krogragg

Category: Affiliate

  • How to Maintain Your Boat’s Hydraulic Steering

    How to Maintain Your Boat’s Hydraulic Steering SeaStar hydraulic steering systems are superbly reliable. Regular inspections and maintenance help keep them that way. Courtesy Dometic Hydraulic steering systems are so super reliable that boaters may forget about them. But if you were to lose steering, you’d be put in a dangerous—perhaps life-threatening—situation. For this reason,…

  • How to Replace SeaDek

    How to Replace SeaDek The hardest part of installing new SeaDek is removing old SeaDek. Jim Hatch When SeaDek began offering custom-cut EVA closed-cell foam padding in 2004, I added a pair of long, narrow deck pads on either side of the center console and a third deck pad at the helm of my trusty…

  • Best Knives for Boaters

    Best Knives for Boaters A good knife is an important piece of gear for boaters and anglers. Courtesy True Knives Everybody needs a good knife, but one man’s garbage is another man’s gold. So I collected an eclectic variety of knives, carried them, cut with them, boned up on their materials, and tested each component…

  • Three Tools for Drying Your Boat

    Three Tools for Drying Your Boat The right tools will help keep your boat dry. Courtesy West Marine The problem with boats is that, to enjoy them, you have to get them wet. Drying off the inside of your boat after using it or washing it is a big thing in terms of extending its…

  • Vanemar’s New Security System is a Snap to Install

    Vanemar’s New Security System is a Snap to Install Vanemar’s security and monitoring system is easy to set up. Courtesy Vanemar BUY NOW Vanemar has a new system for remote vessel monitoring and in our test we found it to be the easiest to set up and use of several in this report. The process…

  • FLIR Ocean Scout Pro

    FLIR Ocean Scout Pro The Ocean Scout Pro is easy to handle to scan the waters at night Courtesy Ron Ballanti FLIR has been a pioneer in marine thermal-imaging devices, including handheld scopes/cameras, that can detect the heat signatures of objects such as buoys, boats, breakwaters and other hazards to enhance boating safety at night.…

  • How to Install a Fixed-Mount Marine VHF Radio

    How to Install a Fixed-Mount Marine VHF Radio A fixed-mount VHF radio offers a number of sophisticated features and options. Jim Hatch Installing one of today’s advanced fixed-mount marine VHF radios can prove more involved than you might imagine. Naturally, every radio model requires a 12-volt DC power source and a VHF antenna, but models…

  • StarPod Systems

    StarPod Systems The StarPod from NavPod offers a secure and waterproof mount for Starlink antennas on boats. Courtesy NavPod BUY NOW Looking for a convenient, streamline and secure way to install a Starlink antenna on your boat so you’re always able to stay in touch with friends, family and boating buddies? The StarPod systems from…

  • Comparing Three-, Four-, and Five-Blade Propellers

    Comparing Three-, Four-, and Five-Blade Propellers Matching the right propeller to an engine and boat will ensure maximum performance. Courtesy Mercury Marine Selecting the proper propeller for your boat requires a lot of science and an equal amount of art. It’s all about putting together the right amount of tech and magic to work best…

  • How to Pack a Cooler for a Boat Day

    How to Pack a Cooler for a Boat Day Keep your cool by packing your picnic the right way. We’ll tell you how. Courtesy BackBone Media If you’re wondering how to pack a cooler for a boat day, the key is building a chilled, organized system—not just tossing in ice and drinks. Pre-chill your cooler,…

  • YETI Roadie 32: A Premium Cooler for Portability and Performance

    YETI Roadie 32: A Premium Cooler for Portability and Performance The YETI Roadie 32 has all the makings of a great cooler for a day on the water. Courtesy BackBone Media The YETI Roadie 32 wheeled cooler strikes a practical balance between portability and performance, but its price tag, ranging from $350 to $375 at…

