We need a sailing term for this.

[Panta Rei]

Sailing has terms for just about everything surrounding the sailboat on the hard, at dock, or underway. I was surprised to find no sailing term for the one process I seem to do quite often as I upgrade and refurb my boat.
It is the act of reaching under the deck of a sailboat (generally impossibly tight and remote spaces) to place a washer or backing plate onto a bolt with two fingers while trying to thread a nut on the bolt with the remaining two fingers and opposing thumb.

I also wonder why the sailing gods have forced us (due to corrosion) to use only materials that magnets will not pick up.

 

[kenn]

Boat Yoga.

 

[Jackdaw]

Boat Braille.

 

[Delezynski]

I think I have a lot of words for just that. I just can't say them in mixed company or post them on this friendly board... ;-)

Greg

 

[Gudenuph]

There are several sailing terms for the situation; All of them are unprintable!
George

 

[Ralph Johnstone]

The Act is Commonly Referred to as ...........

It Is The Act Of Reaching Under The Deck Of A Sailboat (generally Impossibly Tight And Remote Spaces) To Place A Washer Or Backing Plate Onto A Bolt With Two Fingers While Trying To Thread A Nut On The Bolt With The Remaining Two Fingers And Opposing Thumb.
.

%#$&*@# ! ! ! ! !

 

[capta]

There were a few midgets (no kidding) who commanded high compensation, in SoFla, for just those sorts of jobs. Bradford Marine had one little guy about the size of a 5 year old who could squeeze into the tightest of spaces and work long hours, when necessary.
Alternatively, you could find a petite girlfriend (just don't tell the wife), or have children!

 

[Sailm8]

Boat Yoga.

How about a combo Boga

 

[RonRelyea]

sailing terminology

How about a combo Boga

actually ... that combo should be the Booga, Lou

 

[Brian D]

My answer? "Hey, kid, come hea."

 

[31seahorse]

There are a few perks to being Edward Pliershands!

We have all heard of "Deck Apes" serving onboard some sailboats. Why couldn't we employ "Below Deck Orangutans" for those long-reach jobs?

Actually, I've been successful using blue tape on the bottom of a box wrench.....as long as you have someone to turn the bolt/machine screw from the topside.

 

[Joe]

There were a few midgets (no kidding) who commanded high compensation, .............etc.!

Uh... just a heads up, but recently there has been a lot controversy on the use of the "M" word. I encourage you not to use that term in the presence of little people or families and friends of little people... just to avoid a possibly uncomfortable situation.

Not intending to be critical, just relaying the awkwardness I recently experienced because of my being unaware how offensive some folks consider the term.

 

[IH82BL8]

how about Bilge-threading?

BTW, regarding midgets: They would not be helpful if the location of the work requires a long reach.

 

[25yearslater]

I think the term I often used was Hoonta groonty. While it has no particular meaning it seemed to excorcise the demons of hand cramps quite well.

 

[Indysailor]

Just add the word twister on and there it is; bilge twister, sea cock twister, inboard twister, etc.