It’s that time of year again, when Your Cruising Editor picks the best out of all her reviews this year for the BEST stuff your money can buy. And since we’re all doing some belt-tightening, I’ve included many HOT items that won’t make you part with BIG BOAT BUCKS! These recommendations are most often made with actual experience using the product or service. Items are either on loan or are promotional review samples. (See the Cmp.ly icon link below.).
Enjoy and Happy Shopping!
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GRID-IT!™ is an handy organizer that allows you to customize and reconfigure your stuff as your needs and cargo evolve. Do you throw all your personal belongings, gadgets and other knick-knacks in your carry-on bag, letting them bounce around and making them hard to find? With GRID-IT you can put all those items under rubberized elastic bands made specifically to hold personal objects firmly in place. The configurations are only limited by your creativity! Get GRID-IT online at Cocoon Innovations.
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Speaking of keeping items close at hand while onboard…if you haven’t discovered The Treefrog Pad, now is the time! The Tree Frog Pad is sticky like its namesake because it’s made from an environmentally friendly synthetic resin and it will keep all your stuff from sliding around. But what’s truly amazing is that you can stick the pad almost anywhere and then remove it without leaving any residue. Plus your handhelds, like phones or an iPad, will stick even while vertical! Cut it up and stick it anywhere you need extra shock resistance. It’s safe on varnished wood, painted surfaces, even gelcoat! At $12.95 you can get one for everyone on your gift list! Available online at TreeFrogPad.com. (Check out my photo on the boating page!).
What can I say? I love the Handpresso! I’m a self-described coffee snob. I like to grind my own beans and I love strong espresso. Life onboard doesn’t always afford me the style to which I am accustomed. That is until the Handpresso showed up. Importika, the company that also carries the high-end Gaggia line of Italian espresso machines, now offers the Handpresso in a couple of different designs including one that you can use your own freshly ground beans in. Simple pump action and hot water is all that required to create a ‘vintage’ coffee with a delicious aroma and a prefect crema. (All the coffee snobs out there will know just what I’m talking about here!). Pump up the pressure (about 30-40 pumps), add hot water, then put in the E.S.E pod. Push the button and voila! The Handpresso Travel Kit includes the Handpresso portable espresso maker and a travel case. And, since it’s fully human-powered, it’s also a green machine. Retails for $199.99.
The Fresh Traveller is both a food storage space and bowl all in one convenient carrier. With its sturdy double-walled stainless steel construction, any food or drink you prepare for your favorite crew will stay hot or cold. The contemporary design, by Arian Brekveld for Royal VKB in Zoetermeer, The Netherlands, has been included in New York’s MoMA. Designed to fit into a standard cup holder, the Fresh Traveller is perfect for yogurt and granola; soup and crackers; cold milk and cereal; pudding and cookies? The possibilities are endless. Everything stays fresh and/or crunchy until you mix it and keeps chilled food or beverages cold up to six hours. Retails for just under $45. Available online through Emmo Home.
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The solar-powered Raillight can mount anywhere with the “QuickMount” heavy-duty clamp mounting system – horizontally or vertically (clamps onto any railing from 3/4″ to 11/4″ diameter), transom clamp (adjusts up to 2″ making it perfect for cockpit combing, toe rails, attaching to tenders, dinghies, rowboats, canoes-any small boat that needs a safety light). Raillight Premium offers up to eight hours of light on a full charge and will last at least 20,000 hours. It’s made with marine grade ABS, stainless construction and utilizes four super-bright LEDs which are gasketed and sealed for excellent weatherproofing. A light sensor automatically turns the Raillight on at dusk and off at dawn, so you never have to wonder if you remembered to turn on your anchor light! Stay safe on the hook or in the dink with Raillight. Retails for $30. Available at SolLight.com.
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More Green Gear…RestoreTM Solar-Powered Electronics Charger. Going green is easy with this nifty solar-powered portable charger for your USB (mini or micro) adapter device like iPods, smartphones, digital cameras or Bluetooth headset. Use the power of the sun to restore your devices to full power not one, not two, but up to eight times for a headset or four AA batteries! For an iPod, one hour of sun equals six or seven hours of music. Charges from either the solar panel, the USB or from the included DC adapter. Retails for around $90, but can give you the output equal to 1,372 AA batteries, plus it’s better for the planet! You can find the Restore™ Portable Power Device at REI.
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Look fabulously Nauti with jewelry for the Nautically-inclined from Style Newport. Handcrafted in sterling silver or gold, nautical flag charms dangle from either rubber, leather or charm bracelets and start at $50. Choose your initials for a lovely necklace or perhaps your boat name for a charm bracelet.
Read my “Boat Test” of SN jewelry at www.YachtCandy.com
Makes a very special gift for the Holidays! (Hint, hint…). Visit them online at www.stylenewport.com.
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TruPlug is the “must-have” emergency gear for everyone! TruPlug is softer than a traditional wooden plug and can be pushed in by hand and take up the shape of an irregular opening. This makes the TruPlug much more versatile than any typical wooden plug. Use it in case of a thru hull failure, or for any tear, round or otherwise. Available at Forespar.com.
Keep your small electronics dry with Sea To Summit TPU fully waterproof accessory cases. Super reliable roll top closure provides waterproof and dust proof performance. PVC-free TPU material (thermoplastic polyurethane) is strong, durable, flexible and UV-resistant. Available in small, medium and large sizes. Retails for between $12 and $20.
If you don’t yet have an iPad onboard you probably will soon. Be sure to protect it from the elements with a WaterGuard Waterproof Case from TrendyDigital. The UV-stabilized plastic guards against wet environments and provides extra cushioning as well. Use your iPad right through the plastic. Retails for $19.99 and comes with an adjustable strap.
Want to listen to your tunes while in the water? Get the DryCase for the iPhone or iTouch. When used with the handy waterproof DryBuds, you can safely listen to your device while in the water. Remarkable! I love the handy Neoprene and Velcro buoyant armband. Another ‘must-have’ for active waterbabes!
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Find out all the best new Mobile Apps for Boaters online at MadMariner.com courtesy of YourCruisingEditor!
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Disclosures: http://cmp.ly/1/mw5qvn
Your Cruising Editor 