BoatU.S. - August/September 2010

38GET A FIVE-STAR SLEEP Memory foam from Wal-Mart and other inexpensive sources works for mattress toppers, or for full mattress replacement. It’s easy to cut to shape for your boat’s beds. For humid areas, the egg-carton shaped foam also can be used under your existing mattress, allowing some air circulation, and additional softness.

39THE KITCHEN CUPBOARD MIRACLE Baking soda and vinegar are the magic solutions to a lot of your boat troubles. A paste of baking soda is great for stain removal on soda spills, mustard drips, and even pen marks on your vinyl seats. If your wiper blades are streaking but aren’t quite ready to be discarded, soak them in a mixture of baking soda and water. Vinegar is also something of a wonder product onboard. Use it for flushing your water maker (check with the manufacturer first), as a raw-water head deodorizer, freshwater hose cleanout, environmentally friendly drain unclogger, gelcoat shiner, and sea-salt stain remover.

31 CURE THE CHAFE To stop lines chafing off the dock or cement, feed the line through about a foot of flexible but hard-wearing tubing, slightly larger than itself, and position the tube on the line where it’s rubbing. If you want it to stay put, drill a little hole in the tube, knot a string through it, and tie the end of the string to your line to keep the tubing positioned exactly. Such a tubing set-up will also stop chafing where the anchor line rubs against the bow.

above. Graphite pencil, candle wax, and WD- 40 are other possibilities for your jammed zippers.

34 GOODBYE GUNK Rather than splash on goo removers you’ll only use once or twice, grab some talc from your bathroom, mix it with a tiny amount of water to make a paste, and rub it onto your deck with a clean rag. Let it sit for a short while and rub off.

40 BATHROOM SHELF SAVERS

Dirt on certain upholsteries can be easily removed with a dollop of shaving cream. Ink and mustard stains come out of vinyl seats easily with a light rub of acetone or oil-free nail-polish remover.

32 CALL OFF THE FRAY To call a halt to unraveling lines, clip the fraying ends, then dip the ends into shellac or liquid electrical tape. (Or learn to whip your lines; it’s fun and so easy.)

35 BOTTOM PAINT BLUES If you sprayed your bottom and there are tiny flakes on your cabin windows, use Murphy’s Oil soap and water. It’ll work even weeks after the paint has dried.

33 FREE YOUR ZIPPERS Lip balm is not just for your mouth, cooking spray is not just for your frying pan, and petroleum jelly is not just for your baby’s behind. If your zippers are stuck or your canvas snaps difficult to snap, then try a little dab of any of the

36 BYE, BYE, BUGS Seal small holes in cabin window screens by pushing the mesh back together and sealing with clear nail polish to keep the small bugs out.

Our tips were compiled from the experiences of BoatU.S. staff members; contributing editor Tom Neale; and author Sandy Lindsey from her book Quick & Easy Boat Maintenance: 1001 Time-Saving Tips (published by McGraw Hill), and Nautical Necessities: Tip & Tricks for Boat Owners from the publishers of DIY Boat Owner. For more great tips, check our June special super issue of BoatU.S. Trailering Magazine (available to members of our Trailering Club www.BoatUS.com/TrailerClub)

PHO TO BY BERNADE T TE BERNON

37 FRESH LIKE LAUNDRY You don’t need expensive air fresheners in your cabin. Get dryer sheets such as Bounce, tuck them into corners and behind cushions on your boat. They help with the stale air and are said to repel insects.