Low buck projects- Let's see 'em!

[CaptainForce]

I spent $2.58 on this yo-yo that I drilled out to replace my topping lift adjusters. My first yo-yo lasted about five years before UV damage required the refit.




One yo=yo for a ketch rig,- those with sloops can split the cost! 'take care and joy, Aythya crew

[CaptainForce]

Oh, another cheap DIY,-I guess I hve a lot of "cheap" aboard! I used this heavily tinted piece of polycarbonate (Lexan) over a cut out made in my aft companionway slide. Lots of light below and a replacement of an old worn surface.

The adjacent handrail is Starboard cut to match the former teak piece that was old and this requires zero maintenance. 'works well on classic plastic with the desire for no brightwork.'take care and joy, Aythya crew

[pdqaltair]

I have these port and starboard, and one more up front for mooring stuff.

The thinner style is useful for glasses, tools, etc. I have 2 in the cockpit, and one inside the companionway.

Wrap the wheel with cotton line. Warmer, cooler, and easier to grip.

My blog is full of cheap projects. Only the new heater reached near a boat buck.

[piav]

Originally Posted by brak

LED lights too - I made them myself out of regular light fixtures and LED boards.

I'm going all LED inside...would love to hear how you make your own lights!

[GaryHLucas]

I wanted a place to put bungee cords at the base of the mast that I use to tie off the halyards so they don't slap. I found a black nylon tool pouch at the Home Depot that worked perfectly. I just put a large black wire tie around the mast and through the belt loop. About $10 as I recall.

My Bimini top was completely shot. I bought a 6' x 8' heavy duty grey tarp from McMaster Carr for $9. I slit it around the backstay and reinforced the cut with grey tarp repair tape they also sold. Everyone is surprised at how well it looks, they don't realize it is a cheap tarp until I tell them. It is still servicable after a year, and I'll continue to use it until I get a round Tuit and make a new top.

Gary H. Lucas

Gary H. Lucas

[WinterRiver]

We started with these basic ugly plastic reading lights. When mine broke, it was time to look around for other solutions.



At Hamilton Marine we found these for $23.99, cheap for a light fixture: LED Stalk Light

Leaving the switches, the old plastic fixtures were swapped for the new stalk lights. The new lights work great, lighting just what we're reading, not the whole room. The LED light in the center is a bit blue for my taste, but if I move the book just a little bit to the edge of the light it's warm and easy on the eyes. I really like being able to direct the light so precisely. And, since it's LED, I don't worry too much about falling asleep with the light left on.

[bljones]

Nice work, people!

I needed duckboards, or a cockpit grate if you will, to replace the nasty looking deteriorated weird rubber mat that graced whiskeyjack's cockpit when I got her (see pics in first post of this thread). I priced having a teak grate custom built, my daughter burst into tears when i told her she was not going to be going to college, so then I decided to find an alternative. I bought two 8' cedar 2x6s and ripped them into 1 3/4 x 1/2" strips, measured and patterned my cockpit floor, started cutting and epoxying and gluing and screwing and varnishing and $32 later, this:



is now this:

[smackdaddy]

bl, dude, that is seriously sweet. Great work.

I did notice, however, that that tangle of rope seems to be growing. You might want to look into that before it complete envelops your pedestal.

[sarafinadh]

Originally Posted by timebandit

The v-birth cushions were don the same way but with them running accross. Doing this got rid of the "sleeping in the crack" and also gave ez access to the storage area below. It also kept one side from sliding out.

That is GENIUS! Thanks for the idea!

[roline]

I had unused stowage area behind the stove. So I schemed to develop a slide system with a stowage box behind. I wanted to be able to hold the Magna cook set, misc pot/pans, cans of food etc.... I lowered the shelf to make the box as large as possible without sacrificing the stowage below. The cad drawing, start of box assembly, installation with new front plate and stuffed full of cookware and food: I also ended up adding a starboard cover over the stove which makes a great cutting board.