1. Newport NT300 3HP Electric Outboard
If you’re looking to ditch the gas outboard on your dinghy or tender and go green, the NT300 electric outboard and one of Newport’s lithium batteries may be your ticket. The motor is available in two shaft lengths (24.6 inches or 29 inches) and puts out the equivalent of three near-silent horses that can easily push boats up to 12 feet. Combined with a Newport lightweight 36-volt 30Ah lithium battery, the whole ensemble weighs in at under 50 pounds. Soundings Executive Editor Pim Van Hemmen used it to propel an 11-foot, 7-inch rowboat and after an hour on the water, which included numerous high-speed runs, he returned to the dock with more than 95 percent of the battery charge remaining. That kind of performance lends credence to Newport’s claim that at slow speeds it can run for 30 hours and 66 miles. Although other battery brands can be used with the motor, Newport has a smartphone app that allows you to monitor the charge of their smart batteries via Bluetooth in real time. Motor: $1,199. Battery: $949 newportvessels.com
2. Rugged Road Coolers
Rotomolded coolers can weigh a ton, even empty. Spencer Sutlive thought so, too. The young inventor and entrepreneur set out to develop a new high-performance cooler that would surpass other brands in ice retention and ruggedness at about half the weight. Working with a blast-protective coating developed by the military for shielding troops from explosions, it took him several years to bring his initial Rugged Road models to market in 2021. This year he introduced the more refined V2 series in 45-, 65- and 85-quart models. They keep things cool, don’t give you a hernia and are nearly indestructible. Parking a Jeep on top of one is no problem, and get this—they float upright, even fully loaded. Just toss one in the water and float the drinks over to your buddy’s boat. From $300 ruggedroadoutdoors.com
3. Cressi Flipper Socks
There’s nothing like buggin’ for lobsters, snorkeling at your favorite reef or scuba diving an interesting wreck. The one thing these pastimes all have in common is the need for flippers, but they can cause blisters. These flipper socks are offered by Italian wetsuit manufacturer Cressi. They are mid-calf length, made from 2.5-mil neoprene and lined with proprietary Metallite so they slip on and off easily. The soles have an effective anti-slip design that’s perfect for wearing onboard between dives and they are made to use with both closed-foot and open-heel fins. $27 divein.com
4. Skeleton Decoy Sunglasses
Sunglasses are not optional on the water when you want to protect your eyes from harmful UV rays. Skeleton partnered with Zeiss to create a line of top-performing sunglasses that block 100 percent of UV rays. Soundings Executive Editor Pim Van Hemmen wears the Blaze Orange Decoy model. He says they stay on your face or on top of your baseball cap without any kind of annoying gadgets and unlike many other sunglasses continue to allow you to see clearly when the sun goes behind the clouds. Skeleton sunglasses are designed and manufactured in Italy with Zeiss polycarbonate lenses that are coated with an advanced hydrophobic and oleophobic shield that repels water, sweat, oil, sunscreen and dust for clear vision and easy cleaning. Skeleton has a host of frame designs with a variety of lens colors. $239 skeletonoptics.com
5. Clarion CMM-30
Who doesn’t like listening to their favorite tunes on the water? The CMM-30 is weatherproof and packed with features and advanced functions. Input sources include a digital AM/FM tuner with NOAA weather radio, SiriusXM capability, Bluetooth audio streaming from your smartphone or tablet, USB 2.0 input with device charging and even an old-fashioned analog auxiliary input—in case you still have an 8-track you want to plug in (just kidding). The face is compact, so it won’t take up much space at the helm and includes a slick 3-inch, full-color, dimmable LCD display. The controls are large, and the buttons are backlit to make operation easy when underway. The head unit includes an onboard amplifier with up to 100 watts of high-fidelity sound distributed to two main zones, plus 8 channels of preamp outputs to a power amp and subwoofer should you wish to expand the system. Clarion has packed a lot of features and performance into a very compact unit that’s worth a look if you’re planning to upgrade your onboard sound system. $480 clarion marine.com
6. ACR ResQLink AIS PLB
There is nothing more important than having the right safety equipment onboard and one of the best items to take with you is a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB). This unit from ACR is groundbreaking. It won the innovation award at the 2022 Fort Lauderdale Boat Show and was called, “the holy grail of safety equipment.” The ACR ResQLink AIS PLB combines satellite technology with the near-field transmission of AIS emergency signals, which means vessels closest to your position can find you. The unit provides satellite positioning, a 406 MHz distress signal and a 121.5-MHz local homing signal, along with the integrated AIS, Near Field Communication for use with the free ACR mobile app, and compatibility with Return Link Service alerting. Older PLBs would send a signal, but you couldn’t tell if it was received. This PLB can tell you when help is on the way. This is one smart PLB that could save your life. $516 acrartex.com
7. Reliefband Seasickness Preventer
