Product Reviews - Small Boats Magazine

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May 2025

Melbourne Tool Company Spokeshave

Quality design in an old favorite

Well-made traditional spokeshaves were once ubiquitous, but now are hard to find. The new spokeshaves from Melbourne Tool Company find a sweet spot, combining old-fashioned quality with modern upgrades.

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May 2025

Omnia Oven

Baking in the backcountry

When you think camp-cruising, you probably don’t imagine fresh-baked bread. But with the compact and lightweight stovetop Omnia oven, bread, cookies, and even a well-stuffed calzone are all possible.

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April 2025

SLO Covers and Bags

Quality covers for small boats

Protecting boats from the weather—both rain and sunshine—prolongs their finishes and reduces maintenance needs. Bundling sails and spars together helps keep them organized and makes it easier to carry them. SLO Sail and Canvas makes good-quality, well-fitting covers and bags in durable materials.

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April 2025

Jorgensen Corner Easing Plane

A compact plane for rounding edges

Smooth and rounded edges are important on boats. The compact Jorgensen Corner Easing Plane helps to achieve them.

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March 2025

DEWALT DCS334

A cordless variable-speed jigsaw

Cordless power tools have many advantages over their corded counterparts, but being cordless shouldn’t compromise their performance. The DeWalt DCS334 jigsaw delivers precision cuts, long-lasting power, and excellent operator control.

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March 2025

Preval Sprayer

A compact aerosol sprayer for use with paint and varnish

Applying finishes to small or hard-to reach areas can be frustrating, but the aerosol-powered Preval Sprayer makes such jobs easy, producing less waste with quick cleanup.

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February 2025

Mustang Survival Quadra Dry Suit

A dry suit with innovative design and impressive performance

Extending your boating into colder seasons requires some specialized gear to keep you safe and warm. For a small-boat user, a dry suit is a worthwhile investment and Mustang’s new Quadra offers top-notch materials and workmanship.

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February 2025

NEBO Omni 2K Work Light

A compact cordless lamp

When working on boats or in the workshop, good lighting is invaluable. The Omni 2K from NEBO is cordless, can be used freestanding or handheld, and its light can be directed through 360 degrees.

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January 2025

RTIC Road Trip Travel Mug

An old favorite gets a new upgrade

A new version of an old favorite, the RTIC travel mug is rugged, keeps drinks hot or cold, and has a ceramic lining so there’s no metallic taste.

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January 2025

The C-Monsta

A hanger for drying neoprene gear

Made of recycled, high-impact plastic, the C-Monsta is a purpose-built and highly practical hanger for drying neoprene gear.

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December 2024

Cleaning Sails

Nature’s Miracle and Folex tackle tough stains

When mice invade sail bags, the damage caused is extraordinary. Nature’s Miracle Urine Destroyer Plus and Folex Instant Carpet Spot Remover work on the stains with impressive results.

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December 2024

Hooway 7×50 Marine Binoculars

Affordable binoculars that float

These affordable binoculars come with a compass and rangefinder, and they’re waterproof and float—a clear advantage for use on a small boat.

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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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