Blog

Maintenance Tips

Spotlight

Deeper CHIRP+ 4 Review: smart castable sonar that actually tells you what’s under you (most of the time)

Product Test

•

12/05/2026

Deeper CHIRP+ 4 Review: smart castable sonar that actually tells you what’s under you (most of the time)

Understanding the Role of Cutlass Bearings in Yacht Maintenance

Mastering the Art of Spring Lines in Yachting

Seasonal Care

•

15/07/2025

Mastering the Art of Spring Lines in Yachting

Standard Horizon HX891BT/E Review: a tough handheld VHF with GPS that mostly stays out of your way

Product Test

•

12/05/2026

Standard Horizon HX891BT/E Review: a tough handheld VHF with GPS that mostly stays out of your way

★★★★★ ★★★★★

Our latest product comparisons

Comparison

The best boat bimini tops: our top 7 (2026)

Sun Shade Sail Waterproof, 3 x 18.5 m Rectangle Backyard Shade Canopy High-Density UV Block Shade Canopy Cover Outdoor Sunshade Cloth for Deck Patio Garden Pool WLR010, Grey

WLRHGl

3 x 18.5 m Waterproof Rectangle Sun Shade Sail (Grey)

★★★★★ ★★★★★ 9.0/10

+ Very thick PVC material with a sturdy feel and good waterproofing

+ Lots of metal eyelets (every ~50 cm) and reinforced edges for solid fixing

Seamander 3 Bow Bimini Tops for Boats,Boat Canopy Cover Top with Mounting Hardware (Burgundy, 6'L x 85"-90" W x 46" H)

★★★★★ ★★★★★ 8.7/10

Premium Fabric Boat Bimini Top Canopy, 4 Bow, Multiple Colour & Size Option 230-250cm Light Grey

★★★★★ ★★★★★ 8.5/10

See full comparison →

Comparison

Top 6: best boat covers for storage (2026)

5-ply 1200D Boat Cover with Storage Bag, Widened Straps for Trailering & Mooring, Fits 22-24ft Bass Boat, V-Hull, Tri-Hull Runabout Pro-Style Fishing Boat - Waterproof Anti-uv and Breathable Black Length 22'-24', Beam width up to 102''

★★★★★ ★★★★★ 8.6/10

+ Thick 1200D solution-dyed fabric with strong stitching that feels genuinely durable

+ Good waterproofing and wind resistance when paired with proper strap setup

Classic Accessories

StormPro Boat Cover 12-14 ft x 68" Beam with Support Pole

★★★★★ ★★★★★ 8.4/10

Center Console Boat Cover 24-26ft, Trailerable T-Top/Hard-Top Boat Cover, Heavy Duty Marine Grade Oxford Waterproof Boat Covers Gray 24'-26' Long (Beam Width Up to 114")

★★★★★ ★★★★★ 8.2/10

See full comparison →

Our latest product reviews

EVERLASTO

100M TRADE REELS EVERLASTO BLUE POLYPROPYLENE POLY ROPE 6MM...

A no-nonsense workhorse for everyday jobs

8.6/10 ★★★★★ ★★★★★

Value for money ★★★★★ ★★★★★

Design ★★★★★ ★★★★★

Materials ★★★★★ ★★★★★

Durability ★★★★★ ★★★★★

Read full review

Heavy Duty Mainsail Boom Cover, Waterproof Oxford Cloth Sail...

A no-name sail cover that’s cheap, chunky, and mostly gets the job done

8.0/10 ★★★★★ ★★★★★

Value for money ★★★★★ ★★★★★

Design ★★★★★ ★★★★★

Materials ★★★★★ ★★★★★

Durability ★★★★★ ★★★★★

Read full review

Last posts

First summer as an owner: the small maintenance routines that quietly preserve the season's enjoyment

Seasonal Care

•

03/07/2026

First summer as an owner: the small maintenance routines that quietly preserve the season's enjoyment

Build a first summer yacht owner maintenance playbook with weekly 30-minute checks, monthly deep inspections and end-of-season debriefs that protect safety, reliability and resale value.

