Date: Fri Nov 16, 2001 6:50 am


In the course of my maintenance my boat has collected dust and residue from 
filing, sanding, and drilling.  At dockside I can use a shop vac.  For 
offshore and cruising, what would you suggest for something that is 
effective but not overly obtrusive storage-wise?

Date: Fri Nov 16, 2001 7:25 am

My experience with dustbusters is mediocre, but if you find one that is powerful enough to be effective, let me know. Meanwhile, I am content with handbroom and dustpan...

Date: Fri Nov 16, 2001 10:00 am

I use a whiskbroom. It works well in corners and on the upholstery. I can
also have the whole job done in the time it takes to bring a vacuum cleaner
aboard. It hangs on a hook on the sink cabinet door.

Date: Fri Nov 16, 2001 10:03 am

A friend has a 12v cannister vaccuum aboard his 41' OutIsland. It looks like a micro shop-vac, maybe 1gal, but I don't know the brandname. I had a red devil handvac for my car which used a cigarrette plug-in-it worked great, but used beaters so would not be effective except on carpeting & upholstery, and died. On my current boat (not, alas, a SWII) I have a foxtail brush (the kind you can find at good woodworking stores) and a dustpan. Stows neatly.

Date: Fri Nov 16, 2001 10:18 am


Dust pan & brush or 12 volt vacuum works and stores well.

Date: Fri Nov 16, 2001 1:23 pm

My Green Brush Tale and a tribute to Fred Wood and his excellent marine store.

20 years ago when we bought Silver Spray, we went to the neighborhood boat store (Fred Wood in marblehead MA) and bought a brush and dustpan that nested together. Total price under $4. It hangs inside the sink door. Every day we have been aboard it comes out, is used to sweep the sole and bunks and goes back. The person not cooking that day has the green brush detail - a system that works without a hitch. Particularily since there are only the two of us sailing. We have become most fond of it, and when the time comes will give it an appropriate burial at sea. We went high tech one year and put on a 12 volt electric, it went off the end of the season, too much noise and too much trouble to use. Of course each spring and fall a thorough cleaning is done with a shoreside vac.