Wall Art to Personalize Your Abode

Vinyl Wall Decals

Add a personal touch to the inside of your abode. Make a HUGE impact or go subtle. It doesn't have to be nauticle, it's up to you! Have a phrase or a poem you love, many sellers will custom design one for you. People notice them as soon as they step onboard.

Pros:  Wall decals come ready to install and require no nails or glues. They weigh less to nothing. Just wipe it clean. You don't have to be artistic to install them. Most sellers will custom size them to fit your space and offer a selection of colors too. If you tire of them you can easily peel them up, no chemicals required. They leave no residue. Big bang for a a few bucks.

Cons: Decals with very fine filigree (thickness of a pencil point) may peel up on their own.

Perfect Boat Bucket

Way Clean 4 Gallon Bucket

From swabbing the deck, doing laundry, holding tools and reef fish this bucket is the right shape and size to get it done. It's the right shape to fit in tight spaces and has a wide flat interior surface that tapers out to make doing the wash much easier.

Channels in the base allow dirt to settle and keep water clean. The side grips and pouring spouts on each end allow for easy carrying and emptying. It has a calibrated measuring strip. It measures 18.5" x 11.75" x 10". 

Warning, don't attempt to fill the bucket in the stream while under way. I broke the handle and have to splurge for a new one. At under $13 it's a bit pricey but well worth it!  

One Size Fits All Knife Holder

Bamboo Skewer Knife Holder

 

For $49 - $89 you can buy this sleek and functional knife holder.

SMALL 2.5"L x 7.75"W x 6"H, LARGE 5"L x 7.5"W x 10"H

Kapoosh Universal Cutlery Block

For $29 you can buy this solid hardwood block with moveable "fibers".

For around $30 do-it-yourselfers can custom size one. Wood skewers are available at almost any dollar store at $1 per pack of 100. The number of skewers can range from 1,400 to 2,500 depending on the size box you assemble. Skewers should be snug but not tight.

The hard way is to use lumber pieces, varnish or wax, glue, sanding, etc.

I purchased a wood tissue cover, turned it upside down, cut a wood insert to cover the hole and cut the skewers length to extend 2" above the rim. Our box holds 8+ knives. You can glue the skewers or leave them loose so they can be replaced in the future. If loose they may pop out slightly.

Pros: Each of these versatile knife holder provides a safe, secure cushion for knives without dulling their blades. They can accommodate any size knife.

Eco-Friendly & Cheap Litter Box System

Designed by Susan C.

The goal was to develop a litter system that is clean, easy to maintain, requires less space and weight to store, is eco-friendly, and cheap. We tried the litter box on our 5 year old male and a 6 month old female and they both took to it without any problems.

After initial setup cost, a one 40 pound bag of pine pellets (horse bedding) is under $10 and lasts up to 12 months.

Three things you need to get the new system started:

1.  A Feline Pine Sifting Litter Box. This design works because the upper sifter has feet that raises it from the litter pan and the small grid holes prevent the river rock from falling through the sifter.

2.  About 10 lbs of Mini River Rocks. Just enough for digging but doesn't need to cover entire sifter.

3.  3/4-quart of Horse Pellet Bedding (same as feline pellets but much cheaper) in the litter ban.

The kitty uses the box. The poops sit on top while urine passes through the river rocks and gets absorbed by the pine pellets below. The urine breaks down the pellets into sawdust. Scoop the poop daily and replace sawdust with fresh pellets every 3-4 days.

Ship's Log Nauticle Software

Ship's Log Nauticle Software

Some people prefer to hand write, other's prefer to use a computer. If boating history, parts inventory and alerts, maintenance cost and alerts, fuel use, waypoint highlights and guest visits, etc. are lacking documentation while you're looking for a powerful program that's under $35, this is the software for you. The best compliment we can give is that we use it regularly.

