Keeping Your Boat Cabin a Comfortable Temperature

Let's face it, we all like to be comfortable!

 If you have a climate controlled luxury yacht you can probably skip this post.   However, the rest of us might find some useful tips here for keeping our boat cabins a comfortable temperature.  The cabin temperature on smaller boats can be notoriously difficult to control.

It is often more difficult to maintain climate control on a boat than it is an RV.  Almost all RVs have some kind of furnace or heater for cold days and many have a roof A/C to keep it cool on hot days.  But boats, especially small boats like daysailers, have neither and, of course, open boats have none.   RVs usually have insulation and many small boat cabins have none.  Since boating is mostly a fair weather activity the lack of a heater usually isn't a problem but often keeping cool is.  Of course, heaters and A/Cs are not relevant on open boats, but controlling the climate inside any boat with a cabin can be an adventure in itself.  Climate control in open boats is pretty much an individual thing -- dress for (or stay out of) the weather.  However, you can add a bimini cover provide some shade against the summer sun for many boats and it might help keep the rain off.  If you need to keep warm, wear warmer clothes -- or head back to a warm clubhouse, tavern, cabin, or campfire on the shore.

Like any other inhabited area we would like our boat cabins to be a comfortable temperature.  Human beings are usually most comfortable when the air temperature is about 70-72F.  When it gets hotter we want a cooler environment; when it is colder we seek warmer places.  When it is hot outside we want our boat cabins to be cool.  When the weather is wet and cold we want a warm, dry place inside out of the cold, wind, and wet stuff.   Small boat cabins usually do a pretty good job of getting us out of the elements.  However, many times boat cabins are not well insulated making them more susceptible to outside temperatures.  Having the hull sit in the water often means a large part of the boat functions as a heat sink to absorb heat from inside the boat and makes it hard to keep it warm inside.  Uninsulated hulls transfer heat to the water quite efficiently.  On hot days that can be a real boon, but on colder days it means it is going to take more heat to keep the cabin warm than it would to maintain the temperature in an RV or a room of similar size.  Rubbing up or leaning against a cold fiberglass or metal hull in bed can really ruin your rest period!  Since boating is usually a mostly fair weather sport the most common temperature problem on boats is the cabins are usually too warm , so cooling a boat cabin is often more of a priority than heating.  However, an uninsulated hull can still be very uncomfortable to the touch, even on warm days. Rolling over against one on cold nights can be really chilling!

Because weight is almost always a significant factor for boats, they often lack any kind of insulation.  Many times you can add some insulation if you have direct access to the inside of the hull as you do any many small boats. Foam anti-fatigue mats are an easy way to insulate boat walls.  They are fairly light weight, easy to cut to shape, are flexible to fit curved surfaces, and can be simply secured with basic adhesives.  Dark gray or black are standard colors but you can also buy brightly colored tiles that might be more attractive.  They can be glued directly to the fiberglass or metal hull liner in many boats.  Applying them below the water line will be especially helpful in preventing heat loss through the hull to the water.  Having them above the water line will help keep unwanted heat out and desirable heat in.  Installed on the walls of the V-berth they give you a padded, insulated surface next to your bed, making it far more comfortable than pressing up against a cold (or hot!) uninsulated hull wall!  Using them on the floor also has anti-slip benefits.  Adding insulation can also reduce condensation on the inside of the hull and the foam pad is softer than the hull if you bump into it.  Make sure whatever you add doesn't significantly increase the displacement.  A few pounds won't affect most boats large enough to include any kind of enclosed cabin, but consider that even light weight insulation may add up more quickly than you expect if you are applying it to large spaces.  If the weight of your boat and normal gear and supplies is already close to its maximum safe displacement, be careful adding extra weight!  The cabins on some boats have an upholstered ceiling that helps minimize heat transfer in and out.  I have seen folks remove it for cosmetic purposes usually when it gets old and stained, but doing so ultimately allows more heat into the cabin in hot weather and more heat loss when it's cold.  If your boat lacks any kind of ceiling covering you might add some to make controlling the inside temperature a little easier.

A wind scoop can often be used with a ceiling hatch on just about any boat to capture any available breeze and direct it down into the cabin for ventilation and cooling.  There are even models that are omni-directional so they will work no matter which direction the wind is coming from.   When your boat is in motion there is usually enough apparent wind coming from the bow for a front-facing scoop to work well, but when moored or anchored you may have to adjust the scoop as the wind changes direction.  Remember to leave another hatch or window open so the incoming air has somewhere to go!  Otherwise you simply pressurize the cabin and you won't get any air movement inside.  Wind scoops work pretty well when the boat is in motion but unless you monitor them and realign them with the wind as necessary while anchored they will only work when facing the wind -- unless you have the omni-directional style which is generally more expensive and sometimes a little bulkier.

Sometimes you can keep a cabin cooler by protecting it from the sun with some kind of canopy or awning.   A simple tarp suspended over the cabin to shade the cabin and provide a shaded air buffer to keep it out of direct sunlight will help keep things cooler inside.  Simply draping a tarp over the cabin might help a little but may also conduct heat if it touches the cabin surface so having it a few inches away from the surface is better.  Using a reflective silver or white tarp will keep things cooler than using a dark blue or green tarp.  You can usually set up a "boom tent" on sailboats fairly easily using the boom when the mainsail isn't raised.  A boom tent can cool the cockpit as well as the cabin but is really only practical at anchor.  A more permanent cover called a "bimini" can be adapted to provide shade on many boats.  They are more practical on power boats because they get in the way of  the very necessary task of watching the sails on a sailboat.  Some creative owners have made biminis with clear panels so they get rain protection but can still see the sails.

Portals (windows) on boats are usually much smaller than windows on RVs and campers but they can still let in a lot of unwanted sunlight and heat on hot days.  If you find you are getting unwanted heat through windows, cover them with reflective film or even total blackout film or hang curtains over them to block the sunlight.  You might be surprised how much cooler your cabin will be on hot sunny days when you limit sunlight intrusion!  Of course, smaller openings also don't work as well to help cool things when needed.

On larger boats, you may have the option of installing an air conditioner to cool things down on hot days.  Air conditioners are generally too heavy and too bulky to be used on smaller boats plus you need a 120 volt generator or a solar system together with a large and heavy battery bank to power them.  I have seen examples of DIY boat A/C using residential window mount room air conditioners but I am not sure they will stand up to the rigors of a marine environment.  I also worry about the stress the weight and leverage of typical window air conditioners would put on cabin bulkheads that were not designed for that kind of loading and about the effects of humidity in a marine environment on the electrical components.  The weight of an air conditioner is of more concern on smaller boats where the added weight  will be more noticeable and affect displacement and handling more than it would on a  larger yacht.

Evaporative coolers sometimes used on RVs (and land-based structures) aren't going to work well on boats.   Evaporative cooler depend on rapid evaporation of water so they work best in dry climates.  They work very well on RVs used for desert camping but since boats are sitting in the water the humidity level in the air is usually pretty high and evaporative coolers only work well in low humidity.  Evaporative coolers only really work at a humidity of 50% or lower and work best below 25%.  Very unlikely to find humidity that low on a lake, river, or ocean.

Cooling fans.  Fans don't really cool, but by moving air they make you feel cooler by evaporating perspiration faster and carrying heat away from your body.  Sometimes fans can be used to remove hot air or bring in cooler air to make the interior more comfortable too.  Portable 12-volt and even self contained battery powered fans can be use in even the smallest of cabins to create a little air movement that can make a big difference in comfort.  Heck, even fanning your face with a hand fan or even a paper plate can help!  You can enhance the cooling affect of fans by spritzing your skin with water from a spray bottle.  However, any kind of evaporative cooling will be limited by the high humidity in most marine environments.  Spraying yourself with cool water when the humidity is already 90 or 100% may help cool you a little but you won't get the same evaporative cooling you would get at lower humidity.  Sprays or mist systems generally work well in desert climates but not so well near bodies of water or other places with high humidity.  Even so, the cool spray itself can feel pretty good.

