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Didn't make it to the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show this winter? We scoured the tents and pavilions to find the latest and greatest gear to improve your boating life.
Ditch The Cables
I used to have a boat with only one battery, and I was forever concerned that a flat battery would leave me dead in the water. If only the Weego 44 jump-starter pack had been available back then. Small and lightweight enough to fit in the smallest of storage spaces, the Weego 44 is essentially a lithium-ion battery in a case that packs enough oomph to start a 7-liter gas or 3.5-liter diesel motor. Two LED lights and outlets for powering a variety of smartphones and other devices extend its usefulness. $149.99 | MyWeego.com
Dry As A Desert
A dry boat means no mold and mildew or musty smells. But no matter how good or how large your bilge pump, chances are that you still end up with some water in the bilge. Until now, there have been two choices: live with it, or get on your hands and knees with a sponge to get the bilge completely dry. Now there's a third way. The Arid Bilge Series 1 Nano vacuum system literally sucks up those last remaining dregs — up to 5 quarts per hour. The central vacuum pump is contained in a plastic case mounted well clear of the bilge area. The 4-pound pump connects to a 20-foot-long, 5/32-inch-diameter, easy-to-route polyethylene tube with a mesh screen filter on the end that sits in the bilge and sucks up those pesky puddles that pumps can't reach. $895.00 | AridBilge.com
Bobbing For Fish
One of the most useful tools in a fisherman's armory is a fishfinder. But what if you want to fish from a dock, kayak, or SUP? The iBobber could be your solution. Completely self-contained, iBobber looks more like a toy than serious fishing equipment. The iBobber is a castable fishfinder that connects to your Android or Apple device via Bluetooth. It displays depth, water temperature, bottom contours, and all the other information that anglers rely on. Suitable for both freshwater and saltwater fishing, the iBobber runs for up to 10 hours on a single charge. $99.99 | ReelSonar.com