Small purchases that make a difference

c-ness

New member
I was reviewing what we spent on boat items this season (a fair amount I must admit). Some were big ticket items but many were smaller goodies that I thought would make a difference...but did not. Yet two items stood out that I think have made being on the boat more enjoyable and both for under $50.00. The first is a spinner knob for the steering wheel. This has made docking and close quarter maneuvers so much easier. I wouldn't have thought that it could make such a difference. The second is part of a carpenter's belt that I glued to the inside of the cabin door. I stick all of my most used tools there and never have to go searching through a box tucked under a seat. Just reach over and grab a knife or a pair of pliers or a screwdriver.

Anybody else have small items that make a difference?
 
cruiserlessvinny":iw3twg8u said:
Where was a spinner-knob found for under $50?

CV

You can find one at almost any auto-parts store, at J.C. Whitney, or eBay.

Should be able to get one for $15-20, including shipping.

Joe. :teeth :thup
 
A small handle with two suction cups. Stick it fast to the boat if you want to scrub the water line slime in deep water. About $10.00 at West Marine.
 
3 windshield wiper switches, 1 for each wiper (I added a 3rd center window wiper), plus 2 switches on the passenger side. Also a 12V receptacle in the cockpit, use it all the time for inflating or at night for a hand-held light to see the fish below the boat.
 
Zep Heavy-Duty Citrus Degreaser -- esp. good for cleaning black streaks on the white fiberglass above the rub rail and the transome well when it gets a greasy film on it. Keeps the white of your boat white. Smells good and is water soluble so it washes right off. :thup
 
a tube of any brand chap stick, stick it into the female snaps of your canvas items such as camper tops, window covers, etc prevents corrosion and lubes up the little spring ring inside.
A small container of vasoline for bases on light buls to prevent corrosion and aid in removal of the bulbs on your trailer lights if you have not switched to LED lights.
D.D.
 
Will-C":ln0iid73 said:
a tube of any brand chap stick, stick it into the female snaps of your canvas items such as camper tops, window covers, etc prevents corrosion and lubes up the little spring ring inside.
A small container of vasoline for bases on light buls to prevent corrosion and aid in removal of the bulbs on your trailer lights if you have not switched to LED lights.
D.D.

Good choice, Dave!

Use that Chapstick also on the KKK and other brand zippers of your Sunbrella enclosures and covers! Not only do they work smoother, but it cuts down on wear on the plastic teeth, and therefore extends the life of the enclosure/cover. Around here, the zippers wear out before the Sunbrella or brand XXX fabric does, and have to be replaced! Works on foul weather and wet suit zippers, etc., too! Might try it on back packs, sleeping bags, duffel bags, and whatever!

Those John Deere wheel steering knobs have such a low price that it must reflect a advertising subsidy intended by the company. If they get any cheaper, we'll find them in Cracker Jack and cereal boxes! :lol:

Another inexpensive item is a "No-Pest Strip" for the inside of your cabin that keeps the spiders out during the Spring though Fall Spider Season. Just put it into a Zip-Loc bag when you get to the boat and air it out. Bounce sheets work on mice, too, but I'm not sure about spiders.

There are spray dispensed insecticides that can keep the spiders off your boat for months at a time (at least if its not rained on). Roger (Dreamer) tipped me off on one brand that costs $35-$45 for enough to last quite a few years, just dilute it and spray. (Go away for a few hours while it dries out and the concentration drops a bit.) Otherwise, I get tons of "Daddy Long Legs" and other orb spiders on my boats at the slips at the lake. Ran out of names for pet spiders several years ago, so have to fend them off to other vessels. The spiders don't bother me, but their webs gather dirt, and are covered with dead insects, requiring a lot more cleaning chores. The 2"-4" ground spiders don't come calling out in the marina, fortunately, for them. They make good pets for young folks, though, if you can find one! 8)

I put (free) antenna balls on the ends of my antennas, so that when they lay down against the cabin top, the balls protect your eyes from the sharp tips of the antennas, which at that time, are projecting out into the cockpit. (YMMV, since the mount locations may be different.)

IM005674.jpg
Eyeball protectors!

Red striping tape from an automotive store is relatively cheap and can add some extra color trim to your boat, and still be easily removed or replaced. Sure beats painting it on!

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Extra Trim Stripes!

Joe. :teeth :thup
 
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