  • We Test the ODYSSEY 15 Amp Charger

    We Test the ODYSSEY 15 Amp Charger The OBC-15-A’s versatility makes it ideal for boat owners. Courtesy ODYSSEY BUY NOW The ODYSSEY OBC-15-A marine battery charger represents a significant advancement in battery charging technology. Designed primarily for marine applications, this lightweight and versatile charging solution is the first of its kind engineered to handle both…

  • FISHOOZ DryRun Ankle Boot

    FISHOOZ DryRun Ankle Boot The author wore these boats for most of a season fishing aboard his own boat. Courtesy FISHOOZ BUY NOW I’ve worn my share of deck boots through my almost  60 years of fishing. FISHOOZ DryRun waterproof boots proved themselves a worthy footwear choice aboard my boat, Breakaway. Feet shod with DryRun…

  • The Safest Soaps for Your Boat and the Environment

    The Safest Soaps for Your Boat and the Environment The right soap will make washing your boat much easier. Randy Vance Internet analytics reveal that “environmentally safe boat soap” is a wildly common search term entered into Google. The keystrokes reveal a plethora of bits and advice from forums, magazines and websites pointing toward food…

  • New XTRATUF Unisex Riptide Sandals

    New XTRATUF Unisex Riptide Sandals XTRATUF’s new Unisex Riptide sandals are made for life both on and off the water. Courtesy XTRATUF BUY NOW A far-cry from the brown legacy boot upon which XTRATUF built its vaunted footwear brand, the unisex Riptide skews to the more relaxed boating lifestyle in a sandal with a textured…

  • How to Install an Automatic Bilge Pump

    How to Install an Automatic Bilge Pump Select a pump with the same output or greater than the original pump. Jim Hatch A dewatering device is strongly recommended by the US Coast Guard aboard boats, and electric bilge pumps fulfill this role. However, bilge pumps can wear out. Replacing the old pump with one that…

  • Dometic Recon Coolers

    Dometic Recon Coolers Dometic’s new Recon hard coolers are lighter and help keep ice frozen longer than traditional roto-molded coolers. Courtesy Dometic BUY NOW Dometic’s new Recon System includes a modular line of hard coolers designed to stack, stow and lock in place–great for transport and storage. Up to 30 percent lighter than traditional roto-molded…

  • Minn Kota Riptide Instinct Quest

    Minn Kota Riptide Instinct Quest Beefy construction is just one of the motor’s hot new features. One-Boat connectivity to power anchors and MFDs allows multiple points of control. Courtesy Minn Kota The Riptide Instinct Quest from Minn Kota is more than the sum of its parts. Intuitive controls, multiple points of operation, and complete networking…

  • Trailer Bunk Slides for Easier Loading and Unloading

    Trailer Bunk Slides for Easier Loading and Unloading Choose bunk slide widths so they don’t extend beyond the edge of the existing bunks. Choose thicker slides for larger boats. Courtesy Boat Outfitters This is the sixth of a seven-part story on Boating Magazine editors’ favorite boat trailer accessories. We chose these Trailer Bunk Slides as…

  • FlexStep Pro Adjustable Trailer Step

    FlexStep Pro Adjustable Trailer Step The FlexStep Pro Adjustable Trailer Step can be installed quickly on most trailers with the included mounting brackets. Courtesy Megaware BUY NOW This is the fifth of a seven-part story on Boating Magazine editors’ favorite boat trailer accessories. We chose this FlexStep because it is flexible and can be mounted…

  • Affordable Boat-Security Systems

    Affordable Boat-Security Systems Monitoring your boat from afar is easier than ever, thanks to increasingly affordable and compact app-based systems that update you on the condition and location of your unattended boat, no matter how many miles separate you from your vessel.  All it takes is a few clicks on your mobile phone to get…

  • Boat2Trailer Automatic Bow-Eye Latch

    Boat2Trailer Automatic Bow-Eye Latch Drive the boat forward into the waiting “palm” of the device until it automatically latches to the bow eye. Courtesy Boat2Trailer BUY NOW This is the third of a seven-part story on Boating Magazine editors’ favorite boat trailer accessories. We chose this one because it makes launching and loading single-handed an…

