It’s time to get ready for the annual shake-down or first big weekend sail. I have selected tips to help you prepare the boat or stow items. I will mention some specific products that I have used or have been recommended to me by other boaters.
CLEANING UP AND GETTING READY: Non-skid surfaces on deck or in the cockpit – use “Zep Citrus Cleaner and Degreaser” which is sold at Home Depot. When mixed with water, this concentrate is effective for light to moderate soils. I’ve also heard it is great for cleaning gasoline engines, but haven’t tried it on a Diesel.
Zipper & Snap Lubricant waterproofs, lubricates, and reduces friction. I wish I knew about it a long time ago, as it was fantastic for our dodger zippers!
“On & Off Hull and Bottom Cleaner” - I wanted to mention this now for boats that were kept in the water all winter. “On & Off” instantly removes waterline stains, algae stains, rust and gas exhaust stains from your boat's bottom and hull areas. It also softens barnacle rings for easy removal. This biodegradable formula, purchased at marine stores, is to be brushed on and rinsed off.
Cleaning white bumpers - “Bleche White” may be found in automotive stores. It makes the bumpers look like new again, but use with caution and plenty of water.
Stowing things away: Use plastic shoe boxes to organize small items. These can be stowed behind the main salon cabinet doors and pin rails or moldings in the cabin areas. Shoe boxes are stackable, cheap, and they don’t rust! Before turning on your refrigeration cold plate, use linseed or vegetable oil on the metal surface to expedite defrosting of the unit(s) during or at the end of the season. Crackers, dry cereal and sugar keep well near the engine or hot water heater, which acts as a crisper.
So now the boat is ready, so how do you sail, what should you stock?
The first order of business is to identify the type of cruising you do; are you and others on your boat overnight, weekend, or vacation week(s) travelers? Do you like to eat sit-down, complete meals or graze at a cocktail “hour?”
If you are not sure of the latter, or like to be available for flexible planning, then you may want to stock items, fresh or canned, that can be used for either. For example, a can of crabmeat can be used to create a crab dip or a seafood casserole, fresh chicken or beef can be used to create a meal or cut up into bite size pieces, marinated, and stir fried for cocktail hour.
As you begin to stock your boat for the summer season, consider purchasing flannel sheets during the end of season sales. According to Jeanne Elliott, who has traveled in My Bride to Maine and the Bahamas, a flannel bottom sheet (or both sheets) does not hold a feeling of dampness. Another method of challenging dampness is use to bubble wrap for lining lockers and placing between the mattresses and the storage areas below. Jeanne says: "We installed bubble wrap using tape all around edges in attempt to prevent any air flow behind wrap, and so avert mildew. So far so good, but may double check this season by removing a piece. We only installed in areas of lockers that are below water line as this is obviously where hull gets coldest and wet, especially in Maine waters.”
Life on a boat, whether for a few hours or a few months, can have interesting challenges. We are so used to the comforts of our homes, it takes some creative thinking to recreate the things we may take for granted at home. The following tips are meant to make cruising easier this summer.
A step hanging from the side of boat makes it easier to get down to low docks or low tenders.
PRODUCTS WITH MULTIPLE USES:
Skin So Soft by Avon: Bug repellent mix with a ratio of 3:1 or 5:1 with water clean life lines
Dryer sheets: Keep one in pocket of shorts - acts as bug repellent Use between layers of clothes packed in zip loc bags to keep moisture out or to deter mildew. (Marybeth leaves clothes on the boat all winter).
Use a chamois for wringing out hair or hand washed items;
Use Joy dishwashing detergent when using salt water to wash hair or dishes;
Nail polish remover without acetone to clean life lines;
Simple Green: spray on gas or diesel drips or overflow to break-up film and disperse. (note that this is illegal in some states ..like Connecticut)
LIGHTING: Place a solar light, like those used to line walkways or driveways, on a winch or flag holder during the day, and then use its light to find your way home after cocktails or dinner. If placed above the cabin where you sleep, it can also be a night light;
Battery powered candles or tea-lights make great night lights.
IN THE GALLEY: Use a hot ice pick to put hole in top of the plastic lid for toothpicks; they can be shaken out one by one. If you use nutcrackers for eating lobster, clean the rubber band from the claw and use it to hold the ends of the “cracker” together. (Saves space and jumble in a drawer.)
Use your broiler to make toast. Place bread on a broiler tray under the flame for 2-3 minutes on each side. watch carefully.
Admiral’s Corner # 4 - September 2009
The season is coming to a close and some will be hauling their boat, while others will be leaving their vessel in the water. While the purpose of this column is not to give instructions on preparing and winterizing your boat, I do have a few reminders. No Birds in the Boom
Keep your boat from “going condo.” To keep birds, rodents or other vermin from using your boat as their winter residence, make sure there are no possible entrances to the interior or the rigging. I have heard of some people spreading a deterrent like moth balls through the vessel. Clean, Clean, Clean Your Boat
Before putting your boat to bed for the winter, be sure to give it a good cleaning inside and out. When cleaning the interior, don’t forget the teak, vinyl and carpet. These are areas where dirt, combined with moisture can breed mildew, especially in the dark environment of a covered boat with little or no ventilation. To help keep your boat free of mildew, you may want to install a dehumidifier or use one of the odor/moisture “absorbers” offered by various manufacturers.
Products such as Dri-Z-Air or Damp Rid, purchased at marine stores, Home Depot or Wal-Mart,use calcium chloride pellets in a container or enclosed in a bag. (The white crystals that you put on the sidewalk to melt ice are also calcium chloride.) The idea is the pellets absorb the moisture and gradually dissolve leaving behind a liquid (salt water) that needs to be disposed of - but never into your holding tank as it may cause corrosion.
Turn any cushions up on edge so that air can circulate around them, or better yet, remove them from the boat for storage in a climate controlled area. Remove all drain plugs and put them in a place where they’ll be easy to find when you’re ready to bring your boat out of winter hibernation. Drain any existing water and clean the bilge on your boat too, and protect it with a coating of moisture displacing lubricant and a little antifreeze.
Change the fuel filter and water separator (which may also have a filter) and add a fuel stabilizer to the gas tank to ensure that the gas will be fresh come spring.
New Name or Logo
If you are replacing the lettering on the side or back of the boat, it is very easy to do it yourself if you use the correct methods. To remove the old lettering - use a hairdryer to soften the plastic and a rubber scrapper to peel it away. There will be adhesive left behind so use GooGone and lots of elbow grease. Acetone works very quickly to remove the adhesive, but the captain on my boat would have a stroke if I did. Acetone can also soften and damage the fiberglass. However, if you decide to use the acetone to speed up the process, I strongly suggest rinsing the fiberglass with water immediately as you complete each small area. When applying the new lettering make a diluted mixture of dish detergent and water. Spray this solution on the area and apply the new graphic. Use the rubber scrapper again to rub over the new piece squeezing out the air and solution. It is best to ask your printer for complete instructions; mine did not offer them and we used a trial and error method until we got some directions from the Zipetos (Summer Sun).