Deeper CHIRP+ 3 Review: a compact sonar that actually makes sense from shore or kayak

Product Test

•

30/06/2026

Deeper CHIRP+ 3 Review: a compact sonar that actually makes sense from shore or kayak

★★★★★ ★★★★★

After using the Deeper CHIRP+ 3 in different situations, I’d sum it up like this: it’s a practical, well-built tool that helps you understand what’s under the water faster, but it’s not magic and it’s not cheap. The sonar detail and 3D mapping are genuinely useful once you spend a bit of time learni...

Holt XR1 Triple Rope Clutch Review: a straightforward stopper that does the job without fuss

★★★★★ ★★★★★

After a few weekends of real use, I’d sum up this Holt XR1 triple rope clutch as a straightforward, reliable bit of deck gear. It grips standard 6–11 mm cruising lines well, the levers are easy to operate even with gloves, and the composite build feels solid enough for normal coastal sailing. It’s n...

Lowrance Halo 20+ Radar Review: compact dome that seriously upgrades your situational awareness

★★★★★ ★★★★★

The Lowrance Halo 20+ is a solid fit if you already run Lowrance gear and actually use your boat in conditions where visibility isn’t always perfect. The fast short‑range sweep, clear target separation, and Doppler coloring aren’t just nice extras; they genuinely help you read traffic and avoid trou...

Fuel-burn diagnostics on a long cruising week: reading the tank gauge like a delivery skipper does

Learn how to monitor yacht fuel consumption over a full cruising week, build accurate baselines, read fuel-burn anomalies and log data that cuts costs and funds your next refit.

ECO-WORTHY Flexible Solar Panel 260W Review: light, bendy and surprisingly punchy for vans and boats

Product Test

•

17/06/2026

ECO-WORTHY Flexible Solar Panel 260W Review: light, bendy and surprisingly punchy for vans and boats

★★★★★ ★★★★★

After a few weeks of use on a camper and a small shed, I’d sum up the ECO‑WORTHY 2×130W flexible solar panels as lightweight, practical, and decent performers, with the usual trade‑offs of flexible tech. They don’t hit the full 260W in real conditions, but seeing 160–190W in good sun is realistic, a...

Fusion RA70 Review: a straightforward marine radio with Bluetooth that just works

★★★★★ ★★★★★

The Fusion RA70 is a straightforward marine stereo that focuses on the basics: reliable Bluetooth, decent sound, and a design that can actually handle life on a boat. After using it across several trips, I’d sum it up as “nothing flashy, but it works and doesn’t give you headaches.” The built-in amp...

by Isabella Cortez

Silva 70UN Compass Review: a versatile little boat compass that mostly gets the job done

Product Test

•

17/06/2026

Silva 70UN Compass Review: a versatile little boat compass that mostly gets the job done

★★★★★ ★★★★★

After using the Silva 70UN across a few small boats, my conclusion is simple: it’s a practical, compact compass that suits casual boating very well, with a few clear limits. The flexible bracket, dual reading scales, and option to pull it out for handheld use make it genuinely handy on cramped cockp...

by Liam McAllister

Attwood Light Armor Underwater LED Light Review: a tough, bright transom light that mostly just does its job

Product Test

•

17/06/2026

Attwood Light Armor Underwater LED Light Review: a tough, bright transom light that mostly just does its job

★★★★★ ★★★★★

After using the Attwood Light Armor 6‑LED white underwater light on my boat for a few outings, my overall take is: it’s a tough, no‑nonsense light that favors durability and simplicity over flash. The build quality feels genuinely marine‑grade, with 316 stainless, a thick impact‑resistant lens, seal...

by Christophe Leblanc

Humminbird XPLORE 12 Review: a bright, fast fish finder with strong sonar but pricey maps

Product Test

•

17/06/2026

Humminbird XPLORE 12 Review: a bright, fast fish finder with strong sonar but pricey maps

★★★★★ ★★★★★

Overall, the Humminbird XPLORE 12 is a strong, modern fish finder with a genuinely useful 12-inch screen, clear MEGA Side/Down Imaging, and a user-friendly interface. The mix of touchscreen and physical buttons works well in real conditions, and the unit feels fast and responsive. Features like Auto...

