Boat Doc Special

I keep a plastic jug—one with a handle—aboard my boat and use it several times a year. It takes the place of items I might buy anyway, so it saves money. And it performs multiple functions, so it saves space.

WWith plastic filling our oceans at an increasing rate, anything we can do to keep it out of the waste stream helps. If a lot of people do a little bit, it really does add up.

SCOOP Whether it’s the cubes from the marina’s ice machine or the sand your grandchild is molding into a castle at your favorite cove, beach or sandbar, a scoop comes in handy aboard the boat. Keep the cap on in this application.

HEAD The jug can prove convenient when nature calls. Use the jug with the cap on for this purpose, retaining the end product for disposal upon completion of the deed. Bleach-based disinfecting is recommended following use.

FUNNEL Most boaters know the trick of pouring over the handle to make pouring fluids a neater job. Even so, a funnel makes filling oil, adding fuel from a can, or topping off coolant super neat. Remove the cap—I find the jug’s threads mate with those of some fill pipes, which can make the jug a hands-free tool.

FILTER CHANGER

Whether it’s the side-mounted oil filter on my engine or the fuel filter located at arm’s length through an 8-inch-diameter deck plate, I use the jug to ensure filter changes don’t include spills. After loosening the filter with the wrench, I hold the jug under the filter and then spin it off by hand, catching the element, and any fuel or oil, for proper disposal.

BAILER For this use, I suggest leaving the cap on, unless you assign the bailing task to a shipmate with a sense of humor. So, the livewell or fish-box pump goes kaput? Break out the jug and bail out the box. Have a dinghy or kayak? Tie the jug to a thwart or frame to eliminate paddle drips and spray.

PUMP WINTERIZER

Close the seacock, if applicable, and remove a pump’s intake hose. With the cap on the jug, fill it three-quarters full with nontoxic antifreeze. Insert the intake hose and turn on the pump so your livewell, washdown, transom shower, sink or whatever water circuit is protected against freeze damage.

MAKE A MULTITOOL

Cut the scoop shape using a utility knife. Retain the cap; it will come in handy, as the accompanying text explains. Add a lanyard to make it easy to hang up or secure in the boat or dinghy. Round bleach and soap jugs make the best all-around multitool, but a narrow oil or antifreeze jug can be useful if you have a need to scoop or bail in a narrow area. Feel free to add your boat’s name, apply stickers or otherwise personalize it. Have fun, and consider other ways you can repurpose plastic or minimize its use aboard.