  • Tested: Bajío Annette Sunglasses

    Tested: Bajío Annette Sunglasses Editor’s Note: Sue Whitney is Boating’s Managing Editor. She’s the combination photoshoot-boattest manager-traffic cop-mother hen that keeps our crew on track bringing you boating the content you want and need. –K.F. New for 2025, Bajio has introduced Annette sunglasses with a slight cat eye frame shape. No, she’s not a real…

  • Retractable Transom Tie-Downs Make Trailering Easier

    Retractable Transom Tie-Downs Make Trailering Easier BoatBuckle G2 straps have 2,500 lbs. of holding power and are corrosion resistant for saltwater use. Courtesy BoatBuckle BUY NOW This is the first of a seven-part story on Boating editors’ favorite boat trailer accessories. We chose them because they add convenience in trailering, security in traveling with the…

  • Top Protective Coatings for Boats

    Top Protective Coatings for Boats To achieve a good result with graphene, ceramic or wax, perfect surface preparation is essential. Hedgehog94/Adobe Stock If you’ve had a great season so far, chances are that the spit and polish you put on your boat’s gelcoat finish this past spring is losing some its luster. Boating Lab has…

  • Top 10 Safety Essentials for Offshore Jet Ski Fishing

    Top 10 Safety Essentials for Offshore Jet Ski Fishing Fishing offshore using a PWC? Be sure to pack the proper safety gear. Courtesy Kawasaki Offshore jet ski fishing delivers unmatched excitement—but it demands respect. Miles from shore, safety gear isn’t optional—it’s your lifeline. These 10 essential items are what every offshore PWC angler needs to…

  • Electronically Stabilized Binoculars for Boaters

    Electronically Stabilized Binoculars for Boaters The Sirius 12 features a built-in six-axis electronic gyro-sensor. Courtesy Koden Electronically stabilized marine binoculars are a boon to boaters, allowing for increased magnification versus conventional binoculars because they compensate for shaky hands and rough seas to provide steady viewing.  These are different from the heavy, electrically powered ­gyroscopic binoculars…

  • Installing a Watersports Mirror on a Center-Console

    Installing a Watersports Mirror on a Center-Console Once installation is complete, remove the protective film from the mirror’s reflective surface and, if necessary, clean the mirror with the supplied microfiber cloth. Jim Hatch Today’s new center-consoles have evolved into much more than just fishing boats. These popular models increasingly come with all kinds of family-oriented…

  • 2025 Father’s Day Gift Guide

    2025 Father’s Day Gift Guide We’ve curated this list of unique and special Father’s Day gifts for boating dads. Whether the mariner you seek a gift for is your mate or your parent (or even your child) this list is intended to help you select a Father’s Day gift that will truly be appreciated. Some of…

  • Choosing the Right Watersports Tow Point

    Choosing the Right Watersports Tow Point Tubing, skiing and wakeboarding all have different requirements. Courtesy Monster Tower, Sea Dog (eye), Centurion Boats (pylon) Almost every boater, whether they’re watersports fanatics or enjoy it casually, has the idea to take someone tubing, skiing or boarding behind their boat. But not all tow points are created equal,…

  • Summer Guide to Boating Gear

    Summer Guide to Boating Gear A properly maintained boat will ensure a full season’s worth of fun. Courtesy West Marine Memorial Day is the traditional start of the boating season, which means the start of boat maintenance season. To keep the boat running right, the long holiday weekend is perfect for a few pre-season projects. …

  • Top Water Toys for Summer

    Top Water Toys for Summer Fliteboard’s Series 5 is a versatile, all-around platform. Courtesy Fliteboard Schoolchildren and boating enthusiasts have one thing in common. And that is, both groups know that summer is the best time of year. The sun’s out, the days are long, and the water beckons. Scratch that—schoolkids and boaters actually have…

  • Installing LED Spreader Lights

    Installing LED Spreader Lights Once the installation is complete, turn on the power and switch on the light to make sure it works. Then adjust the angle to provide the best possible illumination of the deck area. Jim Hatch The first spreaders—aka marine floodlights—that I installed on my boat 30 years ago were ITT Jabsco…

