Friday, March 29

Browsing: Gear

Now, from the same people who brought you an over-the-top $25,000 one-person, carbon-fiber kayak with gold-plated fittings, comes a totally upscale stand-up paddleboard built to the same standards. Five years ago, New Zealand designers McLellan Jacobs (Jamie McLellan and Andy Jacobs, who both happen to be boaters) introduced Kayak 1, with the gold, carbon fiber and teak, at the Monaco yacht show. It was 12’10” long with a 2’7” beam and weighed only 40 pounds. Kayak 1, with its singular good looks, was an instant hit with the superyacht set. Some people ordered them with wooden inlays in the teak…

Garmin has just introduced the VIRB 360, a versatile, compact, waterproof, spherical 360-degree camera. It offers high-quality video up to 5.7K/30fps, it has four built-in microphones to capture sounds in all directions, and it comes with a 4K Spherical Stabilization to make your video look smooth and steady. And, taking advantage of its built-in GPS (this is Garmin, after all), the VIRB 360 provides custom data overlays for all its settings. “The VIRB 360 lets you relive personal experiences and share them with your friends – from a different point of view, every time,” says Garmin VP Dan Bartel. “VIRB…

How would one of these look on your wrist? This Bloomberg roundup of ten watches is timed for the America’s Cup, but it applies to cruising boat owners anywhere in the world. After all, even if you have redundant nav electronics on the lower and upper stations of your boat, plus a few handhelds scattered around, you still need to know what time it is. And what better way to find out that to glance at the Breguet Marine Equation Marchante 5887 (above left), from a company with a history going back to the French navy 200 years ago.…

Man overboard – every captain’s nightmare scenario, when seconds can mean the difference between life and death. The point, of course, is to locate the man overboard absolutely as quickly as possible and then start the recovery effort. Now three new high-tech systems make it possible to find that person faster and easier. Developed by a French start-up, the Sea-Tags MOB wristband alarm system starts with downloading a free app to all smartphones on board the boat to monitor the wristbands. When anyone wearing the wristband goes overboard and the wristband is submerged, the smartphones will sound an alarm and…

You probably won’t need this on your next trans-Atlantic, or in four-foot seas, but you’ve got to admit that the Aqua Lily Pad is a hoot. Roll it out the next time you’re anchored on a quiet cove and have some fun (and imagine the looks on the faces of the other people who’ve already anchored there). The Aqua Lily Pad floats as soon as you unroll it, so you don’t have to waste time inflating something. Then sit, walk, relax with a good book (or something to drink) and enjoy yourself. The 20-foot version costs $689, while the big-boy…

Do you worry about someone stealing your expensive electronics? You’re certainly not alone. Now there’s help to make them more secure, if not downright theft-proof. Take a look at the new E-LOCK from DuraSafe, which fits almost all bracket-mounted electronics. It’s easy to install, as you can see on the video below, and it gives you peace of mind when you’re not on the boat. The E-LOCK is made from marine-grade materials, has a dust cap and stainless seal to keep out dirt and moisture, and will fit most bracket-mounted Garmin, Raymarine, Humminbird, Standard Horizon, Icom, Uniden, Lowrance, Cobra and…

You probably won’t see this featured in the next issue of Architectural Digest, but it actually can make your life more comfortable around the dock. The new Waterside Lounger from Better Way Products is a lockable dock box that doubles as a love seat, giving you and a companion a comfortable spot to sit when you’re off the boat. Made from heavy-duty fiberglass with a UV-resistant exterior, the Waterside Lounger holds 14 cubic feet of storage inside. It also has the company’s EZ Drain system, gas lifts and stainless steel stays for easy opening, and large hinges. The external dimensions…

Side-Power just won a U.S. patent for its new curved Vector Fin stabilizer, according to IMTRA, the New Bedford, Mass., company that imports Side-Power products from Norway. The new Vector Fin has a curved foil design that greatly reduces roll at any speed while offering greater fuel efficiency. The unique, patent-winning curve of Side-Power’s Vector Fin is an evolution of traditional stabilizers. The company says it greatly increases the efficiency of the stabilizer system while reducing any side-effects. The curved design creates lift at speed, meaning the boat can be as fuel efficient with the stabilizers as it would be…

This is a hoot. First off, the waterproof purse is a great idea. It’s large enough to hold a woman’s phone, sunglasses and wallet, etc., but it also floats. No more worries about things falling overboard or getting wet. But then the video is great, particularly the music. Take a look/listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pH0831FDIX8&utm_source=MANTUS+ANCHORS+ADDS&utm_campaign=9506b36e1c-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2017_03_06&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_b290768734-9506b36e1c-100618365

If you want to keep cool on your boat but don’t have room for an air conditioning system, or a lot of extra room, period, take a look at these new compact, self-contained air handling units from Webasto that don’t take up a lot of space. They’re all designed for a small footprint so you can install them almost anywhere. All three units are in the company’s BlueCool A-Series. The Compact Unit puts out from 4,000 to 36,000 BTU/hour and is meant for universal installation. The Low Profile unit delivers from 6,000 to 18,000 BTU/hour and is designed for horizontal…

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