Reader Tip: line handler
Ever feel like the cockpit is a spaghetti bowl of lines? Want a really simple solution — and one that can be removed on a moment’s notice with no damage to the boat?
Enter 3M Command Cord Bundlers. This tip came from Tami, who has sent me several other great ideas to The Boat Galley in the past.
The Cord Bundlers are designed for hanging extension cords, but they work well for sheets, halyards and other lines in the cockpit (or elsewhere). And unlike hooks, they won’t hurt if you fall against one!
Tami reports that it’s easy both to hang lines and to quickly release them when it’s time to get underway. I love how nice and tidy they look — and being able to hang lines where you want them instead of where there is a winch would have a lot of advantages (I was always moving loops of line so that I could sit without a loop of line behind my back).
All you need is a smooth fiberglass or painted surface to mount the cord bundler on. These are the same Command Strips that are often used for holding pictures and other things below, and can be easily removed without leaving a mark. But be sure to read the package for instructions on how to remove them — it’s very easy, but there is a special technique (pulling the tab straight down) to remove the bundler.
The one thing to note is that if paint or varnish is not in good condition — that is, if it’s starting to peel or lift up, Command Strips can pull the paint or varnish off when you remove them.
For more tips on how to get the most out of your galley, visit The Boat Galley.
_Do you have a simple solution for a problem on board? Send your idea and a photo toHOS@cruisingworld.com. If we use your tip in the newsletter, we’ll send you a cool **_Cruising World_ Hands-On Sailor t-shirt!**_
