prv
Well-known member
Ever tried it? I don't fit inside mine, and I don't think it's a special small version. I'm not small myself, but I'm not freakishly large either.
Pete
Usless items you have bought?
- Thread starter Nostrodamus
- Start date
Ever tried it? I don't fit inside mine, and I don't think it's a special small version. I'm not small myself, but I'm not freakishly large either.
Pete
Babylon
Well-known member
Tools?
I hate over-equipping with unnecessary tools, so after I bought a Draper chain-wrench for filter removal (when I first got the boat and before I found out that a strap-wrench was in fact a better tool to use) I was pretty annoyed.
BUT it turned out to be the perfect tool to use a week ago when I had to undo a super-large plastic plumbing nut-flange holding my water tank to a bulkhead.
Same is true for other second-line tools like drifts/punches, which came into their own when replacing Blakes seacocks bolts after recent corrosion problem.
I hate over-equipping with unnecessary tools, so after I bought a Draper chain-wrench for filter removal (when I first got the boat and before I found out that a strap-wrench was in fact a better tool to use) I was pretty annoyed.
BUT it turned out to be the perfect tool to use a week ago when I had to undo a super-large plastic plumbing nut-flange holding my water tank to a bulkhead.
Same is true for other second-line tools like drifts/punches, which came into their own when replacing Blakes seacocks bolts after recent corrosion problem.
James_Calvert
Well-known member
telescopic boat hook
Flew apart under load. Replaced by another with a "superior" locking mechanism. It wasn't.
Flew apart under load. Replaced by another with a "superior" locking mechanism. It wasn't.
sailorman
Well-known member
Years ago a Hitachi portable radio with a DF loop 
the auto recording facility was good for shipping forecasts though
the auto recording facility was good for shipping forecasts though
snooks
Active member
A deck brush with a hose attachment on the end, it was a good idea because when it worked it saved water and stopped me getting soaked.
We bought it because the head came off our old wooden deck brush. That one came with the boat which, by the look of it, had been fixed with increasingly bigger screws by the previous owner. The fancy deck brush was the only one left in the Cherbourg chandlery.
The brush head screwed on, and would unscrew in use, then a month or two later the plastic screw thread broke off.
I've never found a decent deck brush that doesn't break within the first few uses, or leave bristles around the boat.
We bought it because the head came off our old wooden deck brush. That one came with the boat which, by the look of it, had been fixed with increasingly bigger screws by the previous owner. The fancy deck brush was the only one left in the Cherbourg chandlery.
The brush head screwed on, and would unscrew in use, then a month or two later the plastic screw thread broke off.
I've never found a decent deck brush that doesn't break within the first few uses, or leave bristles around the boat.
clyst
Well-known member
And then, of course, there are the bendy anchors from Rocna!
Searush
New member
Try pulling it around you from the side, we are generally thinner side on. Then you can easily drop an arm over the closed end to stop you slipping out. I think that is how they are meant to be used. Some have a line & clip for closing the open end too.
If all else fails, it is still something to hold on to & wave and the bright colour makes you more visible. You don't really have to "wear" it at all do you? If you had a ring that you could slip over your shoulders, it might be too easy to slip back out again as you sink below the waves. As others have said elsewhere, be careful what you wish for & think about using what you have mor effectively.
prv
Well-known member
Still doesn't go round my chest. (I pick the chest because that removes any question of pie consumption from the equation
) Last time this came up, a number of people said theirs didn't go round them either. Obviously for some people it will go on in the sideways form, although that number drops once you add a couple of woolly pullies and a jacket.Sure, and I still carry one. Just responding to the ill-thought-out assertion that "anyone in the water can pull it around his or her body and wear it under the arms." Only kids and very petite ladies could do that, many people can jam it on sideways, and plenty can't wear it at all.
Pete
Nostrodamus
New member
A gortex wide brimmed hat to keep the sun and rain off.
If anyone finds it floating and wants it you are welcome. Only used for 10 minutes before it became an airbourne frisbee.
If anyone finds it floating and wants it you are welcome. Only used for 10 minutes before it became an airbourne frisbee.
snowleopard
Active member
VO5
New member
Most useless gadget ?
Its got to be two electric heads. Absolute nightmare, the pair of them.
I got so exasperated with the constant malfunctioning that I took them out and replaced them with the original hand pumps.
Then I took them ashore and got hold of a hefty hammer and destroyed them before I put them into the bin.
Telescopic boathook / deck brush combination. Binned.
An inflatable 8 foot crocodile. I am not binning that. Nope.
The next time our neighbours give us any grief at the frontier or in our waters, I will tow it on a long fishing line past their beaches.