If you or a loved one is prone to seasickness, you can get them back on the water with the latest in nausea-prevention wrist bands. The Reliefband Sport is worn like a smartwatch only under your wrist. It uses gentle pulses that literally turn off feelings of nausea in the brain by altering nerve activity in a way the wearer won’t even notice. No drugs and no drowsiness. They even make a Reliefband module that fits on the underside of your Apple or Samsung smartwatch. These are totally waterproof and rugged for the fishing and boating crowd. The Sport is rechargeable and FDA-cleared. From $150 reliefband.com
8. Dakine Fish Bags
Are you one of those lucky anglers whose catch is bigger than the fish box on your boat? Or maybe you don’t have fish boxes at all. You can still put the fish on ice and get them home with a heavy-duty insulated fish bag from Dakine. From 2- and 4-foot freestanding bags to the 4-foot and 6-foor flat bag capable of handling tuna and wahoo, they are built tough. The outer fabric is coated 305D Cordura HP Ripstop nylon and the interior is lined with PVC, which is resistant to pointy fins and teeth. In between is a 20-mm layer of closed-cell foam insulation that will keep ice from melting and keep your fish cold until you get to the dock. There is even a drain plug and they clean up easily with soap and water. From $355 dakine.com
9. Nautical Knots Mug
This container for your favorite hot beverage will keep your knot-tying skills ship shape. The ceramic mug holds 12 ounces of coffee, tea or cocoa, has a handle shaped like a cleat and comes complete with two lengths of “rope,” one gold and one blue, to practice tying the eight most commonly used maritime knots that are emblazoned on the barrel. $20 philosophersguild.com
10. Toadfish Stowaway Folding Fillet Knives
Toadfish has been cranking out great fishing tools since coming on the scene a few years ago. Their new Stowaway folding fillet knife is the latest. The backbone of the folding system is a stainless-steel frame that runs the length of the handle and beyond and totally shields the 7- or 8.5-inch blade when not in use. It terminates in a carabiner clip so the knife can be clipped to your vest, backpack or to your boat. Plus, it’s small enough to store in a tackle box or a galley drawer. Open the blade and it snaps and locks firmly into place. There is no slop or play and it has the secure feeling you get from a fixed knife. The blade and frame are titanium-coated for extended corrosion resistance and the ergonomic handle with its molded-in thumb guard is comfortable enough to use for cleaning a mess of fish. From $40 toadfish.com
11. Simrad Halo 20+ Radar
One of the reasons I chose the Simrad suite of electronics for my 2022 Pathfinder was the great reviews for the Halo 20+ radome. After a year of use it has not disappointed. It has the fastest 360-degree sweep of any brand I’ve tested for near-real time vessel movement tracking (one second at ranges under 1.5 miles), and the ability to display two different ranges simultaneously in split-screen mode. The long-range performance is impressive for such a compact (20-inch diameter) unit thanks to Simrad’s Pulse Compression technology, which provides a mix of long- and short-range detection, high-target definitions and minimal clutter. The unit has harbor, offshore and weather preset modes, plus a custom mode, and I can make and save changes to personalize each mode. The Halo 20+ reaches beyond my purposes (36 to 48 miles depending on the height of the installation), and it can find flocks of birds working over feeding gamefish well beyond what you can see with binoculars. That is a great feature when searching for fish offshore. $2,299 simrad-yachting.com
12. Raymarine Axiom Pro S and Pro S RVM
The latest version of the Axiom family of multifunction displays is loaded with features. Available in 9-, 12- and 16-inch displays they run on super-fast, six-core processors and the intuitive LightHouse 4 operating system. Both iterations include GPS chart plotter and embedded High CHIRP sonar that is great for cruising and sailing vessels. The Pro S models are aimed squarely at the sportfishing market and include more sophisticated sonar options. The Axiom Pro S RVM comes standard with the all-new RealVision MAX 3D sonar built into the network. It operates on a faster ping rate and tighter beams to deliver exceptionally clear imagery of the ocean bottom, bottom composition, fish-holding structure and fish. The system can be networked with multiple screens and peripherals like radar, night vision navigational systems, audio and video entertainment systems, onboard cameras and more. From $2,749 raymarine.com
13. Xtratuf Vintage Ankle Deck Boots
The Vintage is the latest iteration of Xtratuf’s frequently copied Ankle Deck Boot with new colors and pull tabs inspired by nautical cordage. They are available in men’s and women’s sizes. I’m a huge fan of Xtratuf deck boots. I bought the company’s first ankle boot as soon as it became available and have worn them on my boats spring, summer and fall for six years. They provide a superb grip on wet and dry surfaces, and they share the same outsole design and material as the new Vintage. Soundings Art Director Briana Smith says her husband wears them all the time (even when he’s not on their boat) and now she wants a pair too. $115 xtratuf.com
14. Dometic SeaStar Trim Tabs
