Product Reviews - Small Boats Magazine

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.

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.

November 2023

Collapsible Water Bags

Convenient water-carriers from WaterStorageCube

How far you can cruise often is a function of how much potable water you can carry aboard. Collapsible bags from WaterStorageCube can fit in odd spaces and take up less room as they’re emptied.

December 2023

An RSS Lugsail

Mayfly 14 Pierce Expedition from Really Simple Sails

Finding sails for small boats is not always easy. Really Simple Sails is filling a gap in the market with well-built and affordable stock and custom sails.

October 2023

Scotty Rescue Throw Bag

For quick deployment of a floating rescue line

Scotty’s Rescue Throw Bag houses 50’ of floating line that can be quickly deployed and easily thrown.

October 2023

Reverse-Reading Compass

Getting an accurate heading while looking astern

Most boat compasses are designed to be used while you’re facing forward. The Ritchie Rowing Compass is designed for aft-facing rowers.

September 2023

Flex Tape vs. Densyl Tape

Finding the right tape for emergency repairs

Tapes for on-the-go temporary repairs to hulls should adhere to wet, curved surfaces, but not all tapes are created equal.

September 2023

A Universal Marine Compass

A steering compass that also serves for hand-held bearings

Silva’s 70UN can be mounted on a bracket for steering a course or hand-held as a bearing compass.

August 2023

Plastimo Fog Horns

Two fog horns from Plastimo float, aren’t adversely affected by the marine environment, and are impressively loud.

August 2023

WaveFront’s TillerClutch

When the rudder is set to hold the course you want, WaveFront’s TillerClutch can mind the tiller while you tend to other tasks or take a break.

July 2023

The CLC Tool Box Kit

A plywood tool-tote kit from Chesapeake Light Craft that’s a snap to assemble

A well-organized tote for storing and carrying tools for building, repairing, and maintaining boats as well as doing household chores is easily assembled from Chesapeake Light Craft’s Tool Box Kit.

July 2023

Seavolt LED Tail Lights

Trailer guidepost lights for improved visibility

The tail lights on small trailers are often obscured by the boat being carried. These LED lights solve the problem and fit most standard trailer posts.

June 2023

Coleman’s Portable Camp Oven

Baking aboard or ashore

While fresh baked goods are a treat at home or a bakery, they’re even better when baked far from civilization.

June 2023

Malone’s MicroSport

A small trailer for small boats

Malone’s MicroSport trailer is nicely sized for a small boat or two and, with its retractable tongue, it can be stored standing on end in small spaces.

May 2023

Khimera

A hybrid foam/inflatable PFD from Mustang Survival

For some rowing, paddling, and sailing outings in small boats, a simple, compact PFD that provides extra buoyancy only when you really need it, is the answer. Ben Fuller believes he’s found just the thing.

May 2023

FlexStep Pro

A user-friendly solution for boarding boats on trailers

It’s hard enough getting in and out of some boats when they’re on the water, but when they’re on a trailer it can be almost impossible. The trailer-mounted FlexStep Pro offers a helpful leg up.

April 2023

Hüga

A heated seat for outdoors

Born out of a desire to stay warm while dining outside during the pandemic, the Hüga cushion is equally suited to bringing warmth and comfort to those with a taste for colder-weather boating.

April 2023

Eyoyo Underwater Video

Exploring the depths without getting wet

While small boats can provide a close connection with the water, there’s a whole world beneath the surface that almost always goes unseen. An underwater video system offers a window into that world.

March 2023

Revolve Boat Hook

A full-sized boat hook for small boats

Boathooks are useful but unwieldy items of equipment. A new version rolls up to a size barely larger than a coffee mug and can be stowed just about anywhere.

February 2023

Spruce Spoon Oars

Beautiful oars that inspire good rowing

Adirondack Guideboat has introduced spruce spoon oars that are pretty to the eye, light in the hand, and, unlike their traditional guideboat oars, meant to be feathered.

February 2023

Thixo Flex

An epoxy with flexibility

Thixo Flex is a flexible thickened epoxy that can be used on oily woods, dry, damp, or wet surfaces, as well as a wide array of materials including fiberglass, metals, and plastics.

March 2023

The Tow Tuff

A battery-powered electric dolly

Moving boats around on land singlehanded is never easy, but this battery-powered electric dolly is a welcome assistant. The Tow Tuff is easily assembled, easily handled, and can move boat trailers and their loads of up to 3,500 lbs.

January 2023

The Silent Hitch Pin

A spring-loaded block-and-pin assembly prevents trailer rattle

A rattling drawbar can be annoying and cause wear and tear on a trailer hitch receiver. The Silent Hitch Pin is easy to install, stops the rattling, and has a lock to prevent theft.