Jury Rigging - Improvise, Adapt and Overcome

[Captain Smollett]

Jury rigging is something that comes up a fair bit on this board, but we've not really discussed it in detail.

Thought I'd solicit some jury rigging stories from the sailfar crew and see what kinds of ideas we've had in terms of real-world problem solving when you don't have 'the exact part' or time to repair properly.

I'll start with one of my own from this weekend's canoe camping outing.  We paddled out to Bear Island's Hammocks Beach State Park.

http://www.ncparks.gov/Visit/parks/habe/main.php

The paddle trail to the island is about 2.6 miles through the marshes of the Sound, and the island has 14 campsites.  We arrived at the site and began setting up our camp before exploring and playing on the beach.

Upon setting up our small (what the children call "medium,' since I have a 1 person backpacking tent) free standing dome tent, one of the fiberglass rods gave up the ghost.  I've had, and used hard, this tent since about 1990, the rod that broke has been split a long time.

Without a spare rod, I began thinking in terms of "splint" or "sisters."  We had a 15" metal sand stake we were not using which was plenty long and strong enough to support the stress of the tent's rod.  But how to attach it?

Yes, I'm one of those people that do NOT carry a roll of duct tape everywhere I go!

I figured I could lash it with some rope, but wanted something 'better.'  I ended up using two 'grocery store style' trash bags - one on each end.

Worked a champ!  The repair held overnight and through some pretty good puffs this morning.

(Photo by my daughter, H.F.R)

[w00dy]

Small diameter nylon twine (mason's twine) can lash anything together you'd ever want to connect. If you have a marlinspike (screwdriver) to pull it tight, you can do amazing things with this stuff. $3 a roll.

[Captain Smollett]

Small diameter nylon twine (mason's twine) can lash anything together you'd ever want to connect. If you have a marlinspike (screwdriver) to pull it tight, you can do amazing things with this stuff. $3 a roll.

True; however, when we camp, we tend to go "Spartan."  I don't carry a lot of stuff I don't intend to actually use EVERY day.

It comes from walking to many miles with a pack, and every ounce adds up.

If I can improvise a field expedient solution, that is preferable (to me) to carrying a lot of "what if" stuff that I'll probably forget I have anyway by the time I actually use it.

Obviously, that largely defines our boating style, too.

[CharlieJ]

small diameter nylon line is something I always had in my pack when backpacking. Usually not a lot- maybe 25, 30 feet.

And I keep a bundle on the boat too. Weighs nothing and has been extremely handy several times.

[Captain Smollett]

small diameter nylon line is something I always had in my pack when backpacking. Usually not a lot- maybe 25, 30 feet.

And I keep a bundle on the boat too. Weighs nothing and has been extremely handy several times.

:) :)

I always figured if I need line THAT badly...that's what shoe laces are for.

But, then again, sometimes I've gone out for a few days without a pack at all...slept on the ground (even in rain and mud) with only food I could carry in my pocket.  Yeah...it's a mindset thing.

;)  ;D

I have a spool of nylon line in my toolbox, so maybe I'll break down and take a piece on an upcoming backpacking trip.  Then again...improvising is sorta fun, too.

Haha.    ;)

[Captain Smollett]

But really...this thread is supposed to be about what you JURY RIGGED or IMPROVISED a solution for?  Huh?  Well?

8)

My BiL once had a distributor rotor fail on a road trip...used a paper clip for the conductor and it worked a champ-well enough to get him home.

As for sailing/boating, I've "dealt" with two rig failures under way: a broken gooseneck in one case (outside, off the Charleston sea buoy) and a broken spreader on an inland lake. 

However, neither of those required 'jury rigging' to make it "home," but it was something for the "Mindset" category in terms of dealing with a problem aboard.

I'd love to hear some stories of things folks have pressed into service in trying times.

[w00dy]

ut, then again, sometimes I've gone out for a few days without a pack at all...slept on the ground (even in rain and mud) with only food I could carry in my pocket.  Yeah...it's a mindset thing.

You're definitely right that it's a mindset. Who knows when you will be faced with a situation where you have nothing but your creativity and what you can scrounge. The more you practice this mindset, the better you will become and using what you have available instead of driving to the hardware store for the "right" tool/material.

[CharlieJ]

Actually, your repair wasn't a bad deal- tightly twisted grocery bags are most likely very strong, and even likely have a bit of stretch, which makes them tighter

And I KNOW I've jury rigged things before- can't recall examples right off my head though

[w00dy]

Best improvisation so far: We rent space in a large warehouse that is part bike shop, part garage. There is a separate, enclosed room where expensive parts are stored that is kept under lock and key. Now, I had some things stored in this room, but the key was not in its hiding spot (someone had forgotten to put it back). I needed this stuff, so I decided to take matters into my own hands. Luckily, I had a decent work bench with vice, bench grinder, files, and a wide assortment of mechanical tools. I took a handful of bicycle spokes and proceeded to fashion a tension wrench and assorted lockpicking rakes out of them. I even went so far as to heat treat the steel to harden it. 20 minutes later, I had the door open, my stuff secure, and quite a feeling of accomplishment.

[Captain Smollett]

Nice!

I'm a sucker for a good "lock pick to get your own stuff" story. 

Very cool.

[Frank]

My father used to say "a good pool player is the sign of an ill spent youth" (I could shoot!)
...just wondering...
whats a good lock picker the sign of??    :o ;D :D ;) :) ::)

[w00dy]

I wouldn't know.... My successes can be attributed to luck and/or doggedness...skill, not so much. Haven't had much practice. If I had to answer, I'd say its the sign of locking your keys in your car too many times  :-[