20 unlikely DIY products to fix anything on a boat

Know a spot on the boat where a crew member has taken? Non-skid tape might be the perfect solution.

Be sure to clean the area with Jif (below) to remove all wax and oil, then let it dry and lay down the tape. As well as the added safety benefit, this jet black tape looks good, too.

• Tip: It also comes in clear

“Water dispersant” formula #40 is well-known and versatile and should be carried on every boat. What’s inside the can is a strict trade secret but many people claim it’s shark oil, and thus the reason it seems to work well on fishing lures. Yes, that is tip number one. Spray a bit of WD-40 onto your lures to keep them from rusting and maybe even help attract fish.

WD-40 will also:

• Remove sticky glue residues

• Brighten stainless steel

• Start a stubborn diesel engine. Since WD-40 is less volatile than starting fluid, mechanics claim it can be used without the rod-bending risks associated with starting fluid.

This two-part underwater epoxy is a magical cure for leaks below the waterline. Mix the two parts in a dry environment and smear over the problem area. Unlike most epoxies, Splash Zone sticks underwater. If a leak is going to be temporarily repaired, this is the stuff for the job. It also works well on leaking drain pipes.

• Tip: This and many other epoxies are bought in tin cans that quickly rust in a boat. For long-term storage remove the epoxy and place it in clearly marked glass jars in a cool, dry, dark location.

A simple, clean, inexpensive, non-staining lubricant, silicone spray has dozens of uses aboard a boat. Spray on window slides for easy opening, and on zips to maintain their functionality. It’s also a good quick-fix spray-on waterproofing material.

• Tip: Keep an eye at your local hardware store for large cans of silicone spray on sale. It’s the perfect time to grab one for the boat.

The unsurpassed all-purpose soft scrub, soap and cleanser is used by professional boat cleaners the world over. The mild abrasive effect and the gentle deep cleaning allow Jif to clean just about any surface (Note: Never use Jif on gelcoat and use with caution on painted surfaces).

Jif can also:

• Remove green slime on the waterline

• Clean soiled boat fenders

• Polish stainless steel. While not as good as regular metal polish, in a pinch the mild abrasive action of Jif will brighten stainless steel.

Advertised as electrical tape in a can, its uses are endless. The gooey black (or red) messy paste penetrates the individual strands of wire, providing a long-lasting protective coating. Paste over electrical connections in locations too tight to wrap with regular electrical tape. Great for extreme wet locations like bilgepumps, but also useful as “whip it” for small line ends and a general purpose sealant.

• Tip: Once opened the whole can may cure. To increase the lifespan store the can upside-down to prevent evaporation. If the lid sticks in place keep a pair of channel-lock pliers around for easy opening. 

Used mainly for insulation of high-voltage power lines, self-amalgamating tape looks like black electrical tape except it’s much thicker and stretches. Rigging shops sell the same product in yacht white. Once stretched, this amazing tape wants to stick to itself. While it makes for a good electrical insulation material it is also great for stopping leaks in hoses.

Two wraps around an object produces 2kg of compressive force, and 50 wraps produces 50kg. While this force won’t stem a leaking hydraulic hose, wrapped properly, it will stop a leaking. Since the tape “grabs” by stretch and compression and not glue, it can even be used on wet surfaces. For extra security gently tighten a hose clamp over the top.

Sold for less than $50, these refillable butane multiuse tools make boat-life easier. The hot-air attachment works on heat-shrink tube, the flame tip will reach temperatures that can free seized nuts and will even melt the ends of large dock lines. The cutting tip will quickly cut and seal medium-sized lines, giving a professional look to the finished job. The soldering tip allows quick fixes of wires, especially small difficult-to-solder pinpoint connections.

• Tip: Don’t forget to keep a spare can of butane for fast refills.

A basic clear silicone gasket maker is just the right fix for a seeping window or dripping deck hatch (I have even heard of a bloke who used a version of this product called Blue Max to seal a leaking engine cooling pump and it apparently got him home over two days’ travel).

• Tip: Don’t use silicone over any surface that will require painting later on. It will stop paint adhering to the surface for years to come.

Diluted phosphoric acid removes rust stains from almost any surface. A quick spray will clean and dissolve streaks from rusting fasteners and bleeding deck hardware — and it will even clean the side of a steel boat. Mix a solution of water and phosphoric acid at a 10:1 dilution ratio. Paint or spray over the rust bleeds and wait half an hour. Keep the area moist with an occasional gentle spray of water and watch the rust streaks disappear.

• Tip: Removing rust streaks may clean the mess, but the underlying cause may still be present. Rusting fittings or deck hardware might mean the bolts are failing and need attention.

On some boats standard wire ties have replaced lashing line for seizing. They can also secure shackles, serve as a temporary hose clamp, and are great for marking anchor chain lengths.

• Tip: Trim the wire tie tail flush with a sharp knife to prevent the irritating sharp, skin-cutting stub left on most wire tie tails.