Plethora of Pros:

1.  Convenient Windows® Interface
2.  Powerful Search Engine
3.  Reduced Data Entry
4.  Multi-Vessel Capability
5.  Integrated Crew and Guest Logs 
6.  Trip Planning
7.  Plenty of Logs - Fueling, Maintenance, Radio, etc. 
8.  Automated Offshore Watch Log
9.  GPS Interface
10. Automated Maintenance Scheduling
11. Integrated Parts Lists
12. Advanced Inventory Management 
13. Link Pictures and Documents
14. Reference Material - Complete text and graphics of the latest Coast Guard Navigation Regulations.

Cons:

This software lacks 2 useful features.

1. To track boat registration and docking and other boat history fees.
2. To customize reports and report formatting.

Crystal Ship Software welcomes all suggestions for improvement and these suggested features have been communicated.

Air Tight Bucket Lids

Gamma Seal Lids

 

Pros: These lids are great for keeping foods, tools, yarn, anything that can fit in a bucket fresh and dry. We've learned that bucket lids sold at Home Depot or Lowes do not provide airtight seals. If staying dry really matters, these are worth the investment.

Technical Details:

Universal bucket and pail lid
Fits buckets and pails from 3.5 gallons to 7 gallons
Air tight seal, easy to open and close
Heavy duty durable lid
Double gaskets!

Wifi Booster

Alfa 1 WiFi Booster w/ +9dBi Antenna & Suction Holder

Last year before we got this we were cut off from home communication until we located an internet hotspot such as Starbucks. This year I'm actually creating a blog using this WiFi gadget. It's not like streaming from home but then there's no monthly bill either. Cruising along the east coast US and Bahamas WiFi signals were available at 75% of our anchorages. 

Pros: For under $50 this signal booster makes checking email and talking on Skype possible in many remote locations. What's nice about the portable unit is it can be located and positioned to connect to the strongest WiFi signal available. It's small, light weight and powerful.

Technical Details:

• Includes: 1 - 5dBi Rubber Duck Antenna and 1 - 15" +9dBi Rubber Duck Antenna and Suction cup Window Mount dock
• 802.11b/g, 1000mW of power which is more powerful than any other WiFi adapter on the market
• Very Secure with 64/128/256bit WEP Encryption, TKIP, WPA,WPA2, 802.11i
• Drivers included on CD for Windows 98SE, 2000, ME, WinCE 5.0, XP, 2003, Vista, Mac OS X 10.3/10.4 and GNU/Linux
• The Mount designed for easy clinging on Notebook, Netbook and Window.

If you're interested in mounting this unit permanently outside I'd recommend http://www.wirie.com/. Their waterproof container and mounting system is sound but more important their customer service is excellent.

Convenient Effective Laundry Detergent

Purex Complete 3-in-1 Clean & Clear

 



It was useful to have a small bottle of concentrated laundry detergent for washing small loads in our abode. When it came time to haul weeks worth of laundry ashore a light weight and no mess detergent was what we were looking for. Laundry balls that go from washer to dryer were less effective and broke open spraying beads all over the dryer. These 3-in-1 sheets can be hard to find and worth stocking up.

Pros: These laundry sheets are light weight, easy to store and clean to handle. They're economical since they do both washer to dryer duty.

Product Features  

• Purex Complete 3-in-1 laundry sheets are a loads worth of detergent, softener, and antistatic all on one powerful sheet
• After Wash: Detergent is released during wash cycle
• After Dry: Softener and anti-static are released during warm dryer cycle  

Reading for Women: It's Your Boat Too

It's Your Boat Too

by Suzanne Giesemann

In my fledgling cruiser experience I find that the more knowledge I gain about boating the more I engage in this lifestyle. My partner is very knowledgebale and patient with instruction, but his language and guidance style was too advanced and does not resonate with my level of boating experience. When Shane on s/v Guiding Light recommended this book title I knew it was for me.

I need the basics before I can apply more advanced concepts. This book reviews basic boating concepts in a holistic approach from a woman's conversational point of view. After reading this book I gained a well rounded base knowledge that improved my confidence in articulating and participating as co-captain of our vessel.

