Top Ten Boat Gear Items of 2015

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This list has a charmingly random feel. But according to our computer, these were the most popular boat accessories in 2015:

1. Oarlock Sockets - $26.99 - $29.99

Oarlock Sockets

We sell a lot of rowing boats. These are the bronze oarlock sockets we've been shipping with kits since the 1990's.

Leather Oar Collars2. Leather Oar Collars - $28.00

 

Lots of rowing boats get built, and rowing boats need oars, and wooden oars are pretty, but they chafe against the bronze oarlocks. These leather oar collars look and feel good and will last as long as the oars do.

3. Happy Bottom Pad - $48.50Happy Bottom Pad

This writer can recall with clarity the office debate over what to call these custom-molded kayak seats, circa 1996 or so. "Happy Bottom Pad" was the least-awful name we came up with; consider yourself lucky. Whatever you call it, this closed-cell foam seat is just about perfect for any kayak.

Deck Plates
4. Deck Plates - $12.00 - $17.00

Deck plates? Okay, computer, if you say so! Available in various sizes and colors, these waterproof access ports are convenient for any size or type of boat. We use them in kayaks, and Madness-the-proa has at least seven of them. 

5. Brass Padeye - $10.50

Nothing sullies a beautiful wooden boat more than ugly hardware. As an attachment point for tow lines, grab handles, rigging, or anything else that belongs on a boat, these padeyes are shipshape and Bristol-fashion.

6. Footbrace Mounting Kit - $14.00Footbrace Mounting Kit

Evidently not many of you like the stock kayak footbrace installation scheme, which leaves the bolt-heads exposed on the outside of a kayak forever. This mounting kit hides the bolts inside the kayak's cockpit.

 Flat Blade Spruce Oars7. Flat Blade Oars - $118.00 - $139.00

Inexpensive but nicely-made spruce oars that work with all of our smallcraft.  Maybe it's the free shipping that makes them so popular!

 

Fancy Grab Handle8. Fancy Grab Handle - $6.50

Apparently indispensable, especially for kayak builders looking for the most comfortable handle for long portages. We send hundreds of them. A comfy rubber handle enclosing sturdy nylon webbing, all you have to do is fire in two screws and you've got a great grab-handle. These work for lots of other things, too. The dust collection bin in the CLC mill shop is fitted with Fancy Grab Handles, for example...

 

Bungie Cord
9. Bungie Cord - $0.60

Ladies and gentlemen, perhaps the least-sexy Top Ten winner of the year. But there you are:  we shipped almost a mile of bungie cord to kayak builders who use it for deck rigging and other chores. Here's a quick guide to kayak deck rigging

10. CLC Cap - $14.99

A bit of a surprise, but we won't argue with the computer.  Sartorial splendor is yours with these high-quality cotton caps.  Emblazoned with the original CLC logo.

CLC Caps

Almost made the Top Ten:

11. Drop-In Rowing Unit

12. Spoon Blade Oars

13. Kayak Toggles

14. Keepers Footbraces

15. Brass Cleats

16. Gift Certificates

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