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
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
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
WATCH THIS If you’re in the market for a high-end sailing timepiece with a few tricks up its electronic sleeve, the Breitling Exospace B55 Yachting belongs on your wrist. Not only does it tell the time with uncanny precision, it is equipped with a race timer system that has a ...read more
Heavy Duty Jacket Musto’s new MPX Pro Offshore Jacket features the same waterproof, breathable three-layer Gore-Tex fabric as its predecessors, but weighs 15 percent less. Changes to the hood make it easier to adjust and the fleece-lined collar and hood pod provide both warmth ...read more
Just because you’re not planning on braving the Southern Ocean this summer doesn’t mean that you won’t have some dicey days out on the water. If you haven’t got the right gear, a little rain or humidity can make things miserable. As with all safety equipment, “it’s always better ...read more
What SUP? Dinghies and kayaks are all very well, but there’s nothing like a stand-up paddleboard for exploring interesting new shorelines while giving you a good workout. Sea Eagle’s HB96 inflatable SUP makes a fine addition to your boat’s armory of anchorage toys, either on its ...read more
Just for Kicks Move over Crocs, there’s a new plastic shoe in town. Unlike the aforementioned fashion crimes, Tucket Footwear’s Giller shoes are made for boating. Water will get in, yes, but it will also run straight out again via rows of “scuppers” in the uppers and a dozen ...read more
Robert Reeder is a seamanship instructor for a series of online courses through Boaters University. His course, Fundamentals of Seamanship: Rules of the Road, is a great way to get a full understanding of how to interpret the USCG rules of the road and how to apply the rules in ...read more
THROW SOME SHADE Among the many virtues of cruising cats is the large expanse of netting between their bows, which is the ideal place to hang out with a cold one after a hard day’s sailing and let the breeze blow your worries away. Only trouble is it can get a bit hot up there ...read more
Get Down Gill’s new Hydrophobe jacket and vest feature a water-repellent outer shell packed with water-resistant duck down. Not only are they warm and windproof, they’ll also stand up to spray. Gill says these are the first down jackets to be designed specifically for the marine ...read more
KEEP YOUR COOL Hard coolers can be awkward to carry and stow on a boat, whereas a soft cooler like the Yeti Hopper Two won’t scuff up your woodwork and can be easily stowed out of the way between uses. The coolers, available in three sizes, feature closed-cell rubber foam ...read more
FEEL THE VIRB Garmin has followed up its waterproof VIRB camera with the VIRB 360, a seriously cool-looking piece of gear that will transform your sailing videos. Lenses front and back capture a full 360 degree view of the surroundings, which is then stitched together by the ...read more
HANGIN’ ON A good hammock should never be ignored, whether you’re strapping it between a pair of palm trees after dinghying ashore or letting it rock you to sleep after you’ve strung it between your mast and forestay. Beyond that, if it’s just for you, that’s great. However, if ...read more
NOT JUST FOR KICKS You know it’s time for new deck shoes when 1) your feet start to slip on board and 2) even the dog gives them a wide berth. Sperry’s new 7 Seas line could bring you back into Rover’s good graces and keep you secure on deck too. The four distinct styles all ...read more
KEEPING THE PIECE While two-piece bathing suits are an easy go-to, a one-piece bathing suit that you can swim, dive, surf or paddle in is a necessity when you are engaging in outdoor water activities where losing your top is not an option. Patagonia’s one-piece Kupala swimsuit ...read more
Ocean Reef Aria In Mexico recently I noticed a guy snorkeling with the coolest mask and snorkel combination I’ve ever seen. It was the Aria from the Italian-based Ocean Reef Group. The mask has a unique design that allows divers to escape almost every negative aspect of the ...read more
When it first came out twenty-six years ago The Art and Science of Sails immediately established itself as the preeminent text on how sails are made and work, covering the length and breadth of modern-day sailmaking—including the latest on sail design and engineering, as well as ...read more
Back in 2010 one of the many gadgets Jimmy Spithill employed aboard his enormous Cup-winning BMW Oracle trimaran was a sunglasses-mounted heads-up display, a la “Top Gun.” Now this once gee-whiz technology is not only available to the masses at an affordable price point, but can ...read more
Many cruisers like the idea of carrying scuba gear, both for underwater exploration and underwater repair and maintenance jobs, but are thwarted by the expense and sheer bulk of the equipment involved. Now the folks at Mantus Anchors have shattered that barrier with a new ...read more
Time Keeper Designed by a sailor with a love of maritime traditions and history, this clock and weather instrument combo, made of PVD coated stainless steel, will grace any home. With six different gift sets to choose from, you will be sure to find a top-quality and affordable ...read more
Looking for a gift for the sailor in your life? We have compiled a list of gifts that will keep them warm, dry, and looking good. Kids’ Terra System Croakies The Kids’ Terra System Croakies aren’t only adorable, they are also adjustable and interchangeable. Made in the U.S.A. ...read more
Onyx Belt Pack Life Jacket Wearing a lifejacket while cruising is just plain smart. Double that when you’re offshore or cruising shorthanded. But let’s face it—PFDs, no matter how sleek or new or lightweight, are bulky and annoying. That’s where the Belt Pack Life Jacket from ...read more
Garmin quatix 3 Smart watches seem to be all the rage these days, monitoring how many steps you take (or don’t), allowing you to watch cat videos on the go, all kinds of useful things. But when it comes to marine smart- watches, most of them are actually pretty damn handy, and ...read more