Get a Grip Italian deck gear maker Antal’s two new QR clutches not only have high holding power—up to 3,500lb for the QR10 and 4,800lb for the QR12—they can be opened and released under maximum load, so there’s no longer any need to take up the strain on a winch before freeing a ...read more
Hits the SPOT The SPOT-X two-way satellite messenger is an economical way of staying connected to the outside world via text or e-mail when you’re at sea. As well as the messaging service, it has a distress function that not only alerts authorities if you’re in trouble, but lets ...read more
Stay Hooked Chain hooks on anchor snubber lines tend to fall off when you least want them to. Not so this latest example from Mantus. The M2 Chain Hook is secured to the chain by a simple elastic strap, so it won’t come off when the snubber loosens. Made from corrosion-resistant ...read more
Boot Camp Next to a dry bunk, dry feet are high on a sailor’s wish list. Look no further than Irish boating footwear specialists Dubarry, whose new Fastnet boot combines modern technology with old-school craftsmanship. The lightweight, unisex boot has a waterproof, breathable ...read more
For the past couple of decades, the digital side of sailing has become increasingly important, to the point where it’s now almost inconceivable going offshore, even aboard a daysailer, without at least a modicum of electronics onboard—a trend that has been very much in evidence ...read more
An accomplished sailor and writer, Kretschmer tells the poignant, yet relatable tale of a lifetime’s love of sailing in his new book Sailing to the Edge of Time. Beginning with his first fateful trip around Cape Horn in a 32ft sloop named Gigi, Kretschmer takes readers with him ...read more
Electronic SOS Slowly but surely the tide is turning away from the outdated pyrotechnic technology used in distress flares to new, less inflammatory alternatives. The latest electronic distress flare on the market is the Orion Electronic Beacon Locator Kit, a new venture from a ...read more
Be Smart Dealing with a heavy 50-amp shorepower cord can be like trying to wrangle a reluctant python—it goes everywhere except where you want it to, especially in cold weather. Smartplug’s new Superflex50 125/250V cable set puts an end to that. Unplug from the pedestal and the ...read more
Head Start Is there room for a new marine toilet? Albin Pump Marine thinks so, having just introduced its line of Swedish-built heads—ranging from compact to full-size models—to the American market. The toilets feature vitreous porcelain bowls and either wooden or thermoplastic ...read more
Brass Yacht Lamp Does someone on your gift list spend the whole winter missing the warm days on the water? Let them bring a little bit of nautical atmosphere home with this new lamp from Weems & Plath. The glass enclosure means the flame cannot be blown out even by ...read more
Sense the Wind B&G has launched a new line of wind sensors, including the WS320, a wireless system that is suitable for masts up to 80ft. Wireless wind sensor technology has been hit-and-miss, with some users reporting intermittent signal failure on tall rigs, but B&G, citing ...read more
Mary McKSchmidt’s new memoir tells the honest and impactful story of finding purpose through sailing and advocacy. As a young successful businesswoman, she was taught to sail by her soon-to-be-husband, Rubin. Not only that, but while she fell in love with the ...read more
Plug & Play Stereo It can be a real pain to install a marine stereo inside a boat, what with the tiresome business of running cables through cramped spaces and finding somewhere sensible to locate the speakers. The audiophiles at Fusion thought about this and came up with the ...read more
Block Party The elegance of these new X3M Flight blocks from Ubi Maior conceals the fact that they can handle loads of up to 15 tons. Designed to be used with a variety of textile loops, as fixed or snatch blocks, the X3M blocks have resin frames to carry the loops and anodized ...read more
Furl Power Are you afraid of flying—spinnakers, that is? Harken’s new Reflex 3 top-down furler will tame A-sails on monohulls from 44-58ft and multis from 39-55ft, and Code 0’s on 39-54ft monos and 36-50ft multis. All you do is heave on the furling line and the sail will roll up ...read more
For a long time, I really liked my old Tohatsu 3.5 outboard, smelly little two-stroke that it was, for its willing power and easy starting. Then it started to not want to start. Then, once started, it would run fine just long enough to get me a decent distance from the boat, ...read more
Block Party The elegance of these new X3M Flight blocks from Ubi Maior conceals the fact that they can handle loads of up to 15 tons. Designed to be used with a variety of textile loops, as fixed or snatch blocks, the X3M blocks have resin frames to carry the loops and anodized ...read more
Dock like a Pro If you’ve used electric bow thrusters, you’ll know you have to be careful not to overheat the motors. Not so with Vetus’s new Bow Pro thrusters. The innovative brushless motors generate much less heat, and combined with a new controller means almost unlimited ...read more
Short Yourself It’s not that easy to find a good pair of sailing shorts—the usual cotton cargo shorts tend to soak up salt and stay damp for ages—but Gill’s new FG12 Expedition Shorts look like the way ahead for savvy sailors. The stretchy softshell fabric is water-repellent and ...read more
CHECK THESE If you’re sailing with new crew this summer or your kids have suddenly and inexplicably started to look up from their phones and take an interest in the finer points of cruising, these Quick Reference Cards from Davis are a great way to further their boating ...read more
TOUCHSCREEN STEREO New Zealand audio specialists Fusion has introduced the first-ever marine stereo with a glass touchscreen display. The Apollo RA770 sets a high bar for boat entertainment systems; among a host of other features it has built-in WiFi streaming and features ...read more
COOL SLEEP You’re fast asleep in a snug anchorage, forehatch open to catch the breeze, when you’re rudely awakened by a sneaky rain squall. Now you’re not only awake and wet, you’re sweltering with the hatch closed. Sucks, right? That’s why ATN came up with the Dorcap, an ...read more
IN HOT WATER Sweden’s Albin Pump Marine has introduced its line of marine water heaters to the United States. Complete with 130V or 230V AC electric elements, the heaters can be plumbed into the engine cooling system. They feature ceramic-lined cylindrical tanks in 5, 8, 12 and ...read more
Doctor Your Sails If one of your sails gets a rip or the stitches start coming out, you want to repair it right away–especially if you’re just embarking on a cruise or are about to start a race. These nifty Sailkits from Dr. Sails contain enough sailcloth for a repair, along ...read more