Trim tabs are pretty basic, right? I thought so, until the Dometic SeaStar system was installed on my 2022 Pathfinder 2700 Open. Dometic has literally reimagined the interface between helmsman and vessel with its unique intelligent dial controller. Gone are the twin rocker switches, replaced by an intuitive dial with four buttons in the center and tab position indicator lights around the circumference. I just turn the dial in the direction I want to level the boat and the actuators adjust the ride accordingly. The Bow Up and Bow Down buttons are used to adjust angle of attack for varying sea conditions. I really like the Favorite (star) button, which saves a specific tab combination in the system memory. My boat tends to ride slightly off keel due to single-engine torque steer, so I use this feature to save the sweet spot and can return to it any time with a single push on the star button. The Home button quickly retracts the tabs while the shaft is pulled into the totally redesigned and sealed actuators. From $1,200 dometic.com
15. Sionyx Nightwave
Boaters who want to add a night vision camera to their navigational suite have a new, more affordable option. The Sionyx Nightwave super low-light camera incorporates a moonless starlight night vision CMOS sensor that turns objects ahead into full-color, real-time video images. Unlike thermal imaging units that display ghost-like images and cost considerably more, the Nightwave clocks in at about half of the least expensive thermals. It can be interfaced with your onboard MFD through its analog video input or on a smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth connection. The camera features a 44-degree field of view that can be manually adjusted up or down. It is IP67-rated for use in the marine environment, and installation is DIY with a drill and basic tools. $1,895 sionyx.com
16. PinUltimate Locking Trailer Hitch Pin
Unfortunately, most locking hitch pins are poorly made and prone to corrosion, especially when used around saltwater. I know this from experience, because I’m on my third set in two years. PinUltimate uses space-age materials and a unique design for its ConnecTrick quick-release system that makes it fast and easy to use without scraping your knuckles or dealing with corroded key holes. The PinUltimate is made out of machined titanium, and the handle and cap are aircraft-grade anodized aluminum. Soundings Executive Editor Pim Van Hemmen used the PinUltimate for an entire season of saltwater dunks and although his trailer hitch looks like heck, the PinUltimate still looks new and his knuckles remain unbloodied. It’s not cheap, but you get what you pay for. $160 pinultimate.com
17. Tsunami SaltX II Spinning Reel
If you’ve ever wanted a premium spinning reel but don’t want to spend $1,000, check out the SaltX II from Tsunami Tackle. This is the most feature-rich reel in its class, and it’s priced under $400. The body, rotor and silky-smooth hammer drag system are made out of A6061 aluminum and the machined stainless steel drive train is bulletproof. Spool lip, bail wire and main shaft are titanium, and the handle shaft is machined aluminum with a non-slip reversable power knob. It is available in four saltwater sizes from inshore to the tuna-size. I’ve used the first generation SaltX reels and they are incredible. With the upgrades, the Gen-II can only get better. From $399 tsunami fishing.com
18. Grundens Pisces Women’s Bibs
My favorite lady angler dreads having to use the head when she’s kitted up in her foul weather gear because it’s such a pain to take them off. Not anymore, because I am ordering her the Grundens Pisces bibs with their Easy Relief system. The relief system works like the rear door in an old-fashioned union suit, but with much better design and zippers. The Pisces is made of a breathable material, tough enough for commercial fishing and designed and tested by Grunden’s female pro staff members. $170 grundens.com
19. PropSpeed & StripSpeed
PropSpeed antifouling coating for your inboard-powered running gear differs from other antifouling coatings because it contains no biocides. It prevents the buildup of marine growth by forming a super-slick surface that barnacles and other marine nasties can’t adhere to. Soundings contributing photographer Onne van der Wal says Propspeed has kept the running gear on his 1986 Grand Banks 32 clean for two years. StripSpeed, which was recently introduced, makes the removal of PropSpeed coatings a quicker, cleaner, faster process. Simply paint StripSpeed on, wait 30 minutes and scrape it off. Unlike abrasives, Stripspeed doesn’t cause mechanical wear and doesn’t create toxic dusts or debris. Propspeed from $178. StripSpeed from $70 propspeed.com
20. Revere 4 Person Life Raft
If your boat doesn’t have room for a full-size life raft, check out the Revere Compact. It comes in a remarkably small valise that is light, easy to deploy, and will fit up to four souls. Revere says it bridges the gap between a life vest and a full-blown life raft, but despite its size and price is big on features. It includes double 200-pound Super Rev ballast pockets, a rescue ring, grasp lines, a sea anchor, a full rain and sun protection canopy and a sealed, non-refillable charging cylinder. $1,650 landfall.com
21. Minn Kota Riptide Instinct Quest
I recently fished aboard a 35-foot Contender with the Riptide Instinct’s predecessor and was blown away by its performance. Imagine bottom fishing in 15-knot winds without an anchor. The built-in GPS can hold position, maintain drift speed and direction regardless of the wind or current, or be driven manually from a remote you can wear around your neck. You don’t have to lower or raise it manually because it has an auto stow/deploy function. According to Minn Kota, the Riptide Instinct’s all-new brushless motor runs up to 30 percent longer while providing 50 percent greater torque. Available in 24- and 36-volt models with shaft lengths up to 100 inches, the Riptide Instinct should have no trouble handling boats even bigger than that 35-foot Contender. From $4,399 minnkota.johnsonoutdoors.com
This article was originally published in the December 2023 issue.
