on standoffs made from a tv antenna
to get the fan away from the woodwork that holds the radio in my little
tug. Ran a 12 volt line down to the power plug and now at least one
window will not be steamed up from my coffee in the morning. I kept
it simple in case it did not work. Right now the boat is snowed in.
Bob Heselberg Eatonville Wa
 
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