Gear

New Curved Side-Power Vector Fin Stabilizer Gets U.S. Patent

By Peter Janssen on March 15, 2017 Cruising Life, Gear

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…

New Purse from Mantus that Floats: See Video

By Peter Janssen on March 8, 2017 Cruising Life, Gear

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

New Compact Cool Air Handling Systems from Webasto Fit Almost Anywhere

By Peter Janssen on February 13, 2017 Gear

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…

New Award-Winning All-Purpose Tool from Davis Instruments

By Peter Janssen on February 8, 2017 Gear

It isn’t pretty, but this new all-purpose tool from Davis Instruments is certainly something that almost everybody could use on board. And it’s a prize-winner too. In fact, the Snap Tool Multi-Key was the Grand Prize winner at the recent Fisheries Supply Company innovations award ceremony; it also won the top maintenance award, beating out more than 100 other products. The Snap Tool Multi-Key is made with hardened steel and it manages to pack a lot of must-have tools into one package. It comes with a shackle and two deck-plate keys, a button snapper and un-snapper (save your fingernails), and…

A New Compact Fiberglass V-Bottom RIB that Folds Up

By Peter Janssen on January 23, 2017 Gear

It’s hardly news that space in most cruising boats is tight, and room to store a dinghy is at a premium. And then, where do you keep it? On deck, on the swim platform, on an upper boat deck with a crane, towed behind the boat? The new F-RIBs from Foldablerib in Southampton, England, solve all that. They make five models of folding RIBS, all with fiberglass deep-V bottoms, from nine to 15 feet. The nine-foot F-RIB 275, shown above, weighs just 79 pounds and packs away in a bag that measures 2’10” x 3’ x 1’6.” Just stow…

Head Problems: How To Fix Them; How To Prevent Them

By Peter Janssen on January 12, 2017 Gear

Almost all older boats, and many boats on the brokerage market, have manual heads. It’s every boat owner’s nightmare, of course, to have a problem with the head, particularly when you’re on a cruise. We’ve all probably tried to fix a clogged or broken head, often with mixed results. Here’s about the best and easiest-to-follow instruction about how to fix a problem with your head: http://blog.boattrader.com/2017/01/troubleshooting-manual-marine-head.html

More Great Boating Gift Ideas for Christmas – and Beyond

By Peter Janssen on December 7, 2016 Cruising Life, Gear

Now here’s an appealing Christmas gift guide that I really like. It has just about everything a cruising boat owner could want, including multifunction tools, hand warmers, foul-weather gear, wooden charts (these are very cool), SPOT Satellite Messenger (a great safety device), a drone, and even information on booking a charter if you really want to get away from it all. And if Santa doesn’t bring you everything on this list, save it and keep it for next spring when you make your first trip down to the chandlery. Take a look: http://blog.dockwa.com/christmas-gift-guide-for-sailors-and-boaters?utm_campaign=Blog+Subscribers&utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&utm_content=38810354&_hsenc=p2ANqtz–KK9ScHXEmuZFs7mtbDSw-4L6a4x328OYmweH3riQybuFomHwIqZXEji9BjUwW1snaUftG-bsrQ68575YEviouxXKEmA&_hsmi=38810354

A New Entry: Williams Minijet Tender Off to a Good Start

By Peter Janssen on November 29, 2016 Gear

If you’re looking for a new tender or RIB or just another boat to zip around in, the new Williams Minijet 280 may be just the thing. Designed for cruising boats under 45 feet, the new, compact Minijet 280 is only 9’2″ long, with a beam of 5’1′. It’s relatively light, weighing only 460 pounds. The real distinction, of course is that it is powered by a 45-hp BRP Rotax Ace 900 jet engine. There’s no outboard to put on and take off every time you launch it; no prop to worry about, a major safety advantage. The Minijet 280…

Can This Buoyant Glow-in-the-Dark Rope Save Your Life?

By Peter Janssen on November 25, 2016 Gear

Now here’s something truly new: Buoyant rope that glows in the dark. A man overboard at night? With this rope, which comes in yellow, orange, pink and green, at least you – and the man overboard – will be able to see the lifebuoy or whatever else you’re throwing his way. Called Night Saver Rope, it’s supposed to be 10 times stronger than standard buoyant rope. Certainly worth a second look: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/glow-in-the-dark-rope-a-lifesaver-at-sea-halifax-maker-says/article33022968/

SEABOB: Swim Like a Fish, Over and Under the Water

By Peter Janssen on November 22, 2016 Gear

Take a look at the new SEABOB, which I just saw in action at the Fort Lauderdale show. It’s not complicated, it’s not salty, it’s simply fun. SEABOB basically is an electric-powered, jet-propelled water sled or scooter that lets you glide on top of the waves at up to nine mph or dive underwater like a fish. The basic SEABOB, the F5, is easy to handle; you steer by shifting your weight. It has two control grips and you just squeeze the trigger to keep going. This SEABOB weighs only 64 pounds and you pick it up with a…

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