So, here is the scenario.
You’re out sailing on a stbd tack. The boat is pretty well heeled over to port.
You spot what you think is a mermaid in the water, and you go to grab your binoculars.
And of course, they’re in one of the lift up cupboards above the chart table.
So, then you start to lift it up with one hand, while holding on to the rail above with the other.
Ok, the binoculars are inside. But, you’re out of hands.
So, you use your forehead to hold the panel up, while steading yourself with your left hand, while rummaging with your right hand to find the bins.
Wouldn’t it be nice if there was a simpler way?
Well, I looked into mounting struts inside to keep the panels open, but there’s no room.
So, here’s a neat trick
Above each of the panels, mount 1 piece of shock cord. On one end fasten a ring. Install an extra screw, so that the cord stays in place by hooking the ring over the screw.
Now, once you lift up the panel, just take the ring on the end of the shock cord, and slip it over the Southco latch
Magic!!
The shock cord & ring hold the panel up, and and it takes all of 1 second to do this. Plus it costs about 25 cents to make.
You’re out sailing on a stbd tack. The boat is pretty well heeled over to port.
You spot what you think is a mermaid in the water, and you go to grab your binoculars.
And of course, they’re in one of the lift up cupboards above the chart table.
So, then you start to lift it up with one hand, while holding on to the rail above with the other.
Ok, the binoculars are inside. But, you’re out of hands.
So, you use your forehead to hold the panel up, while steading yourself with your left hand, while rummaging with your right hand to find the bins.
Wouldn’t it be nice if there was a simpler way?
Well, I looked into mounting struts inside to keep the panels open, but there’s no room.
So, here’s a neat trick
Above each of the panels, mount 1 piece of shock cord. On one end fasten a ring. Install an extra screw, so that the cord stays in place by hooking the ring over the screw.
Now, once you lift up the panel, just take the ring on the end of the shock cord, and slip it over the Southco latch
Magic!!
The shock cord & ring hold the panel up, and and it takes all of 1 second to do this. Plus it costs about 25 cents to make.
