I’m going to echo Bob at BoatBits in his recommendation: This article is a must-read.

I’ve only accumulated about 4500 bluewater miles myself, so compared to lots of offshore sailors, I’ve barely dipped my toe in the water. Of the three boats upon which I’ve sailed offshore, only one had cluttered decks. Sure enough, we lost some of that gear. Don’t know when, don’t know where, but it didn’t make it to our next port of call.

Heck, even in the sheltered water I cruise in, I insist on clear decks and clear cockpit. I can’t safely manage lockings and dockings with a bunch of crap in the way! And aesthetically, it looks unseamanlike; Jack Aubrey would not approve.

Anyway, here’s the original post by John at Attainable Adventure Cruising:

I’m a big time fan of the Aubrey/Maturin series about the days of sailing warships. As often mentioned in these books, the best captains, the ones that brought their ships home in one piece and vanquished their foes at sea, were holy terrors for clear decks. Times have changed but the sea has not and stuff on deck still has the potential to cause trouble offshore, even if you won’t be faced with a fleet action.

Over the more than 40 years that I have been going offshore in sailboats I have noticed a disturbing trend toward ever more clutter on deck: Huge RIB dinghies in davits, rafts of poorly secured solar cells, portable generators, windsurfers, bicycles, television dishes; there seems to be no end to the stuff that festoons cruising boats today.

Read more, and don’t miss the slide show at the end of the post. Sort of a “Rogue’s Gallery” of cluttered decks.

I should probably write up the new boarding steps I built for my C-Dory. In my case, these steps allow one to “walk” from the dock down into the cockpit, a few inches below the surface of the water. Still, it’s the same idea: Find a way to make it easier for people to get on and off the boat!

Let’s see what Capt’n Pauley has to say on the topic:

It’s an unpleasant fact, as you get older it gets a little harder to get on and off the boat. I’ve tried several commercially available boarding steps but wasn’t very happy with any of them. However, when my friends Vince and Dianne Purcell on board Finn MacCool stopped by for a visit, I found just what I was looking for.

Vince and Dianne were headed for Florida when they stopped by to see us on the C&D Canal. I was impressed with Vince’s boarding step and asked if I could do an article. Therefore, with Vince’s blessing, here it is.

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[Information provided by the manufacturer. —Tim]

With all the hardware needed on a vessel, the deck can fill up quickly. Accon Marine‘s new Surface-Mount Chocks help keep the area clutter free. Ultra-convenient, the chocks pull up for use and can be pressed down and out of the way when no longer needed.

Constructed of 316 marine-grade stainless steel, these chocks are built to last. Their sleek design also adds style to any craft.

The Surface-Mount Chocks are available in 4.5" and 6" versions. Simple to install, no cut-out is needed. Mounting to the surface only requires owners to drill three holes for each chock and secure in place with screws.

A set of Accon Marine’s 4.5" Surface-Mount Chocks retails for $120.10, while the 6" set costs $181.93.

The Accon name has been associated with superior quality precision metalwork for more than 30 years. It produces a full line of flush-mounted hardware, including navigation lights and cleats.

Here’s a nice bit of gear for all you technology-lovin’ sailors.

Longtime Navagear readers will be aware that I like to wave the flag a bit for the many maritime product manufacturers located in the greater Puget Sound/Salish Sea/Pacific Northwest region. This is one of them.

I spoke with Paul Comyns, Marketing Director for PYI Inc., which is headquartered right up the road from me in Lynnwood, Washington. He told me that the entire Seaview line, including the Sail Pods, are assembled right here in Washington state.

PYI also maintains an office in France, so the firm also distributes several lines of European products here in North America. All in all, there’s a lot going on in little old Lynnwood!

On with the press release…

Lynnwood, Wash. – Seaview, a leader in the design and manufacture of mounting solutions for marine electronics, announced today its new range of rail mounting solutions to complete its extensive pod line, Seaview Sail Pods by PYI. Designed to house and protect sailboat steering instrumentation while ensuring convenient viewing, the versatile new Sail Pods are available in four sizes to fit popular marine instrument displays, with faceplates that can be custom pre-cut to order. Developed to fit the majority of steering pedestals from Jefa, Whitlock and Edson, Seaview Sail Pods offer a clean, secure and professional design that seamlessly complements any sailing vessel.

Providing sailors with functional and efficient mounting for navigational instruments, Seaview Sail Pods are constructed using only high-quality marine-grade materials to maintain watertight integrity and shelter valuable electronics. Enclosed wire-runs protect cables and sockets from moisture and snagging, and all Seaview pods feature design elements to eliminate moisture build up. The pods also offer a unique, versatile rear-mount template that adapts to different installation requirements for both standard (12-inch and 9.5-inch) and non-standard guardrails.

