Cruising: Uses for cat litter

Do you have someone to keep an eye on it at dock, tending to it as
necessary, and to move it if necessary (I'm thinking of storms and
better anchorages). For some reason I'm thinking that the Good Ship
Genesis is too big to be taken out of the water.

Jeanne Hedge, as directed by Natasha

Annie Wxill...

Hi Jeanne,
Yes, the dockmaster will start the engine and the generator every couple of
weeks to charge the batteries. It is a small enough marina that the entire
staff also will look out for Genesis. We left big storm fenders hanging and
lots of lines to the dock. In addition, some of the other people with
boats our size have offered to keep an eye out for us.

As for taking Genesis out of the water, we could have had the boat hauled at
a boatyard and stored on supports on land. Some people do that. It requires
a lift big enough to pull it out and move it to the spot where it can be
lowered onto the supports.

We probably will go to a boatyard and have it hauled in the spring to see if
it needs a new paint job or any work on the bottom.

We decided to leave in the water at the marina because it seemed to have the
best storm protection and people to look after it.

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http://www.jhedge.com

We are trying a new-to-us use for cat litter. A friend used it on his boat
and said it worked for him.
We are leaving Genesis for the winter and want to keep the moisture from
building up inside. Our friend suggested filling a pan with a layer of cat
litter, then charcoal (without the lighter fluid added) and sprinkling the
top with baking soda.
The idea is that the charcoal will attract moisture in the air and the cat
litter will grab onto said moisture and hold it and the baking soda will
prevent odors.
I asked him if he used clumping or non-clumping litter, and he didn't know
(not a cat person). I wonder if the crystals would be better than clay.
Anyway, we bought the clumping litter with baking soda already in it and the
charcoal. I wanted to get some crystal litter to compare, but Jim was in a
grab-and-go mood.
Anyway, the boxes are made up and temporarily stowed in the engine room to
keep Cinder and Rosie from trying them out.

What other uses other than the intended have people found for cat litter?

tanada...

Well, when driving in snow country, we keep a bag in the trunk of the car in
case we get stuck. It is great as helping get traction in the snow, but we
use cheap non-clumping clay stuff for that. We also use the same stuff to

jXwXeXrXmXoXnXt...

Not only is the non-clumping stuff cheaper, but I hear the clumping
litter isn't so great for traction in snow - it gets all slimy.

absorb oil on cement or asphalt.

Pam S.

Winnie...

I read that cat litter can be sprinkled on iccy roads to get some
traction. But I think sand
is cheaper to use for that purpose.

Annie, crew for Cinder and Rosie

Jo Firey...

Gas stations use it all the time to clean up spills.

Mishi...

One of the counties around here suggests using cheap clumpable litter
in used paint cans to absorb any left over paint.

Dan M...

When Harri Roadcat and I were still in the truck, I would occasionally use
cat litter to absorb spilled oil or diesel fuel. Some truck stops and
company terminals are criminally lax in cleaning up spills, and it can get
quite hazardous walking on them.