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Gizmos!
Winter is long up north beyond 46 degrees N. Lat. During that time a person kind of goes looking
through catalogs and surfs the Internet to feed dreams of summer sailing and cruising. It’s a form of two
dimensional shopping but nothing like going to the West Marine store 100 miles away for three
dimensional shopping! I just wish there were lots of marine stores nearby but I’d have to forgo the low
population area where I live for that and I’m no city dweller. Catalogs have to do.
One of the things I wanted for my boat was a barometer. I like to do my own weather observations and
a barometer is a really important device on a boat. I looked and drooled but didn’t find what I wanted.
In Annapolis at the boat show I found a small brass one, lovely little thing, old and it had a cracked
glass face plate plus a very fancy price. I kept looking.
Eventually a sales catalog came in the mail and I thumbed through it. In the back was a tiny electronic
gizmo. It was a Brunton barometer combined with thermometer, clock, altimeter and wind speed
reader. The power supply was a tiny, flat, coin-shaped battery. The price was right for the 2 ounce
thing. It came with a lanyard and could be worn like a necklace. And, it had personality as some man-
made gizmos do. How nice to have a tiny instrument that was fun to look at as well as easy to use, and
suitable for a small boat.
One quality the gizmo has is indicating a sixteen hour barometric trend showing the changes over two
hour “bumps”. I quickly found it to be a great aid in forecasting my own local weather. It has never
failed to be a good indicator of what was about to occur within the next 8 to 24 hours. I ended up using
it all year around, having it in the house off season and aboard the boat when cruising. I’ve even taken
it traveling when I go for that multi-day trip to visit family several states away.
Another gizmo I use a lot is a headlamp. I have an LED one for reading after dark. I have an older one
that gives a better general light using standard flashlight bulbs. I have an LED lantern that has low or
bright white light, and red flashing options. It is like a 4 inch lantern and gives good general lighting
on the small boat.
The small hockey puck shaped tap lights are great on a boat. They are cheap enough if one quits
working it is easily replaced. I’ve never had one quit on me and the batteries seem to last all summer.
The bulbs are LED type. I have one by the companionway and another on the side of the boat plus
another farther forward where I usually have my head when I sleep. I use the puck lights for general
lighting, especially in the fall season when the days are so short.
I also have a shake flashlight. It has no batteries. You make your own power by shaking the flashlight
vigorously for a few minutes. It has LED bulbs too and has been very serviceable for general lighting,
for taking with me if I go visit another boat and for the legal requirements for the boat to have a light
visible for two miles.
Plastic drawers might not be gizmos but if you take a look at a K-Mart, Target, Macy’s or Wal-Mart or
large hardware/housewares store, Dollar stores, and grocery stores, you might find plastic drawers
that will fit into your boat’s nooks and crannies. Sure, they are not teak, nor are they lovely, but, they
are very useful and will give you organized storage spaces.
I have a three drawer unit that I use as my office aboard the boat. I store stationary, pens, note pads,
envelopes, paper clips, rubber bands, and misc. small stuff in one drawer. In another are all the wee
things that accumulate on a boat when you live aboard for months at a time: spare corks for the cockpit
drain, navigation dividers, short ruler, spare keys to padlocks, padlock for companionway, a couple of
bandannas, boat cards, misc. stuff. The third drawer holds some handkerchiefs, a small sewing kit, lip
balm, a tube of hand creme, and so on.
I found two drawers that sit atop one another, grooved so they won’t slide. They fit under a seat
extension on Raggedy Annie and hold all my clothes for the summer’s cruise. Another drawer unit
became my galley box. I screwed an old insulated counter protector I found for 50cents at a thrift shop
to the top of the drawer unit and use it for a kitchen counter top where I can put the stove and set a hot
pot if I need to.
I have two small shoe box sized drawer units for kitchen utensils and another for spices, herbs, and
other cooking condiments. The list to fit your boat won’t be short! These drawer units are fun to seek out.
Measure up the spaces and see what you can find. They are cheap, sturdy and, although not
waterproof, secure your things so you can find stuff and not lose stuff in the bilge.
I recently bought a range finder. The type of cruising I do demands piloting skills and one of my
weaknesses is judging distances off from some point of land or a buoy, a lighthouse or even another
boat. The range finder gives me instant laser determined distances and can be set for feet or meters or
yards. It has been really helpful and I enjoy having it. It is useful in picking a place to anchor when
there are other boats nearby. That way I don’t get too close to other boaters. And, I can judge my
swing circle too when I’m anchored.
A hand-held bearing compass is really nice to have. You can use it in a dinghy, or as a back-up to the
ship’s compass. I like the accuracy of one for doing the trig functions to find speed over the ground. I
don’t have a knot meter so can do the math with the bearings accurately taken instead.
