Commonsense ideas of a Maine cruiser

April, 2001

By Tom Snyder
How often have you read one of my columns and said to yourself, “Why didn’t I think of that?” It often happens to me, so I think maybe it”s time for me to do a monthly column called, Why didn”t I think of that? Commonsense Ideas of a Maine Cruiser. There are hundreds of little “breakthru” – clever cruising ideas that I feel almost obliged to share with the public.

Let’s first set aside any sour grapes from the reader who will bring up several reasons why I am not the man to do such a piece. First he will argue that I am not from Maine, that I have only been a visitor for a few seasons, that I live year-round in Cambridge, and that my temperament demonstrates none of the wisdom or calm that one associates with Maine. To this first comment I say, “fair enough.”

Next he will say that it is clear that I do none of my own boat maintenance, that I can”t replace my own raw-water impeller, that I am reticent with tools or, simply put, not all that handy. To this second and perhaps more hurtful comment I would also reply, “fair enough.”

Next this reader may say that I only came to boating in my late 40s, and that I’m frightened of most cloud formations that have a darkish tinge. To this final comment I say, “enough.”

There’s no need to attack a man, me, who has the imagination and the guts to think “out of the box.” So, concerning the reader who will say all of the above stuff, I guess I just feel sorry for him. What follows is my first installment.

Radar alternative

Who wants to spend $1,000 for radar? Not me. Here’s a cheap replacement solution that occurred to me just a few minutes ago. Attach a tennis ball to about 300 feet of string. There, you’re done! You can use a tote bag to store this when it”s not in use. When it is in use, you can put the tote bag somewhere nearby.

Usage tips: Stand in the cockpit of your boat and swing the ball overhead in ever-larger arcs until all 300 feet of line are out. (If you find that your mast is getting in the way, shift your position slightly to accommodate for this.) When you feel your ball hit something, you have just received a “ping.” With practice, you may be able to determine the speed and direction of your “target.” How handy is that?

Next steps. You may discover that 300 feet is not enough range, in which case you can increase the length of the string up to 20 miles, which is competitive with most commercial radar. You may then have to substitute a duffel for the tote bag.

(I’ll bet right about now a certain nay-saying reader is thinking that maybe he or she was a tad premature.)

Serving Tray

You pull into a cozy harbor, have your guests put on the sail covers and fix a treat for you in the cockpit. But how do they bring it all up through the companionway? Cheese, crackers, wine, honey mustard, knives, plates, thin-mint Girl Scout cookies, etc. On most coastal cruising boats there is little room to store something as big and ungainly as a serving tray. What if I told you that it’s already sitting there waiting to be found…in your chart table!

Charts are made from a sturdy, relatively waterproof paper stock that can be folded, origami-style, into a box structure. I know what you’re going to say. You are aghast at such a suggestion. You want to scream out, “Hey, are you crazy! I can’t do origami!”

Easy does it. I’m not going to ask you to make a pelican. This is the simplest of projects which requires only 14 folds and one incision. (See folding instructions on page 73.) Your stout and clever self-standing tray will amaze you. When you’re done, simply wipe off the mustard, reverse the folding procedure and return to the chart table. Here’s the best news of all: The next time you need your tray, you will find all of the previous fold lines to guide you in re-assembly.

So there you have it. Installment no. 1 in a series that could easily go on for years. I’m sure you all have your own ideas and would love to submit them, but let me just remind you that this is subtle stuff. There’s a difference between a) an idea that works and is useful and practical, and b) an idea that comes from a professional like myself. I’m not saying “don’t send your ideas.” I’m just saying that not everyone is qualified.

Tom Snyder lives in Cambridge, Mass., with his wife Anne and children. He sails his Island Packet 350, Blue Moon, out of Hingham, Mass., and Peaks Island, Maine.