I saw this great storage idea for eyeglasses, sunglasses and readers when I was on a friend’s Gemini yesterday. Brenda of Some Dream graciously let me take a photo and use it here.
She found it pre-made at Camping World some years ago. The suction cup bungees were sold for RVers and others to put across shelves (cupboards and in the refrigerator) to secure items from falling. Well, the suction cups just weren’t up to the task and the few reviews I could find were very negative about using them for that purpose. I can’t find that they’re still sold anywhere.
However, the suction cups are strong enough to hold a few pairs of glasses. You can get a couple of suction cups, a bit of bungee cord and make your own pretty easily.
Or use a couple of cup hooks and put up shock cord similar to my towel bar. It’d work just as well for glasses . . . as would some of the other ideas people left in the comments on that post.
I like the concept because it’s so easy to do, keeps any glasses you’re not wearing accessible and takes up very little room. Admittedly, I haven’t done it on our boat . . . both Dave and I wear the polarized Transitions glasses (yeah, progressive bifocal too) and just don’t have any other glasses. But for years we did, and this would have been perfect next to the companionway!
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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.
Kathy Orr says
GREAT idea! I could use this at home, too!
Anne Ellingsen says
We use this for our glasses too
Lynn Kaak says
We found these shower organizers (we added the shock cord). It also holds my GPS watches (I’m a runner) and other miscellaneous things. We have “his and ” hers”.
Carolyn Shearlock says
Great idea!
Lynn Kaak says
The white and red things are bike lights we use for the dinghy at night. The red is nice as it is very bright, but doesn’t destroy our night vision.
HaroldandBeverly Venable says
Have you announced where you are laying off in the Keys? We are going to be in area next week and would love to have a sighting of Barefoot Gal, from afar of course! We love your menus and tips. Tnx so much. Buying your battery monitor for our Hunter 26 next.
The Boat Galley says
We’re in Boot Key Harbor — Marathon. Can’t really see us from shore, we’re at the west end of the mooring field. Let me know when you’ll be here — love to meet in person if it works with both our schedules!
Vala Richmond says
Great idea! I’ve taken to stashing reading glasses all over the boat as I inevitably need one at the other end of wherever I left them. I have had great luck with 3M’s removable hooks, both the coat hooks and the smaller ones, great for holding shock cord in unusual places without having to drill holes or glue.. I have had good success putting them on both wood and fiberglass surfaces, they seem to handle the humidity well too. They can’t take too much weight but come off remarkably easy when you want to take them down. Even after they have been up for awhile.
Frank Collins says
Great Idea, I have numerous pairs of glasses and when needed they are usually gone. Funny, but as I get older the easier it is to lose them, except for the ones that are on the top of my head. Lol.
Susie says
Nooooo! Never store glasses like this they’ll get scratched especially in a high traffic area like a companionway. If you value your eyesight and your expensive lenses always put them back in their case. We’ve a deep shelf by the chart table for storing glasses cases and spare pairs in their cases live in.a plastic shoe box in a locker. Also add a string to every pair so you never lose them overboard, even a bit of thin “boat string” tied to either arm will suffice.
Anne Ellingsen says
Yep have that system & love it
Nipper Skipper says
Wonderfully obvious solution!
Lupari Sue says
Just did exactly this with fishing line. It works a treat when we remember to put the glasses there. ☺
Barbara Lowell says
Love the scratch free quality of this storage. Most of my glasses are scratched because I am scatterbrained about where I leave them. Thanx
Olly Perkins says
I love this – I am going to buy some suction cups now!
Sailing Luna Sea says
How funny – that’s almost the exact same set up we have. Works great!
Dawn Read says
Done.
Lupari Sue says
We do that too