HD Suction Cups: Many Uses!

Fellow Boaters, one and all,

I recently discovered a neat item in a Harbor Freight store that I have found to have many applications. The item is a heavy duty Suction Cup! The cups come in a single lever-single cup, or double lever-double cup model.

I was looking for a simple and fast way to tie down our kayaks on our boat. Rather than drill holes in the cabin deck for securing straps, and having no other feasible options, we have used the single cups for tying down the bow and stern of the kayaks. Two double cup models on either side of the kayak midships are used to secure a hold-down strap across the hull. When installing the suction cups, I run a light coat of Vaseline around the rubber perimeter of the cup; this insures a better long term seal.

Yet another application is as a "hold-on handle" suctioned to the hull when cleaning the hull and/or waterline of your boat. The double cup models from Harbor Freight seem to work better than the single cup models sold in marine stores.

The outer portions of the suction cups are made of metal, so I chose to keep them coated with WD 40, or something similar, and have not had any problems with rusting. They are so inexpensive, that either buying several at once or replacing when needed, you still come out way ahead.

Let us know if you have discovered other uses for these items, we would love to hear about it!

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