17X MARKS THE SPOT Does the boatyard have a hard time positioning the slings every time you’re hauled?
To help prevent accidental damage to
underwater gear, visually note the correct
locations of the slings, and after wards paint
a small mark, or have graphics made, indicating exactly where each sling goes on the
hull/deck joint.
18ANCHORS UP If you’re always wondering how much
anchor chain you’ve put out, mark the
links with a neon paint spaced at 25-foot
intervals. Paint one mark for the first 25
feet, two marks for the second and so forth.
Make the marks big and you’ll see them
from the flybridge. And remember, put out
enough anchor rode or chain to equal at
least five times your water depth.
19
SAVING THE SWITCHBOARD
To prevent a potentially dangerous moisture
buildup in electronics stored on board, put
some dry rice near them to absorb mois-
ture. Heat the rice in a clean, dry frying
pan until it browns. Place the brown rice
in a cheesecloth bag to keep the grain from
getting into the equipment and harming it.
Check the bags frequently and replace as
necessary when the rice becomes moist.
20GIVE YOUR CHAIN SOME LOVE Anchors and chain are expensive. Extend
their lives by washing your chain and
anchor with fresh water after every use and,
if you can, store it dry. If you don’t have
enough fresh water aboard, rinse it every
time you return to the dock. Periodically
remove all chain from the chain locker and
clean salt and mud/sand from your locker
with a thorough fresh-water rinse.
Every precious moment
counts when it comes to
your boating life.
So, any time you gain back
from a clever maintenance
idea is worth its weight in gold
PHOTO JOHN BEATTY