  • Marine Electronics That Make Boating Safer

    Marine Electronics That Make Boating Safer When used properly by experienced captains, electronics can make you safer. Courtesy Grundéns They had guts, those great mariners from the Age of Discovery. Though some are viewed today with a degree of controversy, the likes of Columbus, Vespucci, ­Cortés and Magellan still hold reputations as bastions of courage…

  • Stay Safe on the Water

    Stay Safe on the Water The proper gear will keep you safe and get you rescued. Courtesy West Marine From life jackets to rescue beacons, America’s #1 boating retailer has everything you’ll need to keep you and your crew safe on the water. Giving you more ways than ever to Boat More with fast same…

  • Tips for Inspecting Your Safety Gear

    Tips for Inspecting Your Safety Gear An annual inspection will ensure proper operation of your safety gear. Courtesy Mustang Survival, West Marine, Weems and Plath, ACR Electronics Some boaters treat safety gear and anchors the same way: They have it all buried in a locker and will get it out when and if they need…

  • Simrad NSS 4

    Simrad NSS 4 Simrad NSS 4 models offer built-in dual-channel 1 kW chirp sonar, as well as support for Active Imaging HD sonar. Courtesy Simrad BUY NOW Multifunction displays continue to advance in processing speed, system integration, enhanced control capabilities, and ease of use. The latest to emerge in this marine-tech revolution is the Simrad NSS 4…

  • Four Emergency Locator Beacons for Boaters

    Four Emergency Locator Beacons for Boaters Emergency locator beacons, like Spot’s Gen4, can aid rescuers in an emergency. Courtesy Spot BUY NOW William Marshall ventured 20 miles offshore on November 15, 2024, and never expected to have catastrophic engine failure at sea. Worse yet, threatening storms forming ahead of weather reports loomed over them. He…

  • Best Boat Choices for First-Time Boat Buyers

    Best Boat Choices for First-Time Boat Buyers The hardest part of becoming a boater is taking that first step. To be a real boater, you have to actually buy a boat, a prospect that can seem daunting. With so many choices and styles, it’s hard to figure out which one is best for you. Plus,…

  • Solid-State Batteries for Boaters

    Solid-State Batteries for Boaters Solid-state batteries from Solid State Marine feature a thin, solid lithium electrolyte coating that saves weight and boosts capacity. Courtesy Solid State Marine As recently as this past winter, solid-state batteries were touted as future tech poised to move electric propulsion rapidly forward. Jumping ahead a year, Honda ­announced limited production…

  • Sunglass Lens Color Comparison

    Sunglass Lens Color Comparison No matter what type of boater you are, you should consider a quality pair of polarized sunglasses to be essential safety gear. Not just for how they reduce glare, but for how they protect your eyes from the sun’s harmful UV rays as well. Sunglasses-makers now offer myriad lens colors to choose…

  • Installing a Lighted VHF Antenna

    Installing a Lighted VHF Antenna Shakespeare’s new CommLight antenna adds illuminated flair to nighttime boating. Jim Hatch Marine VHF antennas have not changed much since VHF radios were adopted by recreational boaters in the 1960s. We have seen improved durability and materials, optimized transmission and reception range, and enhanced mounting systems. Yet, the function of…

  • Live Sonar for Saltwater Fishing

    Live Sonar for Saltwater Fishing Garmin has the ­longest history in live-sonar ­development and has earned a reputation for ­prevailing as the top device. Courtesy Garmin BUY NOW Be it Garmin LiveScope, Lowrance Active Target 2 or Humminbird Mega Live 2, live sonar seems to have popped up on bass boats overnight, but saltwater anglers…

  • Choosing the Right Trailer Tongue Jack

    Choosing the Right Trailer Tongue Jack If the jack must be used at full extension to keep the bow of your boat high for drainage, select a taller jack, or one with more travel, or deploy the jack onto some blocking to gain height. Using a tongue jack at full extension severely shortens its lifespan.…

