New Products / Gadgets
5/22/2005 10:20:14 AM by BOBBYE KENYON
New version of popular cover
ANCHORSHADE
The major and minor structural ribsof the umbrella frame cover are nowstronger and more flexible. The ribswill take higher wind gusts withoutbreaking. The fabric top has beenconverted to allow venting to occurwithout loss of sun protection. TheAnchorShade is designed to provideeasy-to-install protection from thesun when anchored, moored oridling on a calm day. The lightweightmildew- and fade-resistantnylon top is available in six differentcolors. Adjustable straps with noncorrosivehardware provide mountingflexibility for a wide range ofapplications.www.taylormadeproducts.com MSRP: $200
All-in-one unit has all the bells, whistles
FURUNO
Furuno's new GP7000F/NT combinesa GPS/WAAS, chart plotterand fish finder in a single, compact,waterproof color LCD display. Idealfor smaller boats and pleasure craft,it delivers vivid pictures on a seveninchwide color LCD screen. It incorporatesa new ultra bright displaywith an anti-reflective coating thatenhances its sunlight view ability. Italso features extremely wide viewingangles, so you can see the displayfrom nearly anywhere on theboat. It also features built-in alarmfunctions to alert the user when thevessel enters or leaves a pre-definedarea, exceeds a preset limit orapproaches a dangerous area.www.furuno.com360-834-9300 MSRP: $1,300
Wave is fast and stable
HOBIE
Hobie's new Wave offers remarkablequickness while providing great carryingcapacity and stability. TheWave is quick to assemble, fast, andexciting to sail. Hobie's roto-moldedpolyethylene manufacturing processmakes the 13-foot catamaran lightweight(245 pounds), yet durable. It isalso available in the Wave ClubEdition with a three-piece trampoline.www.hobiecat.com MSRP: $4,195
No more tangled hoses on deck
OCEAN EQUIPMENT
The heavy duty Hose Coil has a 50percent thicker wall than the standardor automotive series. Flex reliefon both ends and strain relief providessupport and rigidity thatkeeps the hose from kinking. Itcomes with an adjustable seven-patternspray nozzle, soft rubber finnedgrip, stainless steel components andlocking latch. The brass swivelreduces tangling of the hose. A quickrelease allows for easy switchingbetween nozzles. The UV protectivepolyurethane Hose Coil is self coilingand comes with a mesh storage bag.www.oceanequipment.com MSRP: $17.99
Portable fishfinder has remote sensor
HUMMINBIRD
The Humminbird Piranhamax 30portable fishfinder features a high definitiondisplay with a new SmartCastadvanced remote sonar sensor, watertemperature and programmable lightfor night fishing. It has easy one-touchcontrol accesses to a full set ofadvanced features. It also has traditional20 degree single-beam sonar toa depth of 600 feet. The SmartCast 90degree single-beam wireless sonar hasan operating range of 100 feet and adepth capacity of 120 feet. Watertemperature is relayed from thetransducer. Its ultra-compact size canbe mounted almost anywhere.www.humminbird.com MSRP: $199.99
Marine speaker system sets newstandard
KENWOOD
Setting new standards for marineaudio, Kenwood's engineers havedesigned new marine audio speakersystems to provide optimum musicalperformance and durability in thewatercraft environment. The KFC-1652MR 6.5-inch two-way speakersare ruggedly built. Beautifully styled,the speakers provide outstandingmusical performance. With 120watts of power handling capability,the all-weather speakers featurewaterproof cone fabrication, UVresistant grilles, durable speakerframes and a balanced dome tweeter.The KFC-1652MR is available ineither white or black.www.kenwood.com MSRP: $149
NavPod instrument housing unveiled
OCEAN EQUIPMENT
Sporting a new industrial design,Ocean Equipment's Grand Prix Seriesof SailPods and PowerPods provideboaters with increased flexibility andmounting options for the latestmarine electronics. Building on thetraits of rugged quality and durabilityof the original NavPod products, theGrand Prix Series adds a double sealfor improved watertight integrity.Manufactured for both power andsail applications, the units offer theclean look of flush mounting withconcealed wiring, and enhance thesafety of expensive electronicsexposed to the elements of rain, saltspray and ultraviolet rays.www.oceanequipment.com603-487-2038 MSRP: $380
A favorite reel has major overhaul
PENN
Already a favorite of many freshwaterand saltwater anglers, the PennPower Graph went through somemajor overhauls the past year byadding two ball bearings and amachined handle for increased performanceand reliability. Now withfive ball bearings, the Power GraphV still features Penn's powerful MPS(Multi-Point Stopper) anti-reversesystem for fish-fighting reliability,and a balanced rotor for all-day fishingcomfort.www.pennreels.com MSRP: $39.99
Compass is easily adjustable
RITCHIE
The Ritchie Angler compass is easilyadjustable with a bracket mount andthumb-screws. It has a no-glare grayfinish with high-visibility blue dialthat provides easy viewing. Internalgreen night lighting comes in veryhandy. It is also equipped withbuilt-in compensators to easilyadjust for deviation and a movablesun shield. Ritchie compasses useDirectiveForce magnets. The compassis 100 percent repairable andcomes with a five-year warranty.www.ritchienavigation.com MSRP: $51.99
Catch some air
AFTERBURNER TOWABLE
Designed for one or two riders, thisopen back towable offers the ease ofentry while, structurally, providing amore raucous ride. Neoprenepads help keep you on board.www.stearnsinc.com MSRP: $247.99
Trim tabs are a must
BENNETT
A common complaint amongboaters is I only have two speeds --trolling and full throttle. With trimtabs a boat can run at intermediatespeeds while staying on plane. Thebenefits of adding Bennett Trim Tabsinclude increased speed, reducedpounding, corrected listing and offsettingprop torque. They alsoreduce fuel consumption