Since I went on a "BEST" rant yesterday, I've had no end of requests about things that work...
Most folk would not understand the importance of finding a clothespin that actually works! Clothespins are sort of a one-is-just-like-another until you move on a boat and then it becomes obvious (in a hurry) that all clothespins are not created equal. Most are not strong enough to deal with the odd squall that will blow through and, unless you actually enjoy diving the anchorage in search of your underwear and favorite towel, strong clothespins are a needful thing. So are clothespins that do not rust as it is no fun having your favorite shirt ruined with big drips of rust from those metal springs and, have I ranted yet about clothespins that biodegrade in the sun in short order?
We found these clothespins at K-Mart and they have lasted over a year, are strong, and UV resistant. While they cost a few bucks more than the ones that fall apart and don't hold your clothes to the lifelines, trust me they are well worth the splurge...
I've touched on knives from time to time here on the blog and like any "guy" I really admire and respect a good blade. One of the best working things on "So It Goes" are the knives we use for deck work that we have scattered in various might-need-a-knife-here-in-a-hurry locations (cockpit, bow, stern and mast). I think we bought a set of six around ten years ago at a dollar store for about three dollars... Yeah, cheap-ass steak knives!
Even now, as rusty and beat up as they are, the serrated blades still cut through nylon, polyester and Spectra like butter which is more than I can say for some expensive "sailing knives" I've bought in the past...
What's not to like about our Barient winches? Installed on So It Goes back in 1969 they still have plenty of power to deal with any sail I'd want to put on the boat and, while they are not self-tailing (IMHO no one NEEDS self-tailing winches), what would be the point of replacing them with something newer?
Since we are talking things winchy, I really should add that our Simpson Lawrence Anchorman manual windlass is both bombproof, foolproof, and makes getting the anchor in both facile and painless (plus it makes a great pillow for Willow the Wondercat) and as it cost us a whole $100, it makes Mr Cheapseats one happy camper!