From Amazon.com

Product Description

Commander Suzanne Giesemann draws on her twenty years in the Navy as a commanding officer and leadership instructor to write this empowering guide for women boaters. Power or sail, if you’re just going along for the ride, you are limiting your enjoyment on the water. Suzanne encourages women to take a bigger role on board by addressing common fears and self-limiting attitudes. She shares the nautical knowledge necessary to become a safer, more competent, and more confident boater.

Reading for Women: Changing Course, A Guide...

Changing Course, A Woman's Guide to Choosing the Cruising Life
by Debra Ann Cantrell

When I moved aboard I had no sailing experience, just a desire to live an extraordinary life. The first year was devoted to transitioning from land based living to mobile living. The second year I found myself reckonning with thoughts that my male partner could not share. My perception at the time was that women who lived on boats moved aboard with their love for the lifestyle already intact. I found this book helpful in validating that others have similar struggles with making the lifestyle change. This book has an encouraging tone, like a woman mentor for fledgling "Admirals".

From Amazon.com

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Changing Course is first and foremost a primer in rational decision-making. The focus of the book is the question: to cruise or not to cruise, a question Cantrell considers most difficult for women. [But] the book is helpful regardless of who wants to go and who hangs back." - Points East; "Changing Course is aimed at the process of making this major decision about your life. Cantrell's professional skills as a counselor and educator are well exercised in this volume. Above all, she offers reasonable answers about challenges and risk-taking, Many readers will find a safety net inherent in her approach to cruising..." - 48[degrees] North; "Ask any couple living aboard an average-size cruising boat: men troubleshoot; women problem-solve. Men need to know what; women need to know why. Men prefer to learn by doing, figuring out things as they go along; women are more comfortable figuring out how things work before swinging into action." - Sailing

Product Description

"[A] well-researched, gracious and truthful account." --Georgian Bay Today

When her husband proposed living on a boat full-time, Debra Cantrell wondered what other women in her position had done and began a five-year study to find out what choices they had made and how it had all worked out. The result is Changing Course, a guidebook for navigating this odyssey. No matter what the outcome, each woman was strengthened by the experience.

Galley Knife Sharpener

Ozitech Knife Sharpener

Pros: This sharpener comes with all Pros. It doesn't take up much room, leaves our knives in good condition, it's easy to use and the hand guard keeps my fingers safe, even while prepping in motion.


Product Features

• 8 diamond-coated Ozitech fingers ensure a sharp blade in seconds
• Sets the edge bevels and professionally hones at the same time
• Eliminates the error and guesswork associated with traditional sharpeners
• Clam shell unfolds in seconds to provide a strong handle and safety guards
• Measures 1 by 3-1/2 by 4-1/2 inches when folded

LED Light - Motion Sensor, Photocell, Water-resistent, Long Battery Life

Mr. Beam Motion Sensor LED Light

PROS: It's a quality product. They are water resistent, bright, photo cell sensitive, and the batteries last over a year with everyday use. They have a clean design and light a wide area.

CONS: Since it's a directional light it can't be mounted  facing up to have the option of reflecting it onto the ceiling. The LED color is pleasant but I would prefer a built in warmer glow option.

We have these lights mounted above the mirror/medicine cabinet in our boat bathrooms and on the wall above the bilges. The vertical and horizontal surfaces in the head are white except the floors which are dark wood grate. The small head is 3' x 4' and I use a standard orange post-it note to cover the lens and cast a warm glow. The large head is 3' x 7.5' and the light is centrally located providing just enough to light through the entire space.


The sensor is very sensitive and the photocell works great with the ambiant light from the ceiling hatch. On one light the double stick tape wore out after 6 months but it's such a useful light we mounted it permanently.

Silicone Pot Holders for Non-Skid Stability

Silicone Pot Holders

Silicone, Neoprene, Ultrasuede and Sunbrella are at the top of my list for useful boat materials. The silicone pot holders are used for far more than holding hot pots, they keep cups and flotsom from sliding in the microwave, on the counter, on the cockpit floor, etc. while we're rocking or in motion.

Pros: They are easy to clean and indestructible with no outgassing smell. At (2) for $12 they are worth it.