Product Reviews

5

May 2026

Kutzall Rasps

Wood rasps with tungsten-carbide teeth

The rasp has been around for centuries, and many of today’s examples would be familiar to woodworkers hundreds of years ago. Christopher Cunningham reviews the tungsten-carbide, omni-directional cutting rasps from Kutzall—a new development in the history of this humble tool.

3

May 2026

Titan 17007 Pry Bar and Scraper Set

A trio of stainless-steel pry-bar scrapers

Pry bars small enough to get into tight spaces but strong enough to be useful are not easy to come by. Even harder to find are pry bars with sharp scraper ends. Audrey and Kent Lewis review a set of three from Titan.

3

April 2026

Navilight Dinghy Complete Lights

Small-boat navigation lights kit from Navisafe

Boats under 23′ without motorized auxiliary power are not required to carry navigation lights other than a visible white light when needed. But, wanting to extend his cruising opportunities safely into the dark hours, James Kealey invested in a complete kit of navigation lights from Navisafe.

2

April 2026

Elegantly Warm

Engel’s merino-silk thermal base layers

Cold-weather clothing can be bulky and uncomfortable. Jane Crosen reviews merino-silk base-layer garments from Engel that are close-fitting, warm, and breathable.

3

March 2026

Leatherhead Kneepads

Comfort and protection for working knees

When you’re working on small boats, you often have to kneel on unforgiving surfaces, which is hard on the knees. Christopher Cunningham reviews his favorite kneepads from Troxell; the Leatherhead Kneepads are foam-padded, faux-leather protected, and adjustable to fit all adult sizes.

3

March 2026

Load Straps from Malone Auto Racks

Webbing tie-down straps for small boats on trailers

Tying down boats to trailers using ropes isn’t always the easiest or the best solution. Audrey and Kent Lewis recommend the Load Straps from Malone Auto Racks as a strong, convenient, and more boat-friendly alternative.

4

February 2026

Automatic Vacuum Switches

Practical solutions for workshop dust collection

To avoid the unhealthy effects of airborne wood dust in his workshop, Christopher Cunningham uses automatic switches that turn his dust collector and shop vacuum on and off whenever his woodworking machines are in use.

3

February 2026

Silver Ridge Pants

Moisture-wicking convertible pants from Columbia Sportswear

The convertible Silver Ridge pants from Columbia Sportswear are fast-drying, sun-blocking, relaxed-fit pants that can be worn full-length or as above-the-knee shorts. Audrey and Kent Lewis find them ideal for their three-season boating.

5

January 2026

Gas Growler 3.8

A compact refillable propane tank

Single-use pressurized fuel canisters are ideal for camp-cruising but typically can neither be refilled nor easily disposed of. Christopher Cunningham reviews a new refillable small tank from Ignik.

5

January 2026

Shackleton’s Boat Journey

A story of survival

Frank Worsley’s account of his voyage from Elephant Island to South Georgia, with Sir Ernest Shackleton and four other crew members from the ill-fated ENDEAVOUR, is as exciting and remarkable today as it was when first published in 1933.

3

December 2025

Ankle Deck Boots

Comfortable waterproof short boots from Xtratuf

Boots that are waterproof, sturdy, and comfortable are not easy to find, but Xtratuf has managed to combine all three elements in the Ankle Deck Boots for men, women, and kids.

4

December 2025

DeWalt Dry Hand Vacuum

A convenient cordless vacuum for the shop

A reliable vacuum with good suction is a must in any busy workshop. The DeWalt cordless vacuum is powerful but small enough to be used in tight spaces and light enough to be carried on a belt hook.

4

November 2025

Canvas Oar Bag

A protective carrier for well-loved oars

Carrying oars is often awkward and keeping them safe from damage when on land is never easy, but the Canvas Oar Bag solves both problems at once, creating a well-balanced load within a durable cover.

3

November 2025

NRS Deluxe Boat Sponge

A boat sponge with a difference

A sponge within a terry-cloth cover, the NRS Deluxe Boat Sponge is good at picking up water, grit, and bits of debris.

3

October 2025

Wooster Shortcut Brush

An inexpensive short-handled brush

The Wooster Paintbrush Company has been in business since 1851. In 1999 they introduced the Shortcut, a synthetic-bristle brush with a short flexible handle and suitable for all paint types.

