Using non “Marine” items on the boat

[Dutch01527]

We all know that “Marine” items normally attract a massive uplift in price because all us yachty types are mega rich in the eyes of the manufactures and chandlers. I have used a number of items that are not specifically marine but do the job as well or better and are massively cheaper e.g:

- New helicopter rescue / lifting strop as a mob recovery aid. £50 of eBay. Superb quality, floating and very strong
- Used 10m roll up caving / climbing ladder as mast ladder. £50 of eBay. Stainless steel and again superb quality
- New aluminium folding motor bike loading ramp as passerelle . £65 online. 450kg working load, light and well engineered
- New parachute cargo secure snap shackles to quick change anchors to suit situation. £10 each at local market. Breaking strain 4500kg and 100% secure. Used to parachute land rovers by the military using one at each corner
- New XXL Rescue 8 climbing descender as a boom brake. £25 online. 50kn strength. Works superbly if tensioned correctly on winch

I like climbing, military and aircraft kit because of the safety/quality.

Anyone have any other suggestions?

 

[PetiteFleur]

Not quite in the same league as mentioned but Caravan & Camping shops are often a cheaper than the equivalent in chandleries.

 

[Sybarite]

Garden spray as an on-deck shower.

 

[capnsensible]

Welding goggles in case some naked bloke on the boat next door is spraying himself with weed killer.

 

[Beelzebub]

Cut welly boot instead of mast-manufacturer gaiter at deck level.

 

[Robin]

Garden spray as an on-deck shower.

wrap a black bin liner round it and it heats up in the sun too…..

 

[RupertW]

Garden lights as automatic self powered anchor lights but these only work for pragmatic sailors not the se lawyer types

 

[BelleSerene]

Garden spray as an on-deck shower.

Muslim bidet shower head as an on-deck shower. I’m not joking.

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.co.uk/ulk/itm/273189304886

 

[Brent Swain]

A friend with a charter boat said his fragile "Yottie "electrical switches are non stop trouble ,but his 12 volt house ones are far more solidly built ,and last forever. I have an online lamp switch that is 34 years old, and doing fine. "Marine" can be a suckers game.

 

[Halcyon Yachts]

Anyone have any other suggestions?

I use motorcycle gloves for sailing in the winter. They are much cheaper than the marine equivalent and are warmer, totally waterproof and more durable...

Pete

 

[Sybarite]

Welding goggles in case some naked bloke on the boat next door is spraying himself with weed killer.

 

[colind3782]

Muslim bidet shower head as an on-deck shower. I’m not joking.

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.co.uk/ulk/itm/273189304886

That's what I've been using and cheap enough to replace as required.

 

[Bandit]

I like the name it’s for washing the “shat af” a very descriptive name.

 

[nortada]

Garden lights as automatic self powered anchor lights but these only work for pragmatic sailors not the se lawyer types

Until now this was such a friendly, informative thread.

 

[One A.]

Lorry strops, for lines ashore to go round rocks trees, stops chaff on expensive floating line.

 

[armchairsailor]

Dow Corning 795 sealant/ building glue for doing all the jobs sikaflex would. For about 40% of the cost. This stuff sticks windows onto skyscrapers without additional fixings, is weatherproof, UV proof etc.

 

[Cheery]

Welding goggles in case some naked bloke on the boat next door is spraying himself with weed killer.

I've just chuckled to myself reading that. One because it was funny and two it reminded me of when we were in the BVI. Our son was working as a chef on Cooper Island and we went from there to Port Purcell on Tortola on the supply boat. As we approached the dock we noticed a local, showering completely starkers, on the back of some industrial looking boat. Our son's M-i-L was aghast and someone asked if it was her first black sausage she'd seen.

 

[Sybarite]

I've just chuckled to myself reading that. One because it was funny and two it reminded me of when we were in the BVI. Our son was working as a chef on Cooper Island and we went from there to Port Purcell on Tortola on the supply boat. As we approached the dock we noticed a local, showering completely starkers, on the back of some industrial looking boat. Our son's M-i-L was aghast and someone asked if it was her first black sausage she'd seen.

In my early days sailing in the Med a tour boat passed some of us and some old dears waved their hankies at us.

On the boat next to us the guys waved back - using their swimming costumes.

 

[armchairsailor]

A friend of mine once told me of an incident where he went skinny dipping off Saint Tropez, where he got chased by a boatload of nuns!

 

[Cheery]

They were probably thinking 'If it's good enough for the priests...'