Category: Boating Lab
-
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…
-
Dynamic Trim Systems Comparison
Dynamic Trim Systems Comparison Dynamic trim systems help dampen the forces of the wind and sea. Tom King Trim tabs were once just a device fixed in place to lengthen a boat’s running surface and provide lift to its transom for a quicker, more level hole shot. When Bennett first introduced adjustable hydraulic tabs (installed…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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.…