“The Seaview Sail Pods provide convenient, secure instrument mounting that is perfect for the grab rails of a steering pedestal or any rail installation best suited for individual sailor’s needs,” said Paul Comyns, director of sales and marketing, PYI Inc. “The pods are a valuable addition to our versatile product line and highlight our continued commitment to bringing innovative new solutions to the boating community.”

Seaview Sail Pods are constructed with UV resistant ABS plastic housing with stainless steal rail mounts. Sail Pod rail mount models include the large POD-1S (16.5-inch x 13-inch) pod, medium POD-2S (14.5-inch x 11.4-inch), POD-3S that fits three standard size instruments (14.5-inch x 5.5-inch) and the POD-4S for housing four standard size instruments (19.5-inch x 5.5-inch). The pods are available pre-cut or un-cut, and can be customized for specific applications. All Sail Pods include stainless steel brackets suitable for 3/4-inch, 1-inch and 1-1/4-inch rails, and are protected by a 3-year warranty.

Pricing and Availability:
Available now, Seaview Sail Pods can be purchased from authorized Seaview dealers and distributors throughout the world. The Seaview POD-1S large and POD-2S medium rail mounting pods have a suggested retail price of US $610.00 and $580.00, respectively. The POD-3S three-instrument pod and POD-4S four-instrument pod, are available for US $380.00 and $395.00, respectively. Custom, pre-cut Sail Pods can be ordered for an additional cutting fee that starts at $20.00. For more information on Seaview Sail Pods and Seaview’s full mounting solution range, please visit www.seaviewglobal.com. To learn more about PYI and its marine brands, visit www.pyiinc.com.

Ben Ellison has this item at Panbo:

Today I added a new Panbo category for gear I try which is not electronics related, but which is good enough that you might want to know about it.  Like the Moonlite Marine rail cleat above.  I’d never seen one in the aluminum and stainless flesh before taking a $20 chance online, but now I think they’re well-designed and built, and darn effective…

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Hey, this isn’t a bad idea! I’d be willing to give these a try. On with the press release…

Keeping diesel, gasoline and oil from damaging a vessel’s surfaces and polluting waterways is now incredibly simple. The new, patented Chadd Padd® enables boat owners to be proactive, not just reactive. As a multi-purpose spill response solution, this reusable mat catches and contains fuel before it becomes a problem.

Providing 10" x 10" of fuel absorbing power, the waterproof Chadd Padd is anti-static treated and can hold up to 4.5 oz. of petroleum products. Made of the same material marinas are required to have for Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) requirements, the effective pad saves owners fines and the hassle of clean up.

The Chadd Padd can be used multiple times for a variety of applications. With a perforated, partial hole design, it accommodates most filler ports for refueling or adding oil. The pad can also be employed as a drip mat, in the bilge before pump-out or when working with hydraulic fluid. It’s even disposable, in accordance with applicable regulations.

The economical Chadd Padd has a suggested retail price of just $9.95 for a convenient 6-pack, while a roll of 36 pads is $34.95. Enter promo code EZFUEL8 at www.chaddpadd.com to save 10%. Larger sizes, greater quantities, dispensers, Wind Chocks and other accessories are also available.

I had to look all over town to find a new “Perfect Bungee” light duty cord. I knew I wanted exactly this product, and not some other bungee product. Because why?

Because it works so well on my foredeck!

Shown here you can see the original, out in the sun and rain and saltwater for over five years, and just starting to show signs of wear. That’s why I wanted a new one.

See why it’s so perfect for this application? The nylon hooks are small enough to go through my quarter-inch anchor chain, but they’re smooth and snag-free, minimizing opportunities for anchor rode or dockline to tangle on them. They’re also rust-free, of course. This is in contrast to conventional bungee cords, which have bulky metallic hooks which may or may not be stainless.

The polyurethane cord itself is small in diameter, minimizing interference with the horn cleat. And finally, the entire thing is visually “discreet”, being one uniform color and narrow in profile. I’ve chosen, for the time being, not to replace my anchor windlass, and the Perfect Bungee light duty cord secures my anchor simply and effectively.

Lots of my fellow C-Dory owners have expressed dissatisfaction with the factory-installed hatches covering the cockpit lazarettes. The trouble is that the stock hatches are not designed for horizontal installation. They collect water in the gap between the hatch and its frame; when you open them, the water spills INTO the locker!

So the clever C-Brats have identified a replacement that fits into the existing hole and works much better. I got mine this week, and decided to tackle the replacement project now, while the boat is in my driveway.

Step 1: Remove screws.

Step 2: Gently separate hatch frame with plastic putty knife/scraper/spatula.

Step 3: Gently pry the entire hatch/frame assembly up off the deck.

Step 4: Assess the damage. Look at the screws you removed for signs of rust, and examine the (sealed) balsa-core for signs of rot.

Decide how you want to address any issues you uncover. In my case, a bit more exploration reveals that the balsa core behind the stained sealant in the image below is still intact, though moist. At this point, it should be easy to contain this problem by allowing it to dry out thoroughly, since I won’t be reusing this hole for the new hatch anyway.

