Gear

Williams Gives More Power, Stability to Popular MiniJet 280 Tender

By Peter Janssen on March 7, 2018 Cruising Life, Gear

The popular Williams MiniJet 280 tender just got a power boost. From now on, the 9’ 2” tender will come with a 50-hp Rotax Ace engine to give it faster acceleration and better handling, even when it’s loaded with passengers. Existing MiniJet owners can get an upgrade kit if they want to move up from their 45-hp engine. The new version comes with a new dash cluster and a new set of sponsons for better stability. Designed for owners of boats from 38 to 45 feet (and anyone else who wants one), the MiniJet 280 is the smallest in Williams’…

PowerDocks Win Innovation Award for First Docks That Generate Renewable Power

By Peter Janssen on March 7, 2018 Cruising Life, Gear

PowerDocks, the first docks that generate renewable power for boats, just won an Innovation Award at the Miami International Boat Show. PowerDocks make the first floating solar dock with walkable non-skid solar modules for energy storage and power distribution; they can provide renewable electrical power to boaters in remote areas or those who want to operate off the grid. The Innovation Award was made by the National Marine Manufacturers Association and Boating Writers International during the show. PowerDocks also were featured at the show’s first Solar Electric Power Zone, where they were hooked up with a Bruce 22T electric-powered boat…

Argos Nautic to Launch New 11-foot Semi-Custom RIB at Miami Yacht Show

By Peter Janssen on January 31, 2018 Cruising Life, Gear

Argos Nautic will unveil its new 11-foot semi-custom tender called the 330 JET at the Miami Yacht Show on Collins Avenue starting Feb. 15. Powered by a Textron 850 MPE intercooled, turbocharged, four-stroke engine, the new RIB tops out at 48 mph. The new 11-footer is the smallest of the Miami-based company’s three models, which go up to 13’ 6.” With a beam of 5’ 8” and weighing only 750 pounds fully rigged, the 330 JET is designed to fit into many cruising boats’ garages. It has a built-in, 10-gallon fuel tank, and lots of storage for luggage, coolers and…

Seakeeper Gets More and More Popular, Expands Production. See Videos of Its Gyro Stabilizers in Action

By Peter Janssen on January 31, 2018 Cruising Life, Engine Room, Gear

Seakeeper is on a roll. Well, that’s a terrible misstatement. Actually, Seakeeper reduces rolling on recreational boats by 80 to 90 percent. It makes boating fun again for many, many people who don’t want to roll from side to side while underway or at anchor. It’s the Seakeeper company that’s on a roll. Indeed, Seakeeper is a modern success story, finding new owners across many diverse boat lines and making more and more gyro stabilizers each year. In fact, Seakeeper is going to increase its capacity so it can produce 6,000 new gyros in its factory in Mohnton, PA this…

Fun New Ceclo from France: 5 Knots under Electric Power

By Peter Janssen on January 16, 2018 Cruising Life, Gear

If you’re thinking about a new water toy to put on your dock next to your cruising boat, take a look at the innovative (and relaxing) Ceclo from France. You won’t want to take this out in 10-foot seas, but for a quiet afternoon or evening around your harbor or lagoon, the Ceclo offers something new and fun. And you probably won’t see too many others like it. Made in France, the Ceclo is an electric-powered pedal boat, meaning you can pedal all day if you want, or if you want to take it easy, turn on the electric motor…

Besenzoni Introduces Three Versions of New User-Friendly, Prize-Winning Helm Chair

By Peter Janssen on January 16, 2018 Cruising Life, Gear

Besenzoni, the large Italian marine accessories company, just won a prestigious DAME Design Award at the METSTRADE show in Amsterdam for its new, futuristic helm chair two months ago. Now, it’s introducing three versions of the chair, that seem to do everything except actually drive the boat, at the huge Boot Dusseldorf show opening this weekend. The Besenzoni chair, called the P400 Matrix, is being shown in Prestige, Comfort and Offshore versions, with various levels of luxury, comfort and movement. The innovative Matrix comes with an adjustable headrest, armrests and automatic support for your back. You can raise or lower…

For Your Next Raft-Up: The Aqua Beach Wave Floating Party Mat

By Peter Janssen on January 9, 2018 Cruising Life, Gear

This doesn’t really bring up visions of Joshua Slocum or bashing ‘round the Horn, but it could add a bit of spice to your local raft-up next summer. It’s the Aqua Beach Wave Floating Party Mat, and it could bring some fun after you tie up in the calm waters of a quiet cove. The Floating Party Mat is different. It’s made with soft, durable cross-link foam so it won’t tear, and it has four cup holders (need we say more). It has mooring lines and hook-and-loop straps to keep you floating in one spot, and it has Velcro straps…

Worried about Losing Your Electronics While Offshore? Try a Davis Sextant

By Peter Janssen on January 7, 2018 Cruising Life, Electronics, Gear

Even with all our electronics, sextants – dating to 1759 – are making a comeback. The Navy, for example, has reinstituted its celestial navigation and sextant training because of fears about jammed GPS satellite signals. Whether you’re on a warship or a 65-foot blue-water cruiser, if you lose your electronics, for whatever reason, in the middle of the ocean, it certainly would help to have at least a working knowledge of celestial and a sextant. As Davis Instruments points out, with a wristwatch, a copy of The Nautical Almanac and a chart, you could find your way back home using…

Battery Chargers: How To Choose the Best One for Your Boat

By Peter Janssen on January 1, 2018 Cruising Life, Engine Room, Gear

Regardless of the size or quality of your boat, or the number of nautical miles you have under your belt, you’re not going anywhere if your battery is dead. A good battery charger can make sure your battery is charged and healthy and is ready to go. This is particularly an issue if you’re not using the boat frequently. But which battery charger do you need, and then where do you install it on your vessel? Here’s a great story to answer those questions from Boating World. First off, make sure the charger has enough options and features to insure…

Ezibuoy: A New Magnetic System To Help Pick Up Your Mooring

By Peter Janssen on December 29, 2017 Cruising Life, Gear

If you have a new or inexperienced crew, picking up your mooring at the end of the day can cause enough angst to cast a pall over even the best day on the water. And if the water’s choppy or there’s a strong wind or current, the mooring process can produce some extra tension that nobody needs. Now, there’s a new, simple and low-cost system to make this much easier, no matter who’s on board. The new system is called Ezibuoy, and it basically involves a small float with a magnet on top that’s tethered to your main mooring buoy,…

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