Safety Equipment • 11/06/2025 Navigating Safely: Essential Yacht Safety Equipment Every Owner Must Update Regularly
Product Test • 12/05/2026 ACR ResQFlare PRO Review: a practical electronic flare that beats expired pyros (with one confusing detail) ★★★★★ ★★★★★ The ACR ResQFlare PRO is a practical piece of safety gear that trades the drama of burning flares for steady, predictable LED performance. It’s bright enough to be seen from a good distance, the SOS pattern is clear, and the 360° visibility plus automatic upright floating design make sense on the wa... by Christophe Leblanc
Product Test • 12/05/2026 RescueME EDF2 Review: a safer, reusable alternative to traditional boat flares ★★★★★ ★★★★★ After using the Ocean Signal RescueME EDF2 for a couple of months, I’d sum it up as a solid, practical bit of safety gear that actually solves some everyday problems boaters have with traditional flares. It’s bright enough to be noticed, the SOS pattern is clear, and the fact it floats and self-righ... by Genevieve Dupont
Product Test • 12/05/2026 Sirius Signal C-1002 Review: a practical LED flare replacement that actually feels boat-ready ★★★★★ ★★★★★ The Sirius Signal C-1002 is a solid choice if you’re serious about marine safety and tired of dealing with traditional flares. It’s bright, easy to operate, and clearly visible, especially with the two‑color flash pattern that stands out against shoreline lights. The fact that it comes as a complete... by Christophe Leblanc
Product Test • 12/05/2026 Crewsaver Crewfit 165N Sport Automatic Lifejacket Review: a light, no-nonsense jacket for casual boating ★★★★★ ★★★★★ The Crewsaver Crewfit 165N Sport Automatic Lifejacket is a practical, no-nonsense option for people who spend weekends on the water and want something they’ll actually wear. It’s light, compact, and comfortable enough to keep on for several hours without constantly adjusting it or feeling strangled... by Tanaka Hiroshi
Product Test • 12/05/2026 Spinlock Deckvest LITE Lifejacket Review: a low-profile auto-inflating jacket you actually keep on ★★★★★ ★★★★★ The Spinlock Deckvest LITE (Graphite Black) is a solid, comfortable automatic lifejacket for people who actually spend time on the water and want something they’ll keep on all day. The big plus points are the neoprene neck panel, the low-profile design, and the generally good build quality. It feels... by Tanaka Hiroshi
Crewsaver Crewfit 180N Pro Review: a compact inshore lifejacket that you actually keep on all day Product Test • 12/05/2026 Crewsaver Crewfit 180N Pro Review: a compact inshore lifejacket that you actually keep on all day ★★★★★ ★★★★★ The Crewsaver Crewfit 180N Pro is a solid, no‑nonsense inshore lifejacket that focuses on the right things: comfort, compact size, and practical safety features. The 180N buoyancy and chin support give good confidence once inflated, and the EXOLOK cylinder lock plus side‑zip access make routine chec... by Lorenza Romano
Product Test • 12/05/2026 OROOTL 1/2in x 50FT Dock Line Review: a straightforward nylon rope that gets the job done ★★★★★ ★★★★★ Overall, the OROOTL 1/2in x 50FT double braided dock line is a straightforward, decent-quality rope that does what most small-boat owners need. It’s soft, easy to handle, and the built-in 12" eye splice is handy for quick docking setups. The nylon construction gives you the stretch and shock absorpt... by Lorenza Romano
Product Test • 12/05/2026 CarBole Nylon Boat Rope Review: long, strong and cheap… but annoying to uncoil ★★★★★ ★★★★★ This CarBole 12 mm x 61 m nylon rope is basically a solid, no-frills workhorse. The rope itself is decent: good strength for its size, proper double-braid nylon, and versatile enough for anchoring, docking, hauling, and general outdoor use. I’ve pulled on it hard in a few different scenarios and nev... by Genevieve Dupont
Product Test • 12/05/2026 DQ-PP Jute Rope Review: chunky natural rope that’s strong but not fancy ★★★★★ ★★★★★ This DQ-PP 20 m, 26 mm jute-style rope is a chunky, straightforward rope that gets the job done for home, garden and light boat use. It’s thick enough to feel solid as a handrail, strong enough for normal pulling and tying jobs, and has that natural, rustic look a lot of people want around wood and... by Clive Harrington
Savage Island 18mm Mooring Lines Review: basic but tough ropes that do the job Product Test • 12/05/2026 Savage Island 18mm Mooring Lines Review: basic but tough ropes that do the job ★★★★★ ★★★★★ If you strip it down, these Savage Island 18mm mooring lines are plain but reliable ropes. Two 10m polyester lines with spliced eyes, chunky enough to feel secure, and built well enough that I’m happy using them as main bow and stern lines on a 7m boat. They don’t try to be fancy: no special colours... by Aria Johansson