Step 5: Remove as much of the old adhesive/sealant as you can using an appropriate tool. I found a metal paint scraper worked extremely well. The goal is to remove as much of it as you can without gouging the gelcoat.

Once you get the feel for it, you might be able to remove large sections and leave only a thin layer or caulking on the fiberglass.

Start working near the opening, where mistakes will be covered with new adhesive sealant. As you gain confidence, come back and work nearer the finish edge where mistakes might be visible later.

Step 6: Use solvent to remove the last traces of old caulking. I used DeBond’s Marine Formula, with a blue 3M Scotch-Brite non-scratch scour pad. Warning: DeBond will cause the blue dye in the Scotch-Brite pad to be released. No big deal, and it’s actually somewhat helpful because the blue dye sticks to the spots where caulking still remains, but wipes off clean gelcoat.

Step 7: Test-fit the new hatch, decide what sort of fasteners to use. I’m going to through-bolt mine; I dislike coarse-threaded screws driven into cored fiberglass. I want any water that gets in through the top to have a way out through the bottom.

Once you’ve decided on fasteners, go shopping.

Coming up in Part 2: Selecting an appropriate adhesive/sealant, using denatured alcohol to prep the surface, and bedding the new hatches properly.

“DECK PLATES PROVIDE THE ACCESS BOATERS DEMAND”

Um, sure they do!

Sometimes, I think about starting a Navagear feature called “Silly press release of the week.” This is a good example.

Please bear in mind that I’m not slamming the product. These Beckson deck plates are top-notch, and reasonably priced. There’s absolutely nothing to complain about here. I have two of them on my workbench now, awaiting time for me to incorporate them into one of my projects.

But a press release about a product that’s been on the market in essentially this same identical form for…what?…two decades? That isn’t really “news”, guys. Hence “silly press release of the week.”

It might annoy my publicist friends, on whom I rely for lots of product news and information, so I wouldn’t want that. And it might annoy the manufacturers.

But on the other hand, it WOULD focus attention on the products, which is really the point of a press release, after all. Somebody once said “I don’t care what the newspapers say about me as long as they spell my name right!” (Attributed variously to Mae West, P.T. Barnum, George M. Cohan, Will Rogers, W.C. Fields, Mark Twain, and Oscar Wilde.)

So while I would be poking a bit of fun at the whole product marketing machine, I would also be serving the interests of that machine. I don’t know, I’m divided about it. Would “Silly Press Release” make a good Navagear feature? Add your thoughts in the comments section below. Publicists and manufactures: Feel free to chime in publicly, or send me a private email.

Anyway, on with the silly press release about a great product! …

With screw-out, pry-out and twist-out styles across four different sizes and three different surface textures, Beckson Marine has a deck plate to meet every need. All plastic, watertight, UV-protected and non-jamming, Beckson’s deck plates are built to last and provide years of trouble-free service.

Beckson’s Screw-Out Plates incorporate a cover design that will not open unexpectedly. It also prevents jamming and cross-threading, which can stop a cover from being closed. Providing access without the use of tools, they feature a self-aligning center and an innovative gasket to assure a watertight seal. A patented back-up sealing wall leaves the plate watertight, even if the gasket is removed. They are available in 4", 6", and 8" models.

Developed with an extra heavy O-ring to assure a watertight fit, Beckson’s Pry-Out Deck Plates are offered with smooth or non-skid surface patterns for different installation requirements. The Diamond Non-Skid Pattern extends across the center, eliminating the edge ring that can trap dirt and debris. The Pry-Out Deck Plates come in 6" and 8" sizes.

For a clean, modern look on any bulkhead, Beckson’s 5" Twist-Out Deck Plates conceal mounting fasteners under their quick-twist cover. The low-profile cover is self-centering and quickly locks in place with a 1/8 twist. Three separate sealing areas, each designed to send water away from the plate opening, assure a watertight closure. The bayonet threads lift the cover from the center for easy removal.

Beckson’s Deck Plates come in white, beige, black and clear with custom colors offered at the OEM level with choices of smooth, dimple or diamond surface textures.

Paul Hoffman was showing off some of this material at the Seattle Boat Show today (East 1132).

Brighterworks custom-fabricates companionways, caprails, grab rails, and tables for sailboats and motor yachts using high-density polyethylene (HDPE), a highly uv-resistant, super hard plastic made specifically for the marine industry by Seaboard.

Whether your brightwork is made of teak, mahogany, brass or stainless, they can replace it with well-crafted, low-maintenance “brighterwork”.

I was impressed with the workmanship, and on some boats this could be a really nice alternative to wood, especially if you’re not too attached to your teak. But make no mistake: your first impression is going to be “This is plastic wood!” If that’s going to offend your sensibilities, this is not a product for you. For many of us who would rather not refinish it every year or two, though, this could be a perfectly acceptable alternative.