New Boating Gear: Something For Everyone

Waze For The Water

Most of us use an app like Waze or Google Maps when we're driving along in our (boring) land vehicles, but wouldn't it be nice if we had a Waze-like app for use on the water? Enter KnowWake, a waterway nav app driven by crowdsourced reporting from on-water users. Nav data is also sourced from all of the usual suspects like the U.S. Coast Guard and local law enforcement and government agencies as well. After you plug in critical factors like your boat's boat draft, the app recommends safe routes to get you from point A to point B. Once you get to your destination, it can then tip you off to the marine services you may need like fuel docks, marinas, boat ramps, restaurants, and other dockside and waterfront amenities. On top of that KnowWake includes the ability to share current location, save voyages, and communicate with others within the app. Free | KnowWake.com

Fingertip Trim

Trimming out a boat can be tough, especially when your fingers have to hunt for the switches while your eyes are glued to your course line at high speed. Dometic means to make it easier with the new Pro-Trim Engine Trim Control System. Those old trim switches go away, and instead, you get a stalk on the steering column just like the turn signal in your car. It mounts between the steering wheel and helm bezel, is simple enough for DIY installation (all mounting hardware is included), and you can also mount a second stalk to control jack plate height. $95 to $170 | Dometic.com

Catching Air

When you want to go swimming and you want to float — but you don't want to wear a traditional life jacket — an Airtime Floater fits the bill. The Floater is a wetsuit with extra buoyancy that provides good freedom of motion yet also allows you to rest while floating atop the water. (Note: It is not a U.S. Coast Guard-approved flotation device.) The 2mm suit is made from 56% neoprene, 30% PVC, and 14% polyester, and has short sleeves, flatlock-stitched seams, and an extra-long zipper in the back so it's easy to put on and take off. Women's, men's, and kids' models are available. $99.95 to $159.95 | AirtimeWatertime.com

Keep Your Lid On

If your boat cruises at hat-stripping speeds, you've probably lost more than a few hats through the years. That's because hats aren't exactly designed for use specifically on boats — until now. Arntson Marine Windsun hats are designed by boaters for boaters, incorporating features like a brim that doesn't flap in the breeze and enough buoyancy to keep the hat afloat, a comfortable removable D-Tach strap, and a load-spreading band that adjusts for the perfect fit. These hats are “crushable” for easy stowage but spring back to shape, dry quickly in the sun, and are made from NYLOX 200 milled nylon. $54 | ArntsonMarine.com

Impactful Innovation

Traditional round fenders are tough to stow, sometimes roll out of position, and need to be properly inflated to work as advertised. None of these issues are a problem with the new flat, rectangular-shaped Impact fenders. Made from high-density 32-ounce PVC coated with polyester and sealed via heat-welded seams, these fenders are exceptionally tough yet lightweight. They come in 10 colors and two sizes including medium (2 by 12 by 21.5 inches recommended for 14- to 25-foot boats) and large (3 by 16 by 27 inches recommended for 25- to 60-foot boats). Because they stow flat, they take up far less room than traditional fenders without giving up one iota of effectiveness. Added bonus: Thanks to their shape, Impact fenders can also be used as seat cushions. $49.95 to $98.95 | ImpactFenders.com

Brainy Battery

By now you've probably heard that LiFePO4 lithium iron phosphate batteries are much safer than early-generation lithium power cells, can hold about double the capacity of a lead-acid battery, charge in a fraction of the time, and can last up to 10 times longer. But the Discover Battery Lithium Blue Premium Series goes a step further, bringing some serious brain power to its integrated battery management system. It's Bluetooth-equipped and communicates with your phone (both iOS or Android) via the Lithium Blue monitoring app. This allows you to check data like charge state, voltage, operating current, temperature, and diagnostic details at any time right from your phone. $1,099 to $2,220 | DiscoverBattery.com

Grace Under Pressure

You wish you could blast away that mess on the deck without breaking out the scrub brush? PressureMate has the solution in what it claims is the world's first onboard 12-volt pressure washer. The PressureMate runs off your boat's freshwater system and provides a 600-psi stream that can sluice away fish blood and scales, spills, stains, and cookie crumbles in a heartbeat without damaging your boat's gelcoat or upholstery. Metal pressure-washer parts and quick-disconnect fittings are stainless-steel, and the pump housing is aircraft-grade anodized aluminum with a Teflon coating. The pump draws 45 amps, and the entire system weighs 24 pounds. BoatOutfitters.com/pressure-mate-onboard-12v-pressure-washer

Fresh Thinking

Fresh Thinking

Sometimes the simplest ideas are the best, and the Surefill is a great example. A moment of carelessness or distraction has led more than one boater to pump fuel into the boat's freshwater tank fill, but the simple thread-in or snap-in Surefill eliminates that possibility. This small plastic insert prevents inserting the fuel nozzle into the tank, and better yet, it also holds a standard water hose in place. So once you have a dedicated Surefill installed, you can turn on the hose and spend your time on other tasks until the water tank is full. $19.99 | SurefillUSA.com