Product Reviews - Small Boats Magazine

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November 2024

The Ronstan Battlestick

An easy-on-easy-off tiller extension

Tiller extensions are not just for high-performance sailboats. This easily fitted example comes in a wide range of lengths and can be used in a variety of boat types.

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November 2024

Jorgensen’s 60-1/2 Block Plane

A new adjustable-mouth low-angle block plane

This adjustable-mouth low-angle block plane is affordable, of good quality, simple, and reliable, making it a must-have tool in a woodworker’s shop.

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October 2024

A Compact Collapsible Shelter

Pankay’s Pop Up Privacy Tent

This compact collapsible shelter provides privacy for changing clothes or using a portable head as well as protection from wind and rain ashore or afloat.

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October 2024

Victorinox Paring Knives

Stainless-steel knives for boat and home

They were designed for the kitchen, but these Swiss-made knives—sharp, durable, and affordable—can be used anywhere.

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September 2024

DeWalt Multi-Tool

A cordless oscillating tool for cutting, grinding, and sanding

Oscillating tools can do quick work in tight quarters and the Atomic 20-volt multi-tool is cordless and can go almost anywhere.

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September 2024

The EasyBailer

An automatic bilge pump for small boats

The plans and detailed assembly instructions for the EasyBailer direct a do-it-yourselfer through making a solar-powered automatic bilge pump for a small boat.

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August 2024

Airflo Sun Hat

Tilley's ever-evolving adventure hat

Named for its founder, sailor Alex Tilley, the Tilley line of hats has been around for more than 40 years. The Airflow Sun Hat blocks the sun while letting a cooling breeze flow through.

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August 2024

Teak-Nu

Restoring weathered teak

The Snappy Teak-Nu system restores weather-faded or discolored teak to its original color and protects it.

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July 2024

Taku Essential Jacket

A waterproof and breathable jacket kept simple

Mustang’s jacket for inshore and coastal use provides waterproof comfort without the addition of more features than you may really need.

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July 2024

Paddle Pump

A space-saving innovation for small boats

Designed by seaplane pilots, the Paddle Pump is a space-saving innovation that serves two purposes vital to small-boat users: propelling the boat and dewatering the bilge.

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June 2024

Maptattoo

A glare-free GPS for small boats

The Maptattoo marine GPS was designed by and for small-boat users. Its glare-free screen can be read in any light, its battery is long-lasting, and it can be operated in rain and spray.

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June 2024

Boat Cover Batten Sockets

Cast-bronze fittings bring stability to cover battens

An innovative piece of hardware sits in standard oarlock plates to create a stable bracket for anchoring batten supports for small-boat covers.

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May 2024

Zero-Flute Countersinks

Smooth countersinking and deburring

These precision-machined bits make clean, chatter-free work across a range of materials.

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May 2024

An Inflatable Fender/Roller

A versatile inflatable fender from Aeré

Aeré’s sturdy inflatable fender is a versatile piece of small-boat equipment that can also serve as a beach roller, a seat cushion, and a bed pillow. And it packs down for easy stowage.

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April 2024

3M Stikit Hand Block

An ergonomic sanding block for Stikit sandpaper

Sanding by hand can lead to aching fingers but the ergonomic foam hand blocks from 3M with made-to-measure self-adhesive paper relieve most of the aches and pains.

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April 2024

Car-Door Steps

A leg up to roof racks

Even the tallest among us can struggle when handling boats and gear on a car roof; a car-door step introduces some useful extra height to extend reach.

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March 2024

TripTips Retractable Portable Toilet

An easier way to pack out waste

Packing-out waste from campsites is essential but not always easy in small boats. The Retractable Portable Toilet packs small, weighs little, and keeps campsites unspoiled.

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March 2024

A Duckbill for a Push Pole

A push-pole attachment for muddy shallows

In shoal waters, push poles are important tools, but many can get stuck in the muck. The Duckbill Attachment opens wide to limit sinking, then folds to afford easy retrieval.

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February 2024

The ShelterTube Garage

ShelterLogic's cost-effective option for small-boat storage

Strong, stable, and spacious, the ShelterTube Garage is an excellent shelter solution when you have more boats than covered space to store them.

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February 2024

A 10×42 Waterproof Monocular

A lightweight optical device from Orion for viewing objects near and far

The Orion 10 x 42 monocular is a handy and compact optical device capable of focusing objects as distant as the moon and as close as an arm’s length away.

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January 2024

Compact Electric Air Pumps

Exorux 3-in-1 Solar Portable Air Pump and Flextail Tiny Pump 2X

At the end of a long day of cruising, blowing up an air mattress can seem a daunting task. The portable air pumps from Flextail and Exorux do the job with little effort.

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January 2024

Eversprout Telescoping Boathook

An extendable pole and hook for a greater reach

A full-length boathook is impractical on a small boat, and telescoping alternatives are not always the most reliable. The Eversprout pole is stable, strong, and serves its purpose well.

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December 2023

Nor’wester

A traditional sou’wester from the Pacific Northwest

The Nor’wester from Best Coast Canvas keeps your head dry and warm and might have stepped out of a 19th-century Winslow Homer painting.

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November 2023

XPL Oars

Carbon-fiber sectional oars from Duckworks

The stout but feather-light carbon-fiber oars from Duckworks not only make rowing easier but also can be separated into sections to take up much less room when stowed.

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