While you're freshening up old navigation skills, freshen up the mustier reaches of your boat -- chain locker, lazarette -- with a Mid Profile Mushroom Vent ($84.00; Mariners Hardware, 707-765-0880, www.marinershardware.com).

The deck plate fastens directly to the deck, and when wet conditions impend, a screw dog draws down the cap to seat on a rubber seal.

Cast in type 316 stainless steel and polished to a star-reflecting gleam, this vent both airs out the interior and graces the exterior of any boat to which it's fitted.