Most Useful Stuff Aboard for Under $5

[NorthernFocus]

The thread about spraying soap on the boat prior to towing made me think that it would be nice to have a thread where cheap/easy ideas could be compiled. My apologies if this has been done before. I'll kick it off with a couple:

- wet pet fur deodorant: carry Bounce sheets in a ziploc bag. Dry the dog with a towel, rub down with bounce, voila, no wet fur smell.

- the big three: duck tape, zip ties(black ones), and bungi tarp tie-downs (the loops with a plastic ball on them)

- windshield deffoger: keep a small squeegie on the dash (essential for Alaska cruising)

- clothes pins: for the intended purpose and serve double duty as chip clips

 

[Crewdog]

packs of spare batteries, all sizes

ziploc bags, all sizes

Gear Ties (Nite Ize product), various sizes

pocket compass

cliff bars (or other energy bars)

cyalume lightsticks

 

[Brian B]

Just about all the FREE tools Harbor Freight gives away such as multimeter, L. E. D. Flashlight, tape measure, screwdrivers, headlamp, etc.

 

[GA-Midnight Cruise]

Funny to see this post. I was just thinking the other day about my most often used, non-conventional item on board. You wouldn't believe it, but a dollar store, turkey baste-er. I handed my last one off to a distressed boater on the ICW who needed to remove water from the bottom of his fuel tank.

 

[trailertrawlerkismet]

Push in fuses for each amp size we have on the boat, you just never know when you'll need one and when you do wherever you are will most likely not have what you need.

Jim

 

[tlkenyon]

A thing called a "Tree Frog Pad" keep things from sliding around on the dashboard. Do a Google. Marginally more than $5, but close.

 

[j&lgray]

Rain-ex concentrate, applied every two weeks will save on windshield wiper replacements

Re-chargeable batteries

A plug bar saves on having to reach those out-of-way plugs

Shop towels from the auto parts store

Micro-fiber towels: dry really fast

A "line level" by the trim tabs tells you if the boat is level from side-to-side

Label maker tape in different colors saves on remembering all sorts of things

A Brita water filter/pitcher fits in the refrigerator and saves from buying water bottles and all the trash they create

All those cool plastic boxes/trays at Bed Bath & Beyond that fit the shelves so nicely

A plastic spray bottle, white vinegar, and water will do 80% of all the cleaning

 

[RossnBetty]

A butane micro torch.. Over $5 but well worth it.

 

[Hydraulicjump]

A corkscrew for goodness sake!

 

[baz]

Can opener, corkscrew, cig lighter, fuses, some wires and the FREE multi tip screwdriver Ranger supplies with the boat purchase.

 

[Spinner]

Funnels, sharpie markers and transparent tape (for putting your Canadian Customs clearance number up per requirements), a good multi-tool for simple jobs (to avoid pulling out the big tool box).

 

[JamesTXSD]

Funnels, sharpie markers and transparent tape (for putting your Canadian Customs clearance number up per requirements), a good multi-tool for simple jobs (to avoid pulling out the big tool box).

I like a suction cup with a clip on it - makes it easy to display your Canadian Customs clearance number and move it to the other side of the boat when you move to a different slip.

 

[Lone Star Ranger]

A Flux Capacitor... with 1.21 Gigawatts of power!!! No wait, that's not it.

How about a tarp clip, you can find them at most hardware stores near the tarps. These little plastic clips are great if you need to hang a towel. Simply place the clip on the towel, and use the hole of the clip to hang the clipped towel to a hook. No matter how much the boat moves, your towel will never fall to the floor.

 

[JamesTXSD]

Along the lines of a turkey baster, we used one of these on our boat...

http://www.dollartree.com/Water-Blaster ... /index.pro

Great for getting that last bit of water out of the bilge. Or getting water out of the low spots on the dinghy cover. $1 at Dollar Tree.

We originally bought a couple to suck water out of our kayaks, but found them useful on the boat, too.

Jim B.

 

[j&lgray]

12 inch long velcro straps will tame that power cord and can secure it to rails and posts

A half-dozen plastic clips that fit on the rails to secure dry towels

A chain hook and a carabiner turns any stout rope into an anchor bridle

A bubble level that is hung on a string makes a great gauge near the trim tab controls to level the tug from side-to-side

A half-dozen stainless steel, double coat hooks will hold the life jackets, hats and coats

Liquid nails for the indoor projects, and

Spray adhesive for the monkey fur that keeps falling

 

[RossnBetty]

Jim,

Thanks for mentioning the water blisters. They worked well when Andrew was on the water at Poets Cove this year!

Ross