Gear

New High-Tech Man Overboard Systems Can Keep Your Crew Safe

By Peter Janssen on May 3, 2017 Cruising Life, Gear

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…

Looking for Something New? Try the Aqua Lily Pad

By Peter Janssen on April 5, 2017 Cruising Life, Gear

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…

Protect Your Electronics from Theft with E-LOCK

By Peter Janssen on March 20, 2017 Gear

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…

A Dock Box Built for Two

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

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…

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

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