  • Hertz Marine Audio Systems Offer High-Quality Sound

    Hertz Marine Audio Systems Offer High-Quality Sound The Capri Source unit is designed to broadcast high-resolution audio throughout the speaker system on the boat. Courtesy Hertz Audio BUY NOW In the not so distant past, boat owners had a much different audio experience on the water than while driving in the tow vehicle they used…

  • Three Top Manual Signaling Devices

    Three Top Manual Signaling Devices Technological advancements have made us all ­exponentially safer every time we set out on the water, but there’s still something to be said for bringing aboard a few inexpensive, tried-and-true safety devices that don’t require a power source or any kind of operator instruction. Here are three simple safety devices…

  • Phone Charging and Mounting Systems for Boats

    Phone Charging and Mounting Systems for Boats Boatbuilders recognize that everyone on board uses a phone—posting, Snapping, TikToking, and more—between leaving port and returning. To keep the social posting live, everybody needs a power port or charger, many of which securely hold your phone. We’ve tested numerous different phone holders and chargers, while testing boats.…

  • How to Create Custom Boat Trim

    How to Create Custom Boat Trim Fashioning pieces of fitted trim can enhance the good looks of your boat. Jim Hatch After 30 years of saltwater use, the intricately curved anodized-aluminum trim along the cap of the open transom of my outboard-powered 21-foot center-console fishing boat was falling apart. Corrosion had eaten away at the…

  • Night-Vision Technology for Boaters

    Night-Vision Technology for Boaters There is a range of night-vision devices available to boaters. Courtesy X Vision, Sionyx If you want to boat more safely at night, night-vision technology can help minimize your odds of getting off course or missing a hidden ­aid-to-navigation post or piece of flotsam. There are two basic technologies to open…

  • Humminbird Mega Live 2 and Xplore MFDs

    Humminbird Mega Live 2 and Xplore MFDs Mega Live 2 features enhanced clarity and a more stable view versus the previous Humminbird forward-facing-sonar ­system. Courtesy Humminbird BUY NOW As forward-facing sonar, aka live sonar, from brands such as Garmin and Lowrance takes over freshwater bass fishing, some anglers forget that the company that introduced this…

  • Three Top Handheld Lights for Boaters

    Three Top Handheld Lights for Boaters The right handheld light can make boating in the dark much easier. Courtesy West Marine, Streamlight, Milwaukee Tool No matter how many lights you have hard-wired into your boat, every boater would be well-served to carry aboard some type of handheld illumination device. You never know when you’re going…

  • Garmin inReach Messenger Plus

    Garmin inReach Messenger Plus Garmin’s inReach Messenger Plus includes photo-sending and voice-messaging capabilities via satellite. Courtesy Garmin BUY NOW Compact, portable and affordable satellite-messaging devices have revolutionized on-water communications by effectively transforming mobile devices into satellite phones. Most, however, are limited to texting, as well as SOS alerts. But the Garmin inReach Messenger Plus adds…

  • AGM vs. Lithium Batteries

    AGM vs. Lithium Batteries AGM batteries hold a charge longer, can charge faster, and require less maintenance than traditional flooded-cell lead-acid batteries. Courtesy EnerSys BUY NOW Boat batteries are the heart of it all. Whether used to power accessories or simply to start an engine, not too much happens aboard most powerboats without a battery. In…

  • Best Gifts for Boat Owners This Holiday Season

    Best Gifts for Boat Owners This Holiday Season If you have a boater in your life, you might think that they already have ­everything they could possibly need to spend time on the water. You would be wrong. Whether they take their boat out every day or every once in a while, whether they fish…

  • How to Protect Your Boat’s Vinyl From Mold and Mildew

    How to Protect Your Boat’s Vinyl From Mold and Mildew Mold prevention is more effective than mold removal. But once mold has appeared, some derivative of bleach is most effective at killing it. The remover must be cleansed from the vinyl or it will break down the fabric and threads. Courtesy Xanigo Marine New-boat vinyl…