When anchoring it is important to know the current state of the tide and how much the tide will rise or fall during the time you will be at anchor. The skipper of this 45' Bayliner apparently did not consult the tide tables when anchoring in the Copeland Islands off Thulin Passage.

Al & Sandy Lehman
M/V Windshift

Saving Cold Cash:

When outfitting the boat with ice chests, plan on a large container for produce and food items and a separate box for housing soft drinks and often-called-for supplies. Items in the larger box will keep cool longer if the box is not opened frequently. Do rearranging of the chest in early morning or at night to avoid opening during the heat of the day. Put frozen foods near the bottom. Packages should be well wrapped so that they are waterproofed. Remember that cold travels downward. Thus, ice should be near or on the top to the extent possible. Produce, fragile foods, and things difficult to wrap go along the sides, or on top with the ice. To make this work, a block of ice must be chopped so that the weight does not crush the foods below it. Ice may be frozen at home in one quart, half gallon, or gallon milk cartons. Such blocks may be stored in the home freezer and taken aboard for short outings. Foods may also be frozen in these kinds of containers. Simply cut the container down to the desired height and cover with plastic wrap. Because of their shape, these frozen food blocks stack easily in the ice chest or freezer.

Windshield Washers for Boats:

Make your own system and avoid going out on deck to splash fresh water across the windows when saltwater blurs visibility. First, find space in the bilge for a five gallon plastic jug. Then a length of 1/2" plastic hose rises from the bottom of the jug, out the filler hole, and attaches to a 12 volt water pump. This pump can be purchased from any marine hardware store. Another section of 1/2" hose extends from the pump to the top of the windshield over the in the wheelhouse. Drill a hole through the header above the windshield. Insert a 1/2" to 1/4" reducing brass nipple in the hole and attach the hose from inside to the nipple. Next attach copper tubing to the outside end of the nipple. The outside end of the tubing is pinched with a pair of pliers to restrict water passage and force a spray that is directed down toward the surface of the window. Two (or more) windows may be rigged to spray at the same time by using a brass tee in the line. The installation is completed by placing a switch for the water pump on the dashboard. Wire it in. Fill the jug with water containing window washer solvent. One five gallon jugs lasted us most of the season.

Tooth Ache?:

Take along some cloves in the medicine kit. If a tooth ache should arrive, one "well aged" medical book suggests putting two cloves between the aching tooth and your cheek. Chew the cloves a bit to release their juice, and leave in place for 1/2 hour or until pain subsides. Continue this treatment until you reach a dentist.

Pick a Bouquet of Wildflowers:

To help a favorite arrangement lasting longer, try adding 2,3, or 4 pennies to the water, depending on the size of the bouquet.

Picnic Cupcakes:

When making cupcakes to go outdoors or to the boat, put the frosting inside the cupcake instead of on top where it will just stick to the wrapping. Cut a cone shaped pieces from the top, put the frosting inside, and return the top.

Bee Stings:

Take the sting out of a bee, wasp, or other bite of a bug, by applying a thick paste made of meat tenderizer and water. Adolph's Meat Tenderizer is well known for this use, and is often the doctor's formula when treating patients. Since it works in the doctor's office, why shouldn't it work as well in the outdoors?

Seasonings:

Celery tops, parsley, chives, even onion tops can be dried in a 150 degree oven to use for seasoning. Store in a dark place.

Barrel Buoy Tie-ups:

Large barrel buoys require a unique method of tie-up to avoid banging the buoy against the hull. The following advice is given with the assumption that the water is calm in the anchorage. The secret is to make a tie that is snug and holds the barrel tight against the hull. First, place fenders between the barrel and the hull. Then run a long line from a bow cleat through the eye on the barrel, to a cleat either amid ships or at the stern. Next, tie the fenders between the boat and the barrel so that they are positioned correctly. Finally, tighten the line that runs through the buoy so that the buoy is unable to move along the line and is, instead, secured snugly to the boat.

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