Product Reviews

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.