Propeller care between haul-outs: the gentle frequent clean that keeps fuel burn honest

Calm, expert guidance on yacht propeller maintenance between haul-outs, from diver routines to coatings, fuel-burn clues and corrosion control for serious owners.

Akozon 316 Stainless Dock Cleat Review: compact mooring bollard that feels properly heavy-duty

Product Test

•

05/06/2026

Akozon 316 Stainless Dock Cleat Review: compact mooring bollard that feels properly heavy-duty

★★★★★ ★★★★★

If you need a compact, solid cleat for a small boat, jetski, tender, or a floating platform, this Akozon 316 stainless dock cleat is a pretty solid option. It feels dense in the hand, the mirror-polished finish looks clean, and in real use it holds lines without slipping or chewing them up. After a...

Geloo Boat Stereo Marine Speaker MP3 Review: cheap marine radio that works… when it works

★★★★★ ★★★★★

The Geloo Boat Stereo Marine MP3 is a budget marine radio that does the basics: FM/AM, Bluetooth streaming, USB, and simple EQ. When you get a working unit, it actually delivers a decent experience for casual use. Sound is fine for a small boat, radio reception is surprisingly good, and Bluetooth pa...

Garmin GMR Fantom 24x Review: a solid dome radar for skippers who actually go out in bad weather

★★★★★ ★★★★★

The Garmin GMR Fantom 24x is a solid, no-nonsense dome radar for people who actually plan to use radar as a real tool, not just a gadget. The 50-watt solid-state output, MotionScope Doppler and dual range all come together to give you a clear, usable picture in fog, at night and in busy channels. It...

Rhino USA Retractable Boat Trailer Straps Review: quicker tie-downs without loose webbing everywhere

★★★★★ ★★★★★

Overall, the Rhino USA retractable boat trailer straps are a practical upgrade if you tow a small to mid‑size boat or jet ski regularly and you’re tired of loose ratchet straps. They bolt onto the trailer, stay there, and make tying down the transom quicker and cleaner. In my use, they held the boat...

True 900D Ski & Wakeboard Tower Boat Cover Review: a heavy-duty cover that mostly does what it promises

★★★★★ ★★★★★

Overall, this Tuszom "True 900D" ski and wakeboard tower boat cover does what most people need: it keeps the boat dry, it handles basic trailering, and it feels noticeably tougher than the bargain-bin covers. The fabric is the strong point here—thick, decently coated, and paired with a snug elastic...

Ritchie S-53 Explorer Compass Review: a simple, no-nonsense boat compass that just does its job

★★★★★ ★★★★★

After using the Ritchie S-53 Explorer Compass for a while, my conclusion is pretty simple: it’s a solid, no-nonsense boat compass that does its job without drama. The card settles quickly, the heading is trustworthy once you install it away from interference, and the 2 3/4-inch dial is easy to read...

WAVESRX TriAnchor 7lb Bundle Review: a compact anchor that actually holds in real conditions

★★★★★ ★★★★★

Overall, the WAVESRX TriAnchor 7 lb bundle is a compact anchor system that actually performs like a bigger anchor. On my 19' boat and on PWCs, it has set quickly and held well in sand, mud, and mixed rocky bottoms, including in decent current and windy conditions. The bungee line isn’t just a gimmic...

by Christophe Leblanc

BoatBuckle G2 Transom Tie Down Straps Review: Retractable boat straps that actually save time at the ramp

Product Test

•

29/05/2026

BoatBuckle G2 Transom Tie Down Straps Review: Retractable boat straps that actually save time at the ramp

★★★★★ ★★★★★

The BoatBuckle G2 2x43-inch transom straps are basically a quality-of-life upgrade for anyone who’s tired of fighting with loose ratchet straps at the boat ramp. They bolt onto the trailer, the extra webbing retracts into the housing, and you just hook and ratchet. In day-to-day use, that means fast...

Zinc anodes done right: the cheap habit that quietly saves the running gear summer after summer

Learn how disciplined yacht zinc anodes maintenance, correct anode material choice and proper bonding protect your hull, props and running gear from galvanic corrosion while keeping long-term ownership costs down.