Product Test • 12/05/2026 vidaXL 20mm Polypropylene Boat Rope Review: a chunky workhorse for boats, gardens and DIY jobs ★★★★★ ★★★★★ After using the vidaXL 20 mm x 50 m polypropylene rope for a few weeks in different situations—mooring, clothes line, camping, tying gear—I’d sum it up like this: it’s a chunky, straightforward work rope that does what it’s supposed to do. The specs are solid, the handling is decent once you get use... by Liam McAllister
Product Test • 12/05/2026 WINCHMAX 17,000lb 24v Winch Review: a heavy, hard‑pulling workhorse for recovery trucks ★★★★★ ★★★★★ For a 24v recovery truck or a heavy 4x4 that actually sees work, the WINCHMAX 17,000lb winch is a solid, no-nonsense option. It’s heavy, loud, and not exactly pretty, but it pulls hard and so far it has handled everything I’ve thrown at it: dead vans, stuck 4x4s, and awkward loads up ramps. The stee... by Lorenza Romano
Product Test • 12/05/2026 Ocean Signal rescueME MOB2 Review: compact AIS beacon that actually fits on a lifejacket ★★★★★ ★★★★★ The Ocean Signal rescueME MOB2 is a serious safety tool for people who actually spend time offshore or sailing at night, not a gadget you buy just to feel good. It’s compact, light, and integrates well with modern AIS and DSC setups, which means if you go overboard, your own boat and nearby vessels... by Isabella Cortez
Product Test • 12/05/2026 Icom IC-M94D Review: a handheld VHF with AIS that actually feels useful on a small boat ★★★★★ ★★★★★ After using the Icom IC-M94D Euro for a few weeks on different boats, my conclusion is simple: it’s a proper tool for people who care about safety and traffic awareness, not just a basic walkie-talkie for shouting on channel 16. The combo of AIS, DSC and GPS in a floating handheld is genuinely usefu... by Clive Harrington
Product Test • 12/05/2026 Cobra BlueBound 350 Review: a straightforward floating VHF that just does its job ★★★★★ ★★★★★ The Cobra BlueBound 350 is a practical, straightforward handheld VHF that does what most boaters actually need: it floats, it flashes if it goes overboard, it’s properly waterproof, and the battery lasts a full day on the water. The screen is readable in sun and at night, the buttons are simple, and... by Tanaka Hiroshi
Product Test • 12/05/2026 Retevis RB648 Walkie Talkies Review: rugged jobsite radios that take real abuse ★★★★★ ★★★★★ The Retevis RB648 6-pack is a solid choice if you’re looking for jobsite or industrial walkie talkies that can handle rough treatment. They’re not fancy, but they’re tough, easy to spot, and practical to use with gloves. The IP67 waterproof rating, reinforced clips, and generally rugged build all fe... by Lorenza Romano
Product Test • 12/05/2026 Standard Horizon HX891BT/E Review: a tough handheld VHF with GPS that mostly stays out of your way ★★★★★ ★★★★★ After using the Standard Horizon HX891BT/E in real conditions, my takeaway is that it’s a solid, serious handheld VHF aimed at people who actually spend time on the water and care about safety. The radio performance is reliable, the 6W output and clear audio do the job, and the built-in GPS plus flo... by Isabella Cortez
Product Test • 12/05/2026 Icom M25EVO Blue Review: a lightweight floating VHF that just quietly does its job ★★★★★ ★★★★★ After using the Icom M25EVO Blue on the water, my overall take is pretty straightforward: it’s a reliable, lightweight handheld VHF that does the basics well and doesn’t create drama. The battery life is honest, the USB-C charging is genuinely practical on a modern boat, and the floating waterproof... by Genevieve Dupont
Product Test • 12/05/2026 Garmin GPSMAP 86i Review: solid marine GPS with real offshore peace of mind ★★★★★ ★★★★★ After using the Garmin GPSMAP 86i on several trips, my take is pretty straightforward: as a marine backup GPS with real satellite SOS, it does its job well. The GPS accuracy is solid, it floats, it’s readable in bright sun, and it feels built for rough, wet conditions. The inReach messaging and SOS... by Liam McAllister
Safety Equipment • 25/11/2025 Protecting your investment: the importance of mercury outboard engine covers for yacht owners Explore why mercury outboard engine covers are essential for yacht owners, how to choose the right one, and tips for maintenance to ensure your engine stays in top condition. by Genevieve Dupont
