8 GREAT BOAT HACKS FROM OUR HISTORY

A BOAT BELAY

This temporary outhaul rig will get your boat off a beach landing in a falling tide. Drop an anchor far enough offshore to ensure deep water after the tide drops, then shackle four fathoms of chain to the anchor and, at the other end, a swivel block. Rove some line through the swivel block to make an outhaul. The swivel block and outhaul line allow crew to pull the boat to deeper waters upon departure.

, , PUMP PUMP PUMP IT UP

Here we have a “do-ityourself faucet for a remote pump.” With just household plumbing fittings and some chrome-plated copper tubing, boaters could make a space-adaptable, leakproof faucet for their vessel.

FULL-METAL JACKET

You’re on your own with avoiding pinched fingers and possible capsizing, deFontaine says, but Bill Crowe at least figured out a way to protect a dinghy’s rail when pulling an anchor and chain into the boat. Form a wide piece of sheet metal (best if nonrusting) over a pipe to get the right shape, fit it onto the transom, and call it a day. Crowe’s was 20-gauge galvanized iron, springy enough to snap into place.

, THIS WAY FELLAS

Facing a powerboat restriction on his lake, E.T. Skelton crafted this “instant committee boat” to start the club’s races. Figure 1 depicts flag signals hoisted via a 6-foot yard attached to the mast. Figure 2 depicts Skelton’s jury-rigged course board. The piece of plywood has five grommet holes to secure it to the mast, and five panels on each side that indicate what course should be sailed.