My GPS also has a speed function and I can double check my hand taken bearings against the data on
the GPS. I don’t have a fancy GPS. I learned navigation before GPS were a mote in the eye of the
military and have never purchased a chart plot type GPS. I don’t often use my GPS except for general
navigation on longer crossings and only in the USA since my GPS doesn’t have an Ontario, Canada
data card. I did find the GPS to be very helpful in the Albemarle Sound and in the Chesapeake Bay. I
still navigated by paper chart, dividers and parallel rules! The GPS backed up my navigation and
confirmed things for me. Someday I’ll maybe buy a better unit.
The CDI roller furler/reefer is a great gizmo. I really like having it. I don’t know why I didn’t have one
on Peapod. I did use a jib downhaul. On Peapod Again, my new old WWP15 will have a CDI put on
before I cruise with her. I really like the ability to reef and balance the sail against the main when it is
reefed also. It makes for much better handling and sailing characteristics. It and a gizmo worth having
for sure!
A friend made me a roller bracket to put over the transom where my stern anchor rode can ride cleanly
as it pays out and is retrieved. It helps guide the line in and out so it doesn’t get caught on the ladder
and it helps keep the line away from the motor in case the prop is still turning. I can place the roller
bracket where I want it and where it functions best in the conditions since it fits snuggly over the
transom. It’s small enough for easy storage too.
Finally, but not last surely, is boat shoes. I usually wear sandals made especially for boating. They have
siped soles that do not slip on decks wet or dry. They’re comfortable and worn daily, wet and dry,
walking on land, rocks, sand, stones, pavements and in the water as well as on the boat. They generally
last two full seasons. I watch carefully to find them on sale since they are relatively expensive.
An alternate is the siped soled boat moccasins. I prefer the sandals myself. I do use sunscreen on my
feet as a result! I also have a pair of boat boots with siped soles. They have been wonderful when it is
really cold out or muddy at a landing. I wear wool socks inside the boots. I have worn socks with my
sandals too, when it is cold. I’ve found that polypro or capilene socks or wool work best.
Well, not last the shoes, but the gloves. I found some rubberized-palm work gloves where crabbers
buy their gear. I got a pair and used them hauling anchor rodes! I’ve since found them in hardware
stores, lumberyards and at garden stores. They are wonderful. You can really get a grip on the line.
They get dirty and wet but it doesn’t matter. I simply hang them to dry and they stay fine, last a long
time and are dirt cheap. I really recommend them, especially if you have any arthritis issues that can
rob you of hand strength. Gardeners love them too.
Have fun finding gizmos for your boating safety and pleasure. I certainly have!
Annie Westlund
westlund@lighthouse.net
Winter is long up north beyond 46 degrees N. Lat. During that time a person kind of goes looking
through catalogs and surfs the Internet to feed dreams of summer sailing and cruising. It’s a form of two
dimensional shopping but nothing like going to the West Marine store 100 miles away for three
dimensional shopping! I just wish there were lots of marine stores nearby but I’d have to forgo the low
population area where I live for that and I’m no city dweller. Catalogs have to do.
One of the things I wanted for my boat was a barometer. I like to do my own weather observations and
a barometer is a really important device on a boat. I looked and drooled but didn’t find what I wanted.
In Annapolis at the boat show I found a small brass one, lovely little thing, old and it had a cracked
glass face plate plus a very fancy price. I kept looking.
Eventually a sales catalog came in the mail and I thumbed through it. In the back was a tiny electronic
gizmo. It was a Brunton barometer combined with thermometer, clock, altimeter and wind speed
reader. The power supply was a tiny, flat, coin-shaped battery. The price was right for the 2 ounce
thing. It came with a lanyard and could be worn like a necklace. And, it had personality as some man-
made gizmos do. How nice to have a tiny instrument that was fun to look at as well as easy to use, and
suitable for a small boat.
One quality the gizmo has is indicating a sixteen hour barometric trend showing the changes over two
hour “bumps”. I quickly found it to be a great aid in forecasting my own local weather. It has never
failed to be a good indicator of what was about to occur within the next 8 to 24 hours. I ended up using
it all year around, having it in the house off season and aboard the boat when cruising. I’ve even taken
it traveling when I go for that multi-day trip to visit family several states away.
Another gizmo I use a lot is a headlamp. I have an LED one for reading after dark. I have an older one
that gives a better general light using standard flashlight bulbs. I have an LED lantern that has low or
bright white light, and red flashing options. It is like a 4 inch lantern and gives good general lighting
on the small boat.
The small hockey puck shaped tap lights are great on a boat. They are cheap enough if one quits
working it is easily replaced. I’ve never had one quit on me and the batteries seem to last all summer.
The bulbs are LED type. I have one by the companionway and another on the side of the boat plus
another farther forward where I usually have my head when I sleep. I use the puck lights for general
lighting, especially in the fall season when the days are so short.
I also have a shake flashlight. It has no batteries. You make your own power by shaking the flashlight
vigorously for a few minutes. It has LED bulbs too and has been very serviceable for general lighting,
for taking with me if I go visit another boat and for the legal requirements for the boat to have a light
visible for two miles.
