My latest project on Barefoot Gal has been to put up some towel racks, both in the galley and head.
I had been hanging my kitchen towels (bar rags, really) on the oven door, but the problem was that there was very little air flow there and the towels wouldn’t dry, they’d just stink.
Problem was, there really wasn’t a good location for hooks or a traditional towel rack.
Our solution was to put two cup hooks in the bottom of a trim piece (if I ever remove them, the holes aren’t visible) and run a piece of shock cord between them.
It’s right above my one counter, and I simply take the towels down when I’m working there (I’m usually using them to wipe up things on the counter, my hands, etc. anyway) and hang them back up when I’m done.
Extremely easy — took about five minutes to do and my towels now actually dry.
Since this had worked so well, I decided to add a couple more towel bars in the head — one for the rag we use to wipe water off the counters and one for Dave’s wash cloth (I prefer the Lunatec Trekr cloths that dry almost instantly — on the same hook with my shower towel — but Dave prefers a terry cloth washrag that takes forever to dry).
These were even easier since there were already attachment points for the shock cord.
A couple days ago, I wrote a post about how we make the loops in the shock cord with hog rings. And for “everyday” shock cord projects like this, we use 1/4″ or occasionally 3/16″ and usually get it from Amazon which has much better prices than the marine stores (any that I’ve bought there has been good quality, but not quite as high as the “marine quality”). We buy it in 50′ rolls and just keep it on hand for various projects.
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Carolyn Shearlock has lived aboard full-time for 17 years, splitting her time between a Tayana 37 monohull and a Gemini 105 catamaran. She’s cruised over 14,000 miles, from Pacific Mexico and Central America to Florida and the Bahamas, gaining firsthand experience with the joys and challenges of life on the water.
Through The Boat Galley, Carolyn has helped thousands of people explore, prepare for, and enjoy life afloat. She shares her expertise as an instructor at Cruisers University, in leading boating publications, and through her bestselling book, The Boat Galley Cookbook. She is passionate about helping others embark on their liveaboard journey—making life on the water simpler, safer, and more enjoyable.
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Court Crosby says
I use little towel grabbers in the galley and head. The adhesive doesn’t last, but one small screw holds them well.
Carlos R. Escandel says
How do you keep it interesting?, don’t know, but you manage to make me want it read it every time. I got some ideas thanks to you .
The Boat Galley says
Thanks so much for that! Made my day!
Carlos R. Escandel says
believe me when I say it’s worth it for me being new at this, thanks again!
Ann Snider says
We do something similar in our head. We have a separate shower and crisscrossed some string in there and hang towels, bathing suits and anything else that needs to be dried. A small fan helps things to dry. 🙂
John Folk says
Hi there I’m buying supplies for shock cord projects and I’m confused about hog ring sizes – if I’m making a loop in 1/4 inch shock cord (crimping a piece back on itself) do I need 1/4 hog rings or 1/2 hog rings (2x 1/4)? Thanks and see you in Annapolis
Carolyn Shearlock says
1/4″ for 1/4″ shock cord — it assumes you’ll have two of the named size.
KitKat says
You always have interesting & diverse tips & tricks in your newsletter. cool!
Scott Vincent-Barwood says
I have been reading your issues for a year or more and have always enjoyed the peek into cruising life.
Now I have finally made the step and own a Legacy 35, living on board and looking forward to many adventures cruising the FL east coast and (eventually) the Caribbean.
Thanks for all the wonderful articles.
Scott
Aboard: IF NOT NOW.
Carolyn Shearlock says
WOO-HOO! Contrats on your new boat!!