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
Dock like a ProIf 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
IN HOT WATERSweden’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
SHARK BITEIf there’s one thing that ruins a great day on the water, it’s a fouled propeller. At best it’ll hold you up while you take an icy swim to free your prop; at worst, your running gear could be badly damaged. Wise cruisers guard against such scenarios by installing a line ...read more
SILENT RUNNERSAlternative-fuel outboards are gaining ground, thanks to the problems with ethanol-spiked gasoline. An innovative new range of lithium ion battery-powered electric motors from Hong Kong-based Epropulsion has just arrived in the United States. The Lagoon is a clever ...read more
Silent RunnerTorqeedo may be the first word that enters your mind when someone says “electric outboard,” but that may change if the EP Carry meets with similar success. This compact unit weighs just 20lb yet can push a 9ft inflatable at close to 4 knots. Power—said to be equal to ...read more
Gassing it UpTired of ethanol-induced fuel issues? Say goodbye to gasoline. Japanese outboard maker Tohatsu has introduced an LPG-powered 5hp kicker that hooks up to a propane tank for hours of stress-free running. Available in short-, long- or ultra-long-shaft versions, the ...read more
Power PodHydrogenerators are an increasingly common addition to bluewater cruising boats, but for all their benefits many sailors don’t like to mount them on the transom, where they may interfere with self-steering gear or drop-down transom platforms. Instead, Watt & Sea’s new ...read more
If you’ve never heard of Ubi Maior, check out the equipment list of Emirates Team New Zealand’s Cup-winning catamaran and you’ll see the name there. The highly regarded Italian sailing hardware company is new to the U.S. market and one of its signature products is the Jiber, a ...read more
I hadn’t long been sailing before I realized that being a slave to wheel or tiller wasn’t for me. Much as I enjoy steering a boat, doing so for hours on end becomes tedious and tiring. I’ve done many hard coastal and bluewater miles hand-steering when an autopilot or windvane ...read more
By installing a Nautic Alert Decision Platform onboard you will, in essence, have a tireless mate who constantly minds the bilge, manages the pumps intelligently, and lets you know what’s happening, whether you’re in the cockpit or ashore. The Nevada ultrasonic sensor/controller ...read more
Flexofold’s newest two-blade saildrive propeller includes a number of technically interesting features that serve to set it apart from the competition. First and foremost, its patented hub is fabricated using a thermo-hardened polyurethane that electrically isolates the propeller ...read more
While there are a number of potable water filtration systems available, Forespar’s PureWater+ will be particularly useful in the compact galleys found on many modern boats where the countertop is almost completely taken up by a stove, reefer access and a sink. The reason for this ...read more
A recognized leader in the area of electric yacht propulsion, Torqeedo has captured the market’s attention with the new pod motors used in its Cruise 2.0/4.0/10.0 saildrives, and especially with the modified Cruise 4.0 used in Hanse’s innovative E-Motion Rudder Drive. The three ...read more
No one worries more about what’s really inside their water and fuel tanks than a dedicated cruiser on the go. On many boats tank inspection ports are an afterthought, but thanks to Dutch marine-systems specialist Vetus, that should soon be changing. Vetus’s new universal ...read more
The Weego 44 portable jump-starter is easy-to-use, safe and reliable, and packs enough power to start 3.2 liter diesel engine. The Weego 44’s new, patent-pending “Smarty Clamps” have a rear hinge point and open much wider than traditional clamps, making it easier to connect the ...read more
Smooth OperatorThe Hi-Speed line of folding propellers from EWOL is for boats that sail fast, whether you do it with two hulls or one. The propellers are designed to keep their center of thrust aft and thus create a “fin effect” that keeps the propeller in a feathered position in ...read more
Dimmable LED Retrofit The Imtra Sigma PowerLED is a dimmable surface-mount light fixture that makes it easier than ever to swap out your old dimmable halogen systems for more robust and energy efficient LEDs. Sigma PowerLEDs can be easily fitted to most existing fixture locations ...read more
There are many different aspects to safety afloat, including having the necessary tools to deal with emergencies when they happen, and being able to call for help when all else fails McMurdo Personal Locator BeaconFloating VHF RadiosrescueME PLB1SailfuseSta-Plug Form-Fitting ...read more
Wave-powered Bilge Pump Tired of returning to your dinghy or daysailer after a heavy rain to find it filled with water? Let the Swedish-made Drainman (or Länsman, as it’s called by its Swedish manufacturer) take care of the problem for you. To use, simply insert the Drainman in ...read more
Stylish Racing JacketTake off for your next wet and wild ride on the ocean in Gill’s OC1 Racer Jacket, which will keep you warm and dry with its waterproof, three-layer laminated fabric, fully taped seams, and SuperFabric protection that guards against spray and wear and tear. ...read more
All-Weather JacketFeaturing a waterproof breathable nylon shell with taped seams, a Primaloft insulating layer, reflective piping and an elastic waistband, the Atlantis WeatherGear Challenger jacket is equally suitable for cruising, PHRF racing or a walk in the woods. A raised ...read more
Modular Rogue BackpackHarken’s waterproof Rogue backpack is constructed from thermoplastic polyurethane-impregnated nylon, which resists abrasion, stains and UV. A modular “system,” it includes a detachable waterproof waist pouch and a padded laptop sleeve, which works equally ...read more
Apparel JunkieFirst came the sails. Then came the belts and hats. Now North Sails is offering a limited edition “collection,” which is as fashionable as it is functional, and includes everything from windbreakers and sweat-wicking “tech shirts” to button-down dress shirts, towels ...read more