Plastic drawers might not be gizmos but if you take a look at a K-Mart, Target, Macy’s or Wal-Mart or
large hardware/housewares store, Dollar stores, and grocery stores, you might find plastic drawers
that will fit into your boat’s nooks and crannies. Sure, they are not teak, nor are they lovely, but, they
are very useful and will give you organized storage spaces.
I have a three drawer unit that I use as my office aboard the boat. I store stationary, pens, note pads,
envelopes, paper clips, rubber bands, and misc. small stuff in one drawer. In another are all the wee
things that accumulate on a boat when you live aboard for months at a time: spare corks for the cockpit
drain, navigation dividers, short ruler, spare keys to padlocks, padlock for companionway, a couple of
bandannas, boat cards, misc. stuff. The third drawer holds some handkerchiefs, a small sewing kit, lip
balm, a tube of hand creme, and so on.
I found two drawers that sit atop one another, grooved so they won’t slide. They fit under a seat
extension on Raggedy Annie and hold all my clothes for the summer’s cruise. Another drawer unit
became my galley box. I screwed an old insulated counter protector I found for 50cents at a thrift shop
to the top of the drawer unit and use it for a kitchen counter top where I can put the stove and set a hot
pot if I need to.
I have two small shoe box sized drawer units for kitchen utensils and another for spices, herbs, and
other cooking condiments. The list to fit your boat won’t be short! These drawer units are fun to seek out.
Measure up the spaces and see what you can find. They are cheap, sturdy and, although not
waterproof, secure your things so you can find stuff and not lose stuff in the bilge.
I recently bought a range finder. The type of cruising I do demands piloting skills and one of my
weaknesses is judging distances off from some point of land or a buoy, a lighthouse or even another
boat. The range finder gives me instant laser determined distances and can be set for feet or meters or
yards. It has been really helpful and I enjoy having it. It is useful in picking a place to anchor when
there are other boats nearby. That way I don’t get too close to other boaters. And, I can judge my
swing circle too when I’m anchored.
A hand-held bearing compass is really nice to have. You can use it in a dinghy, or as a back-up to the
ship’s compass. I like the accuracy of one for doing the trig functions to find speed over the ground. I
don’t have a knot meter so can do the math with the bearings accurately taken instead.
My GPS also has a speed function and I can double check my hand taken bearings against the data on
the GPS. I don’t have a fancy GPS. I learned navigation before GPS were a mote in the eye of the
military and have never purchased a chart plot type GPS. I don’t often use my GPS except for general
navigation on longer crossings and only in the USA since my GPS doesn’t have an Ontario, Canada
data card. I did find the GPS to be very helpful in the Albemarle Sound and in the Chesapeake Bay. I
still navigated by paper chart, dividers and parallel rules! The GPS backed up my navigation and
confirmed things for me. Someday I’ll maybe buy a better unit.
The CDI roller furler/reefer is a great gizmo. I really like having it. I don’t know why I didn’t have one
on Peapod. I did use a jib downhaul. On Peapod Again, my new old WWP15 will have a CDI put on
before I cruise with her. I really like the ability to reef and balance the sail against the main when it is
reefed also. It makes for much better handling and sailing characteristics. It and a gizmo worth having
for sure!
A friend made me a roller bracket to put over the transom where my stern anchor rode can ride cleanly
as it pays out and is retrieved. It helps guide the line in and out so it doesn’t get caught on the ladder
and it helps keep the line away from the motor in case the prop is still turning. I can place the roller
bracket where I want it and where it functions best in the conditions since it fits snuggly over the
transom. It’s small enough for easy storage too.
Finally, but not last surely, is boat shoes. I usually wear sandals made especially for boating. They have
siped soles that do not slip on decks wet or dry. They’re comfortable and worn daily, wet and dry,
walking on land, rocks, sand, stones, pavements and in the water as well as on the boat. They generally
last two full seasons. I watch carefully to find them on sale since they are relatively expensive.
An alternate is the siped soled boat moccasins. I prefer the sandals myself. I do use sunscreen on my
feet as a result! I also have a pair of boat boots with siped soles. They have been wonderful when it is
really cold out or muddy at a landing. I wear wool socks inside the boots. I have worn socks with my
sandals too, when it is cold. I’ve found that polypro or capilene socks or wool work best.
Well, not last the shoes, but the gloves. I found some rubberized-palm work gloves where crabbers
buy their gear. I got a pair and used them hauling anchor rodes! I’ve since found them in hardware
stores, lumberyards and at garden stores. They are wonderful. You can really get a grip on the line.
They get dirty and wet but it doesn’t matter. I simply hang them to dry and they stay fine, last a long
time and are dirt cheap. I really recommend them, especially if you have any arthritis issues that can
rob you of hand strength. Gardeners love them too.
Have fun finding gizmos for your boating safety and pleasure. I certainly have!
Annie Westlund
westlund@lighthouse.net