Its got to be two electric heads. Absolute nightmare, the pair of them.
I got so exasperated with the constant malfunctioning that I took them out and replaced them with the original hand pumps.
Then I took them ashore and got hold of a hefty hammer and destroyed them before I put them into the bin.
Telescopic boathook / deck brush combination. Binned.
An inflatable 8 foot crocodile. I am not binning that. Nope.
The next time our neighbours give us any grief at the frontier or in our waters, I will tow it on a long fishing line past their beaches.
Searush
New member
We had one of those, best loved toy the kids ever had. 5-12 years old, they would wrestle it to death in 2- 4' of water for hours. Best value entertainment available. Highly recomended if you have a shallow draft boat that can dry out on the beach, but don't use in deep water unless tied to the boat.
tinkicker0
New member
A RYA VHF course, A DSC VHF set, an antenna, gawd knows how many leads to get everything to talk to each other.
On an inland river.
Thought I'd monitor channel 16 to see how peeps really talk over the air.
A month later, not had a flipping peep out of the damned thing. Once had a SKURTTTTTCHH out of it but nothing else
Even pressed the replay in some hope and anticipation.......SKURTTTTTCHH!
200 squid, many curses, burnt fingers from soldering the antenna lead termination and flipping SKURTTTTTCH.
The antenna is now used as a flagpole to fly the forum burgee from.
On an inland river.
Thought I'd monitor channel 16 to see how peeps really talk over the air.
A month later, not had a flipping peep out of the damned thing. Once had a SKURTTTTTCHH out of it but nothing else
Even pressed the replay in some hope and anticipation.......SKURTTTTTCHH!
200 squid, many curses, burnt fingers from soldering the antenna lead termination and flipping SKURTTTTTCH.
The antenna is now used as a flagpole to fly the forum burgee from.
Searush
New member
Go downstream to the estuary, then you can get some value out of it by asking for a radio check.
johnalison
Well-known member
Years ago a Hitachi portable radio with a DF loop
the auto recording facility was good for shipping forecasts though
Mine cost £19.99 in the mid 70s. You twiddled the aerial round a compass rose to get the bearing, by which time the next station was transmitting and you had to wait 6 minutes for the next slot or retune to another site. You could just about use it as a pelorus.
A Peltier-effect cooler for the cool-box. You could hear the battery groaning.
Mudisox
Well-known member
A deck brush with a hose attachment on the end, it was a good idea because when it worked it saved water and stopped me getting soaked.
We bought it because the head came off our old wooden deck brush. That one came with the boat which, by the look of it, had been fixed with increasingly bigger screws by the previous owner. The fancy deck brush was the only one left in the Cherbourg chandlery.
The brush head screwed on, and would unscrew in use, then a month or two later the plastic screw thread broke off.
I've never found a decent deck brush that doesn't break within the first few uses, or leave bristles around the boat.
Go to the farmers' co op and buy a blue bristled brush they use for cleaning out the milk tanks. They come in different sizes and one fits nicely on my side decks, with no hair loss [from the brush but lots from me], for the last 4 years.
Searush
New member
Farmers' markets are great for Calf buckets too; good capacity, but not tall, very strong & durable & ideal for dipping in the sea for a million uses.
johnalison
Well-known member
A roller with a long handle which acted as a reservoir, to do the antifouling. It worked fairly well but was a bit heavy but after a year you couldn't get the special replacement rollers.
Iliade
Well-known member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Angele
A leadline. Still in the sealed bag I bought it in 6 years ago.
:
How do you calibrate your depth sounder then??
See: http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=273469
Originally Posted by Angele
A leadline. Still in the sealed bag I bought it in 6 years ago.
:
How do you calibrate your depth sounder then??
See: http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=273469
john_morris_uk
Well-known member
Years ago my brother bought me as a birthday present one of those 'sailing knives and marlin spikes in a leather pouch' things you see in chandlers.
I have NEVER managed to get a decent edge on a knife (despite, grinding wheel, diamond lapping stone, carbon stone etc etc that all sort my chisels out so you can shave with them.) The real insult is that the knife and marlin spike have gone serious rusty. Poor quality stainless steel, packaged in poor leather with a yachtie price tag and image.
I have just realised that I am going to bite the bullet and throw them out when I am next on the boat!
I have NEVER managed to get a decent edge on a knife (despite, grinding wheel, diamond lapping stone, carbon stone etc etc that all sort my chisels out so you can shave with them.) The real insult is that the knife and marlin spike have gone serious rusty. Poor quality stainless steel, packaged in poor leather with a yachtie price tag and image.
I have just realised that I am going to bite the bullet and throw them out when I am next on the boat!