Many smaller boat cabins lack any kind of heater.   Since boating is often a fair weather activity and weight is a serious factor for boats, it makes sense to leave off heavy fuel tanks and furnaces.  The human body generates about as much heat as a 100 watt bulb so just being in a small enclosed space (like the cabin on a daysailer) will usually result in the space warming up fairly quickly, especially if you have more people.  My wife and I usually find just the two us us keep the cabin of our Macgregor 25 sailboat comfortable on cool nights without any auxiliary heat.  I am sure we would need more heat if outside temperatures dropped near or below freezing.  I once had to open doors and windows of our home during winter temperatures in the teens in Utah when I had 20 or so people in my living room even with no heat on!  Cooking inside your boat will warm things up but you should never use a cooking stove just for heating and you must always provide sufficient ventilation.  Often the heat from cooking an evening meal together with body heat is sufficient if your boat isn't drafty.  If you regularly need yet more heat you should obtain an auxiliary heater that is approved for maritime applications.  If you have 120 volt power an electrical heater is an easy and usually cost effective way of warming things up.  Lacking electricity you will have to consider some kind of  marine rated fuel powered heater.  Alcohol is often recommended for marine applications because the liquid fuel does not explode and the fumes aren't heavier than air and won't accumulate in the bilge.  Propane heaters that use self-sealing disposable fuel cylinders might be an option but you will need to store extra cylinders somewhere outside the cabin.   See Safety Tips for Small Propane Bottles from Practical Sailor for more information.

Automotive heaters that run off engine coolant can assist in warming up an RV.  I even had one RV that used engine heat to pre-warm the hot water heater while driving.  However, since most boat motors use water from the outside for cooling, automotive type heaters that run off hot water from the cooling system are not practical for use on boats.  The coolant generally doesn't get hot enough to be very effective and the plumbing to support it would be overly complicated and add unwanted and unnecessary weight on a boat.

Hatches and portals should be appropriately positioned open or closed to help you maintain the desired cabin temperature.  On hot days you will want to keep things fairly open to allow ventilation to help with cooling.  On cold days you will usually want to keep things closed ("batten down the hatches") unless you are using some kind of heater or lights (lanterns) inside that could put off toxic fumes and consume oxygen, in which case it is essential to maintain adequate ventilation.  Open things link the companionway slide will allow a LOT of heat to escape, partially because of the large opening but also because of the location at the top of the cabin (remember:  heat rises!).

Since boating is usually a fair-weather activity, cooling is usually the most common problem to be solved.  Some days may start out cool, then get warmer as time passes.  Dressing in layers so you can strip down to a comfortable level as things warm up is a good practice.  You can also use spray bottle to create a mist to help cool your body.   As mentioned above, a wind scoop can often provide much needed air flow for cabin cooling.  The physical activity often required by a sailboat often helps keep sailors warm.  Sometimes engine heat from inboard motors will also provide additional comfort on power boats.  If you need more heat be sure to get a heater that is designed for indoor marine use.  Catalytic propane heaters used in cabins and campers might work, but be sure to maintain adequate ventilation and store the propane cylinders out in the cockpit or on the deck.

Stay warm and keep your cool!

End of Season Tasks for Campers, RVers, and Boaters

We are almost into September.  Soon the kids will be back in school and it soon will be time to start winterizing our summer toys.  There might be time for one last hoorah in the motorhome, out on the boat, or riding off road toys, but before long it will be time to tuck them away until next season.  All of our summer recreational equipment should be properly prepared for winter storage.  Failure to do so may result in serious damage over the winter or, at the very least, make getting it ready to use again next season more difficult.  For more information on winterizing, check out this post.

Motorhomes and campers  and boats need to have their water systems winterized before the onset of freezing weather.  That means draining all the holding tanks and either blowing all the water out of the system or filling the plumbing with RV antifreeze to keep the pipes from freezing -- if you live where you get freezing weather.  Folks who live in the sunbelt don't have to worry about freeze protection.  Check out this post  or more detailed motorhome winterization .

Anything with a gasoline engine will need to have the fuel system treated to prevent deteriorating fuel from clogging up the works.  For small engines, like motorcycles and outboard motors, you can turn off the fuel and run all the gas out of the system to reduce the problems old fuel causes in carburetors and injection systems.  Then treat the remaining fuel in the tank with a fuel stabilizer or drain the tanks.  For motorhomes and boats with inboard motors add the fuel treatment, then run the engines for 10 or 15 minutes so the treated fuel fills the system.

 How you deal with your boat depends on whether you plan to leave it in the water or haul it out for the winter.   Trailerable boats and other smaller boats are usually hauled out and either tarped or shrink-wrapped to protect the against winter weather.  Of course water systems on boats require the same winterizaton in freezing climates as campers.  For more detailed suggestions for winterizing your boat, click here.

Camping equipment should be inspected and cleaned and repaired as necessary before putting it into storage.  Fabric items such as sleeping bags, blankets, and tents, are particularly susceptible to damage from mold and mildew if they get put away damp.  You will also want to protect them against pests such as moths using moth balls or dryer cloths.  Sleeping bags should NOT be tightly rolled for long term storage as it will crush the filling and destroy the lift that provides the warmth and comfort.  Kitchen items, such as pots and pans, dishes, and utensils should be clean and dry before storage and should be packed to protect them against breakage or other impact damage.  Fuel should be drained from stoves and lanterns.  Perishable provisions should be removed and all remaining cooking stuff should be stored in tightly closed plastic tubs.  

Camping clothing should be laundered and properly stored in closets or in moisture-proof plastic bins.  Before putting it away inspect each item for any damage that needs to be repaired or might relegate the item to be recycled.  Here again items need to be protected against moths using moth balls or dryer cloths.

There is at least one other task on the end of season list.  This last one is a little more fun.  It is checking out the End of Season Sales where ever you like to shop for camping supplies.  Retailers often offer great savings on seasonal summer merchandise to make room for winter items.  Sometimes end of season sales will start as early as July or August.  Some retailers take large price cuts right away to quickly move inventory.  Others may start out with smaller discounts, say 10%, and gradually increase them over time.  We will each have our own idea of how much of a discount will motivate us to buy something and that discount will probably vary depending on the total cost of an item and how much we may want or need it.  Personally I usually take a close look at anything with a discount of 50% or more to see if I want to expand my back up resources to try something new.  Lesser discounts may be worth grabbing on items you need or want, especially if they are popular and will sell out quickly.

Of course, this isn't the end of the season for everyone!  Some people continue to enjoy their motorhomes and boats and even camping year round, although it typically requires some special preparation to accommodate more harsh weather.   Some off roaders enjoy the challenge of riding in the snow and, or course, snowmobilers are anxious for winter to come!  If you are one of those folks, instead of putting everything away until next spring you will want to make the necessary preparations to protect your resources against winter weather and make it ready for winter use.

Winter is sometimes a chance to take a break and review last year's fun activities.   Now is a good time to complete documenting your summer trips, review your want lists, and begin making plans for next year.  It is often an excellent time or make needed repairs, perform annual maintenance, or make updates or additions to your equipment.

There doesn't have to be anything off about the off season!

Doing Jumps on a Dirt Bike or an ATV -- Showing Off or Essential Skill

OK, so why would anyone want to do jumps on a dirt bike or an ATV?  Well, for one thing, it is fun!  And, of course, some people do it just to show off.  However, believe it or not, it is a useful skill you just might need unless you only ride on flat, familiar tracks or trails.   And you may encounter jumps even on familiar terrain.   If you do any desert or cross country riding you are likely to encounter sand washes and other obstacles you may have to negotiate.  We did a lot of riding in the Mojave Desert and ran across LOTS of sand washes.   Some were shallow and easy to cross, some were deep and you either had to jump all the way over them, jump down into them, or stop and find a way around.  If you come on one of these unexpectedly, you don't have time to stop and find a way around so you either have to jump over or into them!  You may also encounter other obstacles that you need to  jump over.  So I consider jumping to be an essential skill, not just a trick for show-offs.