4

October 2025

Cressi’s Minorca Shorty Boots

Neoprene booties with style, comfort, and practicality

Christopher Cunningham enjoys sailing barefoot, but when it comes to going ashore he reaches for his favorite neoprene booties.

2

September 2025

Harpswell Island Designs

Handcrafted boat pillows

Harpswell Island Designs’ pillows look good, wear well, and come in myriad styles from club burgees and state flags to abstract and whimsical designs.

4

September 2025

Project M23 Waterproof Field Bag

A protective bag from Expedition/Units with inserts for a camera

For years, Bill Thomas has sought a small waterproof bag to keep his camera equipment safe and dry on small boats. The Field Bag with Camera Block is rugged, waterproof, and just the right size.

3

August 2025

NRS Float Bags

Inflatable flotation for small boats

Not all small boats have built-in buoyancy, but flotation is important. NRS Float Bags are available in a range of sizes, made from tough, long-lasting materials, and come with a lifetime warranty.

4

August 2025

W.L. Fuller Countersinks

A popular tool approaches 100 years of longevity

Tapered drill bits with countersinks may not be the most glamorous tools in the workshop, but no boatbuilder would be without them. W.L. Fuller has been making countersinks and special-purpose drill bits of unbeatable quality and durability in Rhode Island since 1930.

3

July 2025

Flextail Max Shower

Keeping clean while cruising

When you’re small-boat cruising, you shouldn’t have to forgo all the luxuries of modern living. With its own pump, the Flextail Max Shower delivers good flow for refreshing bathing even in remote camps and anchorages.

2

July 2025

Kirby’s Marine Topside Hull and Deck Paint

Custom paint production since the mid-19th century

The George Kirby Jr. Paint Company has been hand-mixing top-quality marine paints to order for the past 179 years. As viable today as they were in the 1840s, the paints are user-friendly, durable, and available in any color.

4

June 2025

QuikFair from System Three Resins

An easily applied epoxy fairing putty

Some blemishes can’t be covered up with a seasonal coat of paint but don’t warrant an entire repaint. QuikFair is a two-part epoxy compound that adheres to old finishes, is easy to apply, and can be sanded within hours of application.

3

June 2025

Kayalite Kayak Light

A practical all-around light for small boats

Even the smallest of boats need lights if they are to be operated between sunset and sunrise. The Kayalite from Kayalu is waterproof, floats, and can be quickly set up and removed as needed.

3

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.

Kutzall Rasps

Titan 17007 Pry Bar and Scraper Set

Navilight Dinghy Complete Lights

Elegantly Warm

Leatherhead Kneepads

Load Straps from Malone Auto Racks

Automatic Vacuum Switches

Silver Ridge Pants

Gas Growler 3.8

Shackleton’s Boat Journey

Ankle Deck Boots

DeWalt Dry Hand Vacuum

Canvas Oar Bag

NRS Deluxe Boat Sponge

Wooster Shortcut Brush

Cressi’s Minorca Shorty Boots

Harpswell Island Designs

Project M23 Waterproof Field Bag

NRS Float Bags

W.L. Fuller Countersinks

Flextail Max Shower

Kirby’s Marine Topside Hull and Deck Paint

QuikFair from System Three Resins

Kayalite Kayak Light

Melbourne Tool Company Spokeshave

Subscribe Today!

Time to upgrade!

Kutzall Rasps

Titan 17007 Pry Bar and Scraper Set

Navilight Dinghy Complete Lights

Elegantly Warm

Leatherhead Kneepads

Load Straps from Malone Auto Racks

Automatic Vacuum Switches

Silver Ridge Pants

Gas Growler 3.8

Shackleton’s Boat Journey

Ankle Deck Boots

DeWalt Dry Hand Vacuum

Canvas Oar Bag

NRS Deluxe Boat Sponge

Wooster Shortcut Brush

Cressi’s Minorca Shorty Boots

Harpswell Island Designs

Project M23 Waterproof Field Bag

NRS Float Bags

W.L. Fuller Countersinks

Flextail Max Shower

Kirby’s Marine Topside Hull and Deck Paint

QuikFair from System Three Resins

Kayalite Kayak Light

Melbourne Tool Company Spokeshave

Subscribe Today!

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