As everyone knows, zippers occasionally stick.

We are talking about boat zippers of course, the ones on cockpit cushions, canvas covers and bags, especially those with metal slides and plastic teeth.

When stuck happens, don't yank. Instead, douse a rag with white vinegar, wrap it around the slide and hold tight for a while. Then, wiggle the zipper. The natural solvents should do their work and dissolve the corrosion that caused the stick.

To avoid sticking zippers, try a little wax or light lubricant. Believe it or not, there are actually zipper-specific products out there. We were curious, so we called. YKK sent us two of their ZippyCool products: a two-ounce bottled lube with attached brush and a retractable stick of wax that resembles a Glue Stick. They probably work well.

But with online prices varying between $10 and $15 for bottle and stick together, we'll probably un-stick with the stuff we have on the boat.

– Theodore J. Sawchuck