As I contemplated what I would do if I encountered a wash and couldn't stop in time I decided it was time to at least learn how to jump down into one safely.  To do that I rode around until I found a shallow wash, about 1' deep and began jumping down into it.  No big deal.  As soon I got comfortable with that I moved along the wash to where it was a little deeper and began practicing there.  I kept moving along until eventually I could comfortably jump down into a wash 5 or 6 feet deep.  Having accomplished that I felt a lot more confident in being able to safely handle coming on a deep wash by surprise.   We took some videos of us jumping down into a wash about 6' deep and quite honestly they were disappointing.  Jumping into a wash like that looks pretty easy on film (and actually it is!).  However, it FEELS a lot more scary and exciting than it looks until you get used to it.  You don't want your first time to be a surprise when you suddenly come upon a wash and don't have time to stop or room to turn.  It takes some practice to build up the confidence to handle jump safely and successfully when required.  Unexpectedly finding yourself flying off the edge of a sand wash could result in a really bad landing if you don't know how to handle it.

You can learn to jump obstacles in a similar way by starting small.  Find or build a small bump and learn to launch off of it, then move up to larger and larger bumps as you get more comfortable.  You can practice riding whoop-de-doos, where lifting the front wheel from the top of one whoop to the next can significantly smooth out the ride.  Another little trick I learned for smoothing out the whoops is to stand up, kind of relax your arms, and let the bike pivot on the foot pegs beneath your feet as it rolls up and down the whoops, but jumping every other one lets you go faster.

Motocross and Supercross tracks have big jumps that may send bikes and riders 50' - 80' in the air and  100' or more over the ground.  That kind of jumping isn't something the average recreational rider is likely to find necessary but you may still encounter hillocks on a trail that may make you airborne for a little bit and it is a good idea to know how to handle them.  Again, the key to learning how to handle such obstacles is practice.  Start with small jumps and work your way up.  Sometimes being able to jump over some of the whoops in long section can save time and hammering on your bike -- and your body, but you need practice so you can land in the right place to launch over the next set successfully.  It takes more than a little practice to learn how much throttle you need to clear a particular size of obstacle but is well worth learning.

No matter whether you are jumping into a sand wash or over an obstacle, it is best to know what it looks like where you are going to land.  Out in the desert we often encountered mounds of dirt in the middle of an otherwise flat plain.  When you see something like think about how it got there.  Most likely it is the result of someone digging a hole.  Believe me, you don;t want to jump over a mound of dirt and find yourself landing in a big hole on the other side.   When he was a teen my eldest son found himself looking down into a deep mine shaft when jumping a pile of dirt.  Fortunately, he managed to make it far enough that his back tire barely caught the far edge of the shaft and he landed safely.  Same principle applies to jumping over sand dunes.  Very often the far side of the dune may be hollowed out and you will find yourself much higher off the ground than you expected.  The teenage daughter of an acquaintance of mine was killed jumping her ATV over just such a dune.  It wasn't a particularly large dune from where she approached it but the back side was hollowed out more than 40' deep!  Riders often expect the dunes to be symmetrical, with equal slopes on both sides but  often that is not always the case.

Another tip for jumping is to always keep the front wheel up so you land on the rear wheel first.  Landing on the front wheel first can bend the forks, twist the steering, or simply compress the suspension and cause you to "endo" (where the rear of the bike flips over the front wheel throwing you over the handlebars).  In such cases you often experience two very painful impacts:  one when you hit the ground and again when the bike hits you as it tumbles.  Landing rear wheel first makes it easier to control the landing.  Landing on the front wheel first has the risk of  the wheel turning to one side or the other and sending you out of control.  The front forks are also more likely to bend if you land wrong.  The fixed rear wheel won't turn sideways and the center of gravity brings the front of the bike down whereas if you land front wheel first the center of gravity of the moving bike wants to rotate forward and up and toss you off.   Jumping ATVs is very similar to jumping dirt bikes but you also need to keep the machine level side to side as you leave the ground and when you hit the other side.  Larger UTVs (side-by-sides) can handle limited jumps, but the added size and weight are something to always keep in mind.  I've seen dozens of UTVs with broken front wheels and suspensions from bad landings.

UTVS or side-by-sides are capable of handling some jumps, but the added size and weight makes jumping them not nearly as feasible as it is with dirt bikes and ATVs.  No doubt you have seen impressive vehicle jumps on TV shows and videos but what you may not know is that unless they were specially modified most of those vehicles had to be towed away from the landing.  Normal cars and trucks are not designed to handle the impact of landing from being jumped.  The Dukes Of Hazard busted up almost all the Dodge Chargers like the General Lee in Southern California, wrecking between 250 and 325 of them during the six year run of the series.  If I owned a UTV I certainly wouldn't go out of my way to jump it!  But I would want to know how to do so if I had to.  Many UTVs have almost as much wheel travel as dirt bikes.

Jumping a dirt bike (or an ATV) is not always for the professionals or showoffs.  Sometime it is a valuable skill you may need when you encounter obstacles when riding off road,

Jump safe!

NEW: Ads on rvsandohvs.blogpsot.com

You may have noticed that ads have begun to appear on this blog as of May 2021.  I have signed up with Google Adsense, who is totally responsible for the choice of ads that appear on these pages.  While I receive a small token payment for each ad that gets clicked on, I have no direct contact with any of the advertisers.  I do not choose the ads.  They do not influence my choice of topics nor what I might say about various products.  I have no idea what products they are going to advertise on my blog.  I wish I did!  I sincerely hope the algorithm Adsense uses delivers ads that are relevant and may actually be of some use to my readers.  Seems like it would make good sense for them to do so.

As always, any criticism or applause I offer for any products I may mention is purely my personal opinion and will not be influenced by the presence -- or absence -- of related advertising.  Ads have been placed to minimize intrusion on the articles themselves.  You may see them at the top of the right margin or at the bottom of articles.  I do receive a small (tiny) payment each time someone clicks on an ad so if you seen anything that interests you, please do click on it!  It will help me pay for additional research.   Lest you think I'm getting rich off ads it looks like I've earned just over $25 in almost a year of presenting ads -- and Adsense doesn't actually pay until it hits at least $100 so I probably won't see anything for about 4 years! Thank you to those who clicked on ads.

You will find links to some products embedded in posts.  These links are provided for information and for your convenience.  I do not receive any commission or other compensation for them.

I hope the ads do turn out to be relevant and useful.  I have found it helpful sometimes when I have found useful ads connected to articles I was reading.  I also find it annoying when I am besieged by ads that have no relation to the article and are totally useless and sometimes even offensive.  With all the artificial intelligence available to those who place ads on web pages you would think they would want to take full advantage of making the ads appropriate to the viewer.  Seems to me doing so is really a no-brainer, but sometimes "no-brain" is an apt description for some of the ads that besiege us.  An excellent example of that are tons of medication ads on TV, many of which say "Ask your doctor about xxxxx" without ever telling us what the medication is for!  How dumb is that!

Please feel free to comment on whether the ads you see are of any use to you.  It is my sincere hope that AdSense schedules ads that have at least some relevance to the overall intent of this blog and hopefully even to the individual topics to which they are attached.

Ad on!

Pre-trip Route Checking for Boaters

A previous post promoted pre-trip route checking for camping, RVing and OHVing.  Knowing the current status of roads, bridges, and venues can ensure a safe and enjoyable trip.  Pre-checking the route for boating activities is just as important but, of course, it will be somewhat different.  If you trailer your boat, you will want to check all the roads, gates, and bridges along your route to your launch point to make sure it is acceptable.  Basically for this you will want to consider the same things you would for Pre-Trip RV Route Checking.  You will also need to know if the launch ramp is suitable for the size of your boat and what you are towing it with and if it is useable condition.  Some marinas have cranes that can get your boat into the water for you but many do not.  Having Boat Trailer Guide Posts can be very helpful when it is time to pull the boat back out of the water.

Next you will want to consider the route you will be taking on the water in your boat.  It usually isn't as feasible to pre-scout the route over water like you can over land in a smaller vehicle, but if you have a very large boat it might be useful to check out the route in a smaller, more maneuverable craft before embarking on you primary journey if possible.  If you are only sailing on familiar inland lakes and rivers you may already know enough about where you are going,  but if you are headed into unfamiliar territory you will want to learn as much about it as you can.  Long ocean voyages aren't usually candidates for pre-running the route but negotiating local channels, inland lakes and rivers, and coastal waterways could still be useful if you have a vessel to do it in.  The alternative to pre-running is checking charts and maps and talking with other skippers who have already made the same voyage before.  You will need to pay special attention to things like navigable channels, the depth of water wherever you plan to go, any bridges or other over-head obstacles you may have to pass under, and any known underwater obstacles such as rocks, reefs, sandbars, coral, and wrecks.  Water currents (including tides) and wind will also need to be taken into consideration.  For ocean voyages you will need to be aware of regular trade routes.  Wind will be of more concern to sailboaters but wind can have a surprising affect on power boats that you will need to take into consideration when estimating travel times and fuel consumption.  Wind can also kick up waves that can pose a threat to your comfort and safety as well as slowing your progress.  Typical weather, major ocean current, and jet stream patterns will all have potential impact on any ocean voyage.  Local weather will be of even more concern to boaters than it is to RVers and campers, so be sure to check the forecast.

If your trip on the water will extend beyond one day you will want to plan for safe overnight anchorages along the way.  If your chosen anchorage is within a marina you will need make sure there is space available for the time you need.  Sometimes that means making advanced reservations.  If you can't make reservations you should probably plan for at least one alternate anchorage in case your first choice is full.  For long ocean voyages you will need to plan for 24-hour crew assignments or be prepared to heave to to give yourself time to sleep.

You may also need to plan for fuel stops.  Even sailboats often have auxiliary engines that require fuel.  You may need to carry extra fuel if fuel isn't available along your route.  Be sure to use only approved containers and store it safely and securely.  Outboard motors often have trouble with the E85 gasoline sold for automobiles so you may have to seek out locations the sell "clear" gas or plan to bring enough with you for your entire trip.  Speaking of outboard motors, many of them, especially older ones, may use 2-stroke engines so be sure to bring along enough oil to mix with the gas as needed,

Weather is probably an even more important factor for boaters than for campers and RVers.  A sudden rain storm can dampen your planned picnic but you can usually just wait it out in your tent or RV.  Bad weather out on the water can often deliver significant safety hazards and very often will seriously affect the progress of your voyage.  If you are in an open boat you will not be able to eaily escape any rain or other precipitation you may encounter along the way.  You wouldn't want to plan a boat trip when there are hurricanes or tornadoes forecast in the area during your planned excursion.  Rain and thunderstorms are not optimal weather for boating either.  Even without a the tall mast of a sailboat, just about any boat can pretty easily become the tallest thing on the water and therefore a likely target of lightning.  You should ensure your boat is properly equipped with lightning protection.  This usually consisted of some kind of mast that is grounded to the water so electrical charges can pass without striking occupants or equipment.  You will probably want to avoid boating trips when rain or thunderstorms are in the forecast, but you can't always avoid them or may encounter them unexpectedly, so be prepared!

The more you can learn about your route before you start your voyage, the safer you will be, the fewer the delays, less chance of accidents, and the more fun the trip will be.  That applies to both getting to the water and out on the water.  Sometimes learning about the route is a fun exercise all by itself!

Trip out!

COVID and Camping -- Summer 2021

The CDC has recently announced relaxed mask rules for people who have been vaccinated against COVID-19.  However, the new rules come with a few caveats.  First of all, your vaccine has to be "fully in effect" which typically means it has been at least two weeks since your final shot.  Vaccinated folks are allowed to go outside without masks but entering a facility without a mask requires the facility to verify the vaccination status.  Without a verification protocol in place, everyone is still required to wear a mask.  I have seen at least one business post signs accepting vaccinated customers without masks but there was no evidence of any kind of verification protocol.   I have also seen organizations say they are accepting vaccinated folks on "the honor system".  Hmmm.  Hope that works!

Because of an increase in COVID cases following the original relaxation of rules, many jurisdictions have imposed stricter indoor mask requirements and put limits on indoor gatherings.

Since most of our camping activities are outdoors, the new rules may give us greater freedom from wearing masks during camping outings.   Limits on the size of gatherings have been raised, making it easier for us to get together with our fellow outdoor enthusiasts.  However, we are still expected to respect rules for social distancing and since there isn't any very viable way to verify all the folks in our campground or even around our campfire have been vaccinated, it may still be  a good idea to continue wearing masks -- to avoid unnecessary conflict with fellow campers if nothing else.  Since masks do more to prevent a contaminated person from spreading the disease than they do to protect wearers from catching it, you might feel OK not wearing a mask but it could cause conflicts with other people it the vicinity.

Camping is, as always, a GREAT family activity.  Family groups who know each others vaccination status should be free to assemble without masks.  You might be able to expand that to extended families and even close friends who have been vaccinated.  That being said, you may want to keep your masks close at hand should you receive any visitors who may feel the need for the extra protection.  While you and other vaccinated members of your group may not be at risk, un-vaccinated visitors may be worried about their risk and may be more comfortable around people wearing masks.

What a strange situation we now live in!  A little over a year ago masks were only worn by ordinary people at Halloween or sometimes on New Years Eve  Wearing any kind of mask at other times would would have been suspected of  mischief or even possible criminal intent.  Today NOT wearing a mask is seen as criminal!  Saw a kind of strange post on Facebook about how, in California, it is legal to take a dump in public, but you can be arrested for doing it without wearing a mask!

As  a camper and outdoor recreationalist I welcome the relaxed rules and very much look forward to the day when we can return to normal association with our neighbors and fellow campers.  We are planning to de-winterize our sailboat and haul it out to the lake soon and are hoping for a sailing season that is closer to normal.  Getting out on the water is a very nice way to maintain social distancing while still having fun.  We seldom come anywhere near other vessels as close as the required 6' for social distancing so it is only on the docks or inside buildings that we may have to consider wearing masks.

Stay safe and have fun!

Ratchet Straps for RVing, Camping, and Boating

We all use ratchet straps to tie down dirt bikes and loads on trailers and stuff.  I even use them to make sure my sailboat stays snug on its trailer in transit.  Putting a twist in them helps keep them from vibrating and makes them easier to see in your rear view mirrors to make sure they are where they are supposed to be but some people say that significantly reduces their strength.  Just watched a Youtube video where a guy tested a bunch of 2" straps.  He tested with 1 twist, 4 twists, 10 twists and a wet strap (after setting a base line with a brand new flat dry strap).  He also tested a strap with a knot tied in it.  The one with the knot snapped way below the rated capacity of the strap, like somewhere around 1/3!  However, all the straps with twists held to just about the same force as the straight strap!  The differences that were seen could easily be explained by differences in the individual straps, not to the twists.  They all snapped somewhere around 9,000 lbs, about 10% below the stated breaking point!  Since I always try to use straps with a working load at least twice that of the load I expect to put on them, I am pretty comfortable with achieving 90% the rated breaking strength.  A pair of  1200# ratchet straps holding down a 300# dirt bike is surely plenty of margin!

The straps tested in the video were all 2"straps with a working load of 3,333 lbs and a rated breaking strength of 10,000 lbs.   The most load the tester was able to apply using the handle was around 1500 kg, or 3300 lbs so he was able to load the strap manually to close to its rated working load.  He used an 8 ton air-over-hydraulic jack to stress the straps to the breaking point.  Each strap broke with explosive force and the stressed areas of each strap felt warm or hot to the touch.  They all broke near where the strap wrapped around the spindle.  They all pretty much reached at least 90% of the rated breaking strength, which was 3 times the rated working load. The accelerated  and concentrated stress imposed by the air-over-hydraulic jack may have been different than the stress a normal load would supply but his test protocol seemed to be appropriate and consistent.  He tested them wet as well as dry, with and without twists, and with and without knots.  Twists and being wet did not make any significant difference.  Knots caused straps to fail at much lower loads --  only a fraction of their rated load capacity!

 

Twists help reduce vibration and eliminates the annoying hum wind passing over the straps often causes.  Twists also make the straps easier to see in your rear view mirrors so you can better monitor their condition during travel.  Instead of looking only at the thin edge, you have the twist revealing the full width to view making it easier to tell if they are coming loose.

Another trick is to tie off the loose ends so they don't flap around and cause damage to your vehicle and maybe even work loose!  You can usually just tie a simple overhand knot in the loose end around an accessible part of the secured strap and pull the loose end tight.

So, the bottom line is, it is OK to put a twist in the straps.  It reduces vibration and the twist makes them easier to see in your rear view mirrors.  DO NOT use a strap with a knot in it.  Knots DO significantly reduce strength!  If your straps get wet in the rain or at the boat ramp it shouldn't significantly affect their strength.

 

A common size for ratchet straps is 1" wide and lengths varying from 6' to 30'.   These straps are typically used for securing loads on pickups and utility trailers.  Larger straps are available for heavier loads.  I use 2 1/2" ratchet straps to secure my 25' sailboat to its trailer.  For really sturdy straps check out Matt's Straps, from Matt's OffRoad Recovery.  They are bit pricey, but that are extremely strong and durable.

 

I usually don't use ratchet straps to tie down my dirt bikes.  The cam-lock tie down straps designed for dirt bikes are usually more than adequate to keep them secure and using ratchet straps could easily over compress and damage the suspension.  Ratchet straps are really good for tying down loads on pickups and utility trailers and holding things in place inside moving vans.  And for keeping boats secure on their trailers and objects secure on deck or in the hold.  Be careful not to over tighten them or you could bend or break your cargo or damage what you are fastening it to.

 
Sometimes you can use a ratchet strap or tie down strap as an emergency towing strap for dirt bikes and ATVs.   I would not recommend using them on larger vehicles.  Even side-by-sides are significantly heavier than dirt bikes and ATVs and can easily exceed the rated strength of ratchet straps and tie downs when being towed.  If you need to tow a larger vehicle use a towing strap, snatching strap, chain, or kinetic rope designed for that purpose.  Kinetic ropes are wonderful tools for extracting stuck vehicles.

 

Whenever you use ratchet straps make sure they are rated far above the load you expect to put on them.  Straps will usually give two numbers.  One is the working load, the other the breaking load.  Never use a strap with a working load less (or even near) the load you expect to put on it.  I like to have at least a 2 to 1 factor -- a strap with a working load rated for at least twice the weight I expect to put on it.  The tie down straps (not ratchet straps) I use for my motorcycles are rated around 400# each and I use two on each bike.  The bikes weigh under 300#, giving me way more than a 2 to 1 safety factor, in fact it is closer to 3 or even 4 to 1, depending on the weight of the bike.

Make sure your attachment points are suitable.  When securing loads on trucks and trailers the straps will usually be attached to the vehicle.  Take care to place them where they will hold securely and will not damage the vehicle.  When using straps to secure OHVs or even automobiles, be sure to fasten them to sturdy places that will hold well and neither the hooks nor the straps will bind or inflict any damage.  Even the holes in the top of pickup beds are often not strong enough to use as anchors for ratchet straps.  More than once I have seen them dimpled or distorted by the hooks on ratchet straps that were cranked down too tight.

It helps to make sure you thread ratchet strap correctly too.  Here is a nice Youtube video on how to use a ratchet strap.  It is surprising how often we thread them wrong and that always makes using them difficult or impossible and may reduce their performance.  Take an extra minute to thread it right and things will go much better.  Putting the loose end through the slot in the spindle from the wrong direction will make it difficult if not impossible to properly tighten the straps and lock the handle.  Not pulling the slack out the line before using the ratchet can result it too much material being wound around the spindle, eventually making it impossible to finish tightening the strap.  Always thread the strap correctly, then pull the loose end tight before you start to tighten it using the ratchet handle.  Then tie off the loose end so it doesn't flap in the breeze.  A flapping loose end can mask your view of a strap that is coming loose and sometimes the flapping loose end can jar the handle loose, especially if it hasn't been fully locked down or flapping around it may cause damage to your vehicle.

 

I recently saw ads for self-retracting ratchet straps.   Haven't had a chance to try them out yet.  I have seen some reviews on Youtube and they come off pretty well. Having straps that hold themselves in place while you tighten them and roll themselves up when you are ready to put them away has a certain appeal.  Another advantage is the working end won't pull off the roller like ordinary straps.  However, I am not sure if the bulky roll in the middle would get in the way in some applications.   The ones I've seen look like the roller isn't much bulkier than the normal ratchet handle and spindle so they may be OK, but they might run out of turning room on short runs.  They are also, understandably, a LOT more expensive than standard ratchet straps, like 3-4 times as expensive!

Two cautions for using ratchet straps.  The ratchet handles can deliver a LOT of force to the straps.  Be sure that your attachment points are strong enough to handle the load!  Also exercise caution to avoid damaging the load itself.  Ratchet straps are definitely strong enough to bend metal and break plastic parts.  Sometimes you can minimize the impact of the straps by using padding between the straps and the load.  The pads spread the force out so it isn't concentrated in one place to wreak damage.  Pads will also help avoid damage from the straps rubbing the load if the load shifts or air movement during travel vibrates or moves the straps.  The leverage delivered by the handles of ratchet straps is very powerful.  This is definitely an advantage when securing heavy loads, but can allow you to apply too much force, sometimes enough to damage the cargo.  I use 2 1/2' ratchet straps to secure a 25' fiberglass sailboat to its trailer and noticed some little stress fractures under one of the straps after this last trip.  Guess I shouldn't have given it that last extra tweak!

 

Tie one on!

Boat Camping

Just what is boat camping?

There are basically two options for boat camping.  One is kind of like car camping, but using your boat instead of your car to reach your destination then tent camping on shore.  The other is actually staying (camping) on your boat.  In either case you will need to anchor or moor your boat securely whenever your stop for the night or even just tie up for lunch!

In some ways the cabin on many boats is much like a truck camper.  However, they are usually even more restrictive in size and amenities.  For example, the cabin on a 25' sailboat usually has far less living space than an 8'cabover camper.  Part of that is due to a smaller width (beam) and to the narrowing toward the bow.  And, of course, a good part of the overall length is dedicated to the exterior cockpit so the interior living space may only be about half the boat length, although there is usually storage under the cockpit that is at least partially accessible from the interior and sometimes there is even a bunk under one or both cockpit seats.  Another significant difference is that most truck campers include a furnace to keep things warm on cold nights.  Small boats frequently lack any kind of heating system.  Part of that has to do with limiting weight but is also likely influenced by the fact that boats are mostly used in mild weather.

Some folks like to take their boat to a desirable camping spot, anchor near the shore, and camp on or near the beach.   This gives you the best of both boating and camping since you can have a regular campfire and will be sleeping on solid ground.  Some folks never can adapt to the rocking of a boat so sleeping on board may not be an option for them.  Many times boats are capable of transporting more people than can sleep aboard.  In such cases on-shore camping is a necessity for voyages lasting more than 1 day unless you sleep in shifts (having someone on watch at all times is not exactly a bad idea anyway).  If you are going to camp on shore you need to bring your camping equipment with you on the boat, you will need room to stow it, and you will need some way to get it to shore, perhaps a raft or dingy or you may have to wade ashore with it on your shoulders unless you are lucky enough to have a dock to tie up to for unloading every where you camp.

Whether you are camping on shore or in your boat you will need to anchor your boat safely and securely each night.  Try to choose protected anchorages to minimize the impact of waves and wind on your anchored boat.  Then, if you choose to go ashore, you will need a way to get there and back.  A dingy will let you do it without getting too wet, otherwise wading or swimming will be about your only options.  An ''anchor buddy" can be helpful.  It is a long, sturdy bungie cord that allows you to bring your boat close to shore to disembark, then pulls the boat back out to the moorage after you get off at let go the boat,  Tying up your boat to a dock or designated moorage is sometimes an option.  Be aware that sleeping on your boat is inexplicably prohibited in some marinas, so be sure to check before you tie up and hit the sack.  In such cases there are usually safe areas where you can legally anchor on the lake overnight.

Some folks like to sleep on their boats.  You might have to do this if there are not viable camping spots where you can anchor your boat or you might want to do it just for the fun of it.  If you have any problems with the boat moving while you're trying to sleep this probably isn't a good choice for you.  Sometimes folks might still take advantage of a campfire on the beach and sleep on board their boats instead of setting up a tent.  All depends on what "floats your boat" as they say.  And how many people are in your group and how many people can comfortably sleep on your boat.  You may also need to consider how you will get back and forth between the boat and the camp site.  Wading ashore on a warm afternoon might be just fine, but having to wade back in the cold after dark might not cut it, especially if your boat isn't heated so you can dry out and warm up!  One alternative if you have more in your group than your boat can sleep is to sleep in shifts.  That also lets you have someone awake to keep watch, which isn't a bad idea anyway.

If  you are staying on your boat most of the time you will need to take cooking and sanitation needs into consideration.  Boats with built in sanitation or porta-pottys usually take care of basic needs.  A boat-safe alcohol stove or even a small butane stove may let you cook on board your boat.   Gasoline or propane camp stoves are not recommended for use on boats.  The fumes from the fuel are heavier than air and will collect in the bilge, posing an explosion hazard.  Basic personal hygiene may require a plastic wash basin if your boat doesn't have a sink. although you may be able to occasionally rinse your hands by simply reaching over the side.  Where swimming is permitted that is often a good way to freshen up.  Avoid contaminating the water with biological or chemical products.  Many times the inland waterways we boat on are also sources of drinking water.  I have even seen some reservoirs that prohibit ANY human contact with the water!

Sleeping on board may be an attractive option if you just need some overnight rest along the way to a scheduled destination.  Just drop anchor in a sheltered cove and turn in for the night or an afternoon nap.  Solo sailors on long ocean voyages will sometimes set an autopilot while that catch a few z's. Sometimes you can schedule nap time for various members of your party while you continue your voyage.  It is always a good idea to have someone "on watch" at all times.  You never know when weather, debris, or some errant boater may present a hazard.

If you plan to do any on-shore camping you will need to find room to transport all the camping equipment you need and have a way to get it all to shore when you get there.  In some rare instances there might be a dock or pier where you can tie up.  If not, you will need a raft or dingy or be prepared to wade to get your gear ashore.  I have seen folks use an ''anchor buddy'' that lets them drive the boat right up to where they can step off onto the shore then pulls the boat back out into the water until they need it again.  The anchor buddy is essentially a large bungie cord that stretches to let you reach the shore, then pulls your boat back toward the mooring.   A line tied to the shore can be used to pull the boat back to the shore when you are ready to re-board.   You can purchase an anchor buddy from your favorite marine supplier or you can even find them on amazon.com.  Be aware that, like many commercially available products, they come in varying qualities and costs.  The more inexpensive models may use surgical tubing as the elastic inside the fabric sleeve.  More expensive (and stronger and more durable) versions have solid rubber elastic that holds better and lasts longer.

If you plan to have a campfire you will probably need to bring all your firewood with you,  unless you know for sure firewood will be available at your on-shore camp site.  Never assume you can just gather firewood.  In many cases it there isn't any to be gathered and in a lot of places gathering firewood is illegal.  Some folks like to use driftwood for firewood.  Even where that is permitted (often it is not), many times it is still wet or damp inside, making it difficult to burn and giving off a lot of annoying or irritating visible smoke or vapor if you can get it to burn at all.  Trying to make a campfire out of wet wood is not my idea of a fun evening.  But, sometimes you can get driftwood to burn.  Just ask Les Stroud (Surviorman) who in one episode managed to set his driftwood shelter on fire!

All aboard!

Installing New Hardware on a Boat

There are many times you may want to add hardware to your boat.  You may need additional cleats for dock lines or spring lines.  On sailboats you may want extra fair leads or cam cleats for convenience in controlling various lines.  You may want to add teak handrails, tie down points, or other accessories.   In each case you will probably be drilling through the deck or cabin wall in order to install the items.  

Sometimes you may have to replace existing hardware.  Damaged components can usually be removed and replaced without much special effort.  However, if the mounting holes or surface has been damaged, you will need to repair the underlying structure before mounting new hardware.  In many cases you will probably want to add or install larger backing plates to prevent future problems.

The primary key to successfully installing or replacing hardware on your boat is careful planning.  You will need to do research to find the right hardware at the right price, inspect where you want to install things to make sure it will be safe to do so, and make sure your installation is secure and properly waterproofed.

Your first step is to decide what you want to install.  You may want to add a mid-ship cleat for spring lines or and extra fair lead and cam cleat for routing control lines on a sailboat.  Or you may just have some neat new accessory you need to mount on the cabin wall.  Make sure it is really something you want and will use.  You don't want to drill unnecessary holes in your boat!

The next step is to determine where the new hardware will go.  Will it be mounted inside or outside the cabin?   Make sure there is room to install it.  Take care mounting things inside the cabin so any mounting bolts don't create safety hazards or cosmetic offense outside.   Then look behind or underneath to make sure there isn't anything that will be in the way of the screws or bolts that secure it to the deck.  Be especially sure it won't impact any wiring, tubing, or plumbing lines.  You will need to determine how long the bolts need to be.  Some light weight accessories might be anchored with screws if the deck material will support it.  Screws might work on wooden boats or fiberglass boats with sturdy wooden cores between the layers of fiberglass and metal screws might even work on metal structures.   Lightweight items can sometimes be secured with metal screws on fiberglass if the fiberglass is thick enough and strong enough,  When in doubt, using backing plates to make sure your fasteners won't pull through.  Unless the area of installation has built-in backing plates, you will need enough room to install them beneath the new hardware.  Backing plates should be a bit larger (1/2"to 1"in each direction) than the base of the item being installed.  When installing items inside the cabin be extra careful if they are going on an outside wall where bolts might protrude outside the hull, possibly creating a safety hazard.  Don't attempt to install items below the waterline unless the boat is out of the water.

Can it be installed without drilling?  Some accessories can be mounted using heavy duty double-sticky tape or adhesive.  Probably a good idea whenever you can do this so you don't have to drill any new holes in your boat.  Every hole you drill is a potential source of a leak but some things, like cleats or other hardware that takes heavy loads, will need to be securely bolted on. 

Backing plates are usually needed when mounting hardware to boats.   Some boats have backing plates built in where cleats and other accessories are likely to be mounted.  Unless you KNOW you have built-in backing plates you should plan on adding them.  Having extra backing plates will only make things more secure.  The only downside might be appearance or perhaps an extra obstacle to deal with inside the cabin.  The only time you don't need backing plates are when you are mounting light weight accessories that will never have an significant load place on them.  Since just about anything you can grab onto could stressed if someone needs extra support, even little things like cup holders and winch handle pockets should be securely anchored.

If you are attaching hardware to a single layer of fiberglass, such as a cabin wall, you will for sure need a backing plate to spread the load.  The use of backing plates is generally a good idea in all cases.  Large washers might be sufficient for lightly loaded items but full backing plates are required for things like cleats that handle large loads.  Check to make sure there is room to install a backing plate before you start drilling holes to install new items.  If there is not enough room for an adequate backing plate you will need to rethink the whole installation!  I had to forgo installing an bow anchor roller on my sailboat because there was no place for a proper backing plate.  Even if I removed and re-bedded all the existing hardware, there still wasn't enough room under the deck for an adequate backing plate.

You never want to drill extra holes in your boat if you can avoid it!   Consider using adhesives where possible.  Accessories that may need to be removed from time to time might be mounted with heavy duty Velcro.   Be certain of where you want each installation to be and "measure twice, cut (drill) once".  If you do happen to drill extra holes, be sure to fill them right away with epoxy or a good marine grade sealer.  I have seen a recommendation that you drill a shallow countersink to prevent cracking of fiberglass.  It also provides a depression for extra sealant to protect against leaks.  Use an over-sized bit (about twice the diameter of the hole) and run the drill in reverse to make the countersink so you don't accidentally drill through!  That works pretty well on wood and fiberglass, but you may need a little extra force when drilling metal hulls but don't push hard enough to push the bit through the metal and make the hole too big!  Some metal hulls are surprisingly thin!

Backing plates could be made of wood, metal, or fiberglass.   Plastic isn't recommended as it can compress under stress.  What we think of as solid plastic is actually a very thick, viscous liquid!  By the way, so is glass!   Over time, window glass will eventually be thicker at the bottom than it is at the top!  Whatever you use for backing plats should be able to stand up to the rigors of a marine environment.  Aluminum and stainless steel are good choices.  Ordinary steel is not as it will rust possibly compromising its strength as well as making an unsightly mess. Marine grade plywood also works pretty well.   Backing plates should be larger than the base of the hardware being installed and should extend about an inch outside the bolt holes in all directions and be thick enough or sturdy enough so they are not distorted by tightening the bolts.    Another guideline for backing plate size is to make them slightly larger than the footprint of the object you are installing on the other side.  Use fender washers for added safety and load distribution on the backing plate.  I also like to use nylon lock nuts to make sure the nuts won't come loose due to vibration or flexing.  Lock washers or Loctite might also be used to keep nuts from coming loose.  Or double-nut the bolts,  Avoid using Loctite on anything you might want to remove from time to time.  Always use backing plates unless you are certain there will never be a heavy load placed on the hardware.  However, since you never know when someone will abuse an accessory so better to be safe than sorry.  Without proper backing, the fasteners holding hardware on will pull through the deck when a heavy load is applied causing serious damage as well as failing to perform their intended function.  NEVER install life support hardware without a backing plate.  You may need to consider the aesthetics if a backing plate will be visible from inside the cabin.  In that case you will usually want to paint or varnish backing plates to ensure they are moisture resistant and, if they are visible, you will want to make sure they look good

You will need to determine how long the bolts or screws need to be.  If you are using screws they need to be short enough so that they don't come out the back side of the installation.  If you are using bolts they have be long enough to reach through the accessory, the deck, the backing plate, plus washers and nuts.  You can get plastic thread protectors to cover the exposed ends of the bolts to make them less apt to cause damage or injury if something brushes against them so you might want to include the length of the thread protectors.  One way to determine the length is to drill one of the holes for the installation and push some small item like a cable tie through it so you can mark the length you need.  Then get bolts that are at least as long as you measured.  Longer bolts can usually be cut off but shorter bolts won't work at all!  Longer bolts might intrude into the interior space and that is particularly dangerous for things mounted to the cabin roof where you might hit your head.  Trim protruding bolts as short as practical.  Plastic thread protectors over the end of any protruding bolts will help cushion the impact and lessen abrasions.  If you plan to use thread protectors use or cut the bolts long enough to install them, usually about 1/4" past the nut.

For any marine installation you will want to use corrosion resistant fasteners, such as stainless steel.  Brass was used on boats for many years and still works well, but it does tarnish and you should avoid using dissimilar metals as different metals often react with each other to promote corrosion.  Using stainless steel fasteners with stainless steel hardware and a stainless steel backing plate would be a good pattern to shoot for.

Anything installed on the exterior will need to be "bedded".  That means placing a material between the hardware and the mounting surface to seal the joint so no water gets in.  Even a tiny leak into a bolt hole can eventually allow enough water to soak into the wooden core between layers of fiberglass on fiberglass boats to cause dry rot.  You never want leaks around any kind of hardware.  Butyl tape, sometimes called dum-dum tape, is one of the most common ways to bed hardware but sometimes rubber or vinyl gaskets might also be used.  Sometimes you may want to add some additional sealer (like silicone) along the line where the hardware meets the mounting surface.  Holes drilled through the wooden core on fiberglass boats should be sealed so that if any moisture gets into the hole it can't get into the wooden core.  Leaks into the wooden core quickly lead to rot and serious failure.

I have seen two good ways to seal the bolt holes for deck installation.  The easiest way is to use butlyl tape.  Drill a shallow countersink into the top of the hole in the deck.  The butyl tape will squeeze into the dip.   Wrap a little bit of butyl tape around the bolt (enough to more than fill the countersink hole).  When you install the bolt, hold the head steady and turn the nut so the threads on the bolt don't strip the butyl where it contacts the bolt.  A little butyl tape might squeeze out between the item and the deck.  Anything the protrudes beyond the item isn't necessary, but its presence is a good indicator that it the fastener is tight and the butyl tape is doing its job.  Simply cut or scrape away any extra for a clean look.   For fiberglass decks with wooden cores there is a second, more complicated technique, that ensures the wooden core is protected from moisture even if some leaks in around the bolt.  Drill the hole about twice the size you need for the bolt, then fill the hole with epoxy and let it set up.  Then drill the right size hole for the bolt through the center of the epoxy.  That way the epoxy completely seals the wooden core against water getting in and causing dry rot and the epoxy "sleeve" provides a solid point of little compression where the bolt will be tightened.  For a little extra protection for wooden cores when using the simple butyl tape method, spray a little paint into the hole before installation so it can coat the exposed core and help seal out moisture if you don't have any epoxy to coat the inside of the hole.  If you do use have epoxy, tape over the bottom of the hole, fill it with epoxy, then poke a hole in the tape to let the excess epoxy drip out, leaving a coating on the inside of the hole.  Be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions regarding the use of an activator to be sure the epoxy will cure properly.

Fasteners should be appropriately tightened.  If possible determine proper tightening specifications and use a torque wrench to ensure it is correct.  Lacking any technical specs, hand tightening most bolts and screws is usually adequate.  To some extent the length of hand held wrenches allows you to apply the proper torque for the fasteners they fit.  Don't over tighten fasteners as doing so will damage the hardware, the fasteners, or what they are attached to.  Bolts are usually tight enough if when using lock washers, the lock washers are completely compressed.  Torque specs are based on clean (usually new) fasteners.  You may experience extra drag on old, rusted or corroded parts.  It is always preferable to use new fasteners to ensure proper installation,  If you must reuse old fasteners, clean them before reusing them.  A little light lubrication might be appropriate and old fasteners but don't over do it.  Speaking of lubrication, coating the threads on screws being driven into wood can make driving them easier and reduce the chance of stripping the head or twisting off the screw as they get tight.

You will often need a second pair of hands to hold the nut on the underneath or backside of the hardware you are installing.  When installing hardware on the deck you will need someone inside.  If you have to work alone, you might be able to get the nuts started, then secure them with Visegrips so you can tighten the heads.  Many times the handles of the Visegrips will reach far enough to push against a bulkhead or some other obstruction or you might be able to tie them off to keep them in place.  I usually tie a string to the handle in case they come off and fall down into the hull where it might be hard to reach them.

Once everything has been tightened down your new accessory should be ready to use!  Enjoy using it.  Make sure it is tightened appropriately but take care not to over tighten any fasteners.  Come back and check the tightness after the item has been in use for a while to make sure it is still secure.  New hardware often "settles in" a little bit and can benefit from being re-tightened after a little use.

When installing lights or other electrical equipment you will need to take the wiring requirements into consideration.  Since most boats are made of wood or fiberglass you will need to run a ground wire to each fixture in addition to the hot wire.  Metal boats may need ground wires also as metal components might not always have a direct connection to the ground side of the battery.  When you need two wires, use a cable with two conductors instead of running two individual wires.  It will look better and will provide better protection against wear and chafing.  Wires should be run as short a distance as possible and be routed where they will not chafe or present an unsightly nuisance inside the cabin.  Look for places they can be hidden behind cabinets, under shelves, or behind valances, then secure them with nylon clamps or cable ties to keep them from moving around.  Always use marine grade wire and create waterproof connections.  See my post on Boat Wiring for additional details.  Some inexpensive LED light modules create radio frequency (RF) interference so be careful installing them near antennas or electronic equipment.  To avoid RF problems, use the more expensive and higher quality components that are RF rated.

Sometimes you may have to repair existing installations.   Even properly installed hardware can sometimes work its way loose or suffer damage that requires fixing.  You may have to repair bolt holes that have been damaged by excessive loads.  Enlarged holes will need to be carefully filled and sealed.  You may need to put some kind of temporary backing plate on the inside so you can fill the holes with fiberglass resin.  If possible, relocate the item to an area that has not been compromised or repair the damaged area adequately before proceeding.   If that isn't feasible, be sure to use a larger than normal baking plate to spread the load and compensate for any reduced strength in the repaired area.

Plan on inspecting each new installation often in the first few days of use.   You want to make sure things are secure.  It is normal for things to loosen up a little as vibration and use may cause things to "settle in".  If there is any exterior penetration also look for any leaks so you can rebed or re-seal the installation before there is serious collateral damage.

Inspect all the hardware on your boat (both what you have added and what came on it) on a regular basis to make sure it is secure and doesn't leak.  Loose cleats will allow the bolts to elongate and enlarge the bolt holes until there is significant damage and the cleat doesn't even hold anymore.  If there are any signs of leakage, remove and re-bed the hardware before the leak causes a lot of collateral damage.  Even a small leak on a fiberglass boat may allow enough moisture to get into the wood core between the layers of fiberglass to cause it to rot and fail if not corrected in time.

Accessorize!

Boat Stoves

The limitations and safety requirements for using a stove on a boat are different and more critical than using a stove in an RV.  Using gasoline or propane stoves on boats is discouraged as fumes from both are heavier than air and can accumulate in the bilge.  Boats are also subject to more movement than RVs when you are cooking.  Even if you are at anchor or tied up to the dock wind, waves, or wakes from other boats or even people moving about on ;your boat can cause your boat to rock, while RVs are generally pretty stable when you are cooking, especially when properly leveled and stabilized in camp.  Even unstablized, RVs are far more steady than boats.  It is a good idea to always use pot stabilizers or restraints to make sure you pot doesn't slide off.  You might try holding onto the handles but a sudden movement could end up with you dumping a hot mess onto your body!  Boat stoves often use gimbals to keep the stove level when the boat rocks.  However, there are limits to how much rocking they can accommodate so you still need to use restraints and keep an eye and if possible, a grip, on your pots and pans.

Many people do just use a simple butane or propane camping stove in their boats.  If you only do your cooking at anchor in calm waters like many weekend sailors do that is probably OK, as long as you allow for sufficient ventilation and don't store fuel cylinders inside.  For our small (25' sailboat) we use a single burner butane camping stove.  It doesn't weigh much or take up a lot of room and is adequate for preparing simple meals for the 2 of us.  The butane cylinders are sealed  when detached so leaking is unlikely.  Permanent propane installations, like in an RV, may develop leaks where ever there is a connection if the propane is left on while the vehicle or vessel is in motion.  Portable fuel cylinders don't have any valves that can be left open and, unless they are damaged, should always self seal when they are removed from the stove.  You still  have to make darn sure you turn the burners off completely or better yet, remove the cylinder after each use to avoid fuel from leaking into the cabin.  Since all the open spaces in a boat cabin are usually towards the top it is way to easy for propane or butane to accumulate in the bilge and risk an explosion!

Alcohol stoves are usually recommended for boat stoves because they produce less dangerous fumes and the fuel is pretty stable and safe and easy to store and transfer.  Marine fuel is a combination of Ethyl an Methyl alcohol but you can use Isopropyl alcohol which burns a little hotter, but it may give off more soot.  Denatured alcohol is also an option.  Liquid alcohol is not explosive and alcohol fires can be put out with water.  Marine stove fuel produces a lot of water vapor, sometimes with a mildly offensive odor.  The vapor can contribute to condensation inside the cabin so be sure to open things up to vent it whenever possible.  Some tests Ive seen showed alcohol stoves boiled water about 3 minutes faster than their propane stove so working faster can be an advantage out on the water.   Don't even bother to try burning any drinking alcohol in your stove.  Most are too weak to burn and may produce fumes that can cause brain damage!  Hmmm.  Maybe drinking them or inhaling their vapor causes brain damage too!  Certainly the behavior of some people under the influence would support that idea!

If you ever need to cook while underway you will need a gimbal stove.  These have the burners and sometimes the entire stove mounted on pivots so it can stay more or less level when the boat tips.   They are usually used with pot restraints to help keep pots stable   Of course violent movement will still cause pots and pans on the stove to move around, spill or bounce off, but the gimbal does take care of modest movement associated with "normal" sailing, often allowing  you to prepare meals on the go, which may be useful on long cruises.  A gimbal stove is also useful if you moor where you are subjected to strong waves from currents or passing boats.  A gimbal won't protect you 100% against movement.  The gimbals can't react quickly enough for fast and very violent maneuvers and if things tip far enough you will exceed the flexibility of the gimbal and the stove will tip anyway.

Pot restraints are a good idea anytime you are using a stove in a boat.   Even if you are at anchor or tied up at the dock wind, waves, and passing boats can rock your boat, possibly spilling hot food on you and all over the cabin.  Sometimes even someone moving about on deck and make things tip enough to create a problem.  Most stoves designed for boats will come with pot restraints.  You may have to engineer your own if you are using a camping stove.  You might be able to form them out of  metal rods like welding rods.  Wire coat hangers would probably not be strong enough.  You will want them to be easy to install, hold your pots and pans fairly securely, yet make it easy to remove the pots and pans when you are done cooking.  If possible, it would be handy if they can be easily adjusted to fit different sized pots and pans.  If you don't have any pot restraints try to hold onto the handle of pots and pans on the stove in case you get hit with an unexpected wave while you are cooking.  Wearing a sturdy apron is one way to protect your body from injury from spilled hot material.

If you opt to use a propane or butane camp stove, store the fuel cylinders in a bag outside of the cabin, perhaps tied to the lifeline.  Propane and butane are heavier than air and any leak will let the fumes accumulate in the bilge where any spark will set off a violent explosion.  Liquid alcohol fuel can probably be safely stored inside the cabin as liquid alcohol is not explosive.  Alcohol vapor is lighter than air and will escape through any openings near the top of the cabin.  The small butane and direct connect propane cylinders are self-sealing so there is little chance they will leak when disconnected from the stove.  To be safe, always make sure your stove is turned completely off and, for maximum safety, remove the fuel cylinders when it is not in use.  Permanently installed propane stoves are not recommended for use in boats as any leak in the system could lead to catastrophic explosions!

Cooking stoves will, of course, heat up the interior so you may want to limit use on hot days, especially in smaller cabins or open as many ports and hatches as you can.   On colder days that may work to your advantage to heat the interior but never try to use your cooking stove as a primary heat source in your boat.  Always ensure you have adequate ventilation.  Even if your stove does not put out dangerous fumes it will consume oxygen and you could suffocate.  If you need extra heat, look into getting an appropriate heater rated for in-cabin use but still make sure you have enough ventilation!  The human body puts out about as much heat as a 100 watt incandescent light bulb and one or two bodies in the confines of small boat cabin will usually warm things up quite nicely in a surprisingly short amount of time.  

Electric stoves or cook tops eliminate the problems associated with fuel vapors and toxic fumes.  However, many boats and most smaller boats lack a generator or large battery bank and an inverter to power an electric stove.  And any cooking on a boat is subject to the problems of movement.

Chow down!