Protecting Books from Getting Wet.

[NOMN]

Any ideas bros?!!

edit: on a shelf. I was thinking about fastening some kind of plastic zipper.... thing.. but then I thought that would be ridiculous!

MAYBE DITCH THE SHELF IDEA ALTOGETHER AND PLACE THE IN A WATERPROOF TOTE?!

[Jimbo485]

Maybe close the hatch and fix the leaks, mate?

[colemj]

Get a Kindle or similar?

Mark

[Rakuflames]

I use a Kindle for most books, but some books, especially older ones, don't come in electronic format. I put those in a plastic bin and throw in dehydrating packets like the ones that come with shoes in there.

[Rakuflames]

Originally Posted by Jimbo485

Maybe close the hatch and fix the leaks, mate?

Leaks can be really hard to trace, and in the time it takes, a lot of books could be ruined. I have heard highly accomplished people here say that "all boats leak." It's not quite true (mine doesn't) -- but if it did, I think it would be hard to trace down.

[Hudson Force]

I'm all for fixing the leaks too. With a 26' boat it wouldn't be too hard to seal the companionway and all but one vent with some plastic and tape. Soap down the deck and put a leaf blower to the open deck vent. I've seen this work well to show the soapy water bubbling at the leak points. Obviously an easier task on a smaller boat.

[Zanshin]

If the boat is truly wet then I'd use cheap freezer bags to keep books dry - you can get them in all sizes and with a bit of dessicant inside the books should hold for a while.

[zeehag]

if the boat is that wet--do not get puter or kindle--you will just be buying puters yearly and as needed..pricey way to avoid rebedding the leaks----the smart thing to do is repair the leaks...i did and my books are dry as bones and dust. funny thing how that works..yes WORKS.
have leaks--rebed everything on top of boat--stanchions, travellers, tracks, chainplates--EVERYTHING that goes thru the deck--hatches--EVERYTHING. you will be amazed at how dry your boat CAN be. if you have a keel stepped mast--change your mast boot while you are at it. helps.
use plenty of goober/bedding compound in this adventure. prep well so no leaks happen for a few years.

[Rakuflames]

Originally Posted by Zanshin

If the boat is truly wet then I'd use cheap freezer bags to keep books dry - you can get them in all sizes and with a bit of dessicant inside the books should hold for a while.

Computers and e-readers can also go into plastic bags, which isn't a bad idea as drinks can get spilled when the boat lurches. But unless your boat has multiple leaks all over the place, there must be a dry place you can store these things? You can also put your computer, e-reader, Ipad, whatever electronics you have in a plastic crate.

But I agree with Force saying that eventually you need to find the source of the leaks. Since you mentioned shelves, I'm wondering where your shrouds meet the deck and whether those screw holes, etc. are well sealed. I looked at a boat that had really bad rot around the chainplates. We expected to see that, though, because we saw silicon all around the bottoms of the shrouds on deck. Silicone doesn't make a good long-term seal on boats, unless you use specialty marine sealers.

[NOMN]

I'm kind of worried about a flip TBH. It's not so much leakage.

[Hudson Force]

Originally Posted by NOMN

I'm kind of worried about a flip...............

By "flip" are you referring to turning your boat upside down? Where are you sailing? This is a Cape Dory with a fairly full keel, right? Are you risking sailing among large breaking waves? Are you concerned with the normal reactions of your boat to wind alone? "Flipping" is a more common activity among sailing small centerboard dinghys or Hobie Cats. You're not going to be able to flip your Cape Dory with your keel attached to your boat unless you broach or pitch pole in a large breaking wave. If you "flip" your Cape Dory, the fate of your books will likely be a minor problem.

[Bash]

Originally Posted by NOMN

I'm kind of worried about a flip TBH. It's not so much leakage.

The trick is to learn how to flip your boat without getting water inside.

Seriously, I keep about 75 books aboard at all times, and have done so since I first began to live aboard in 1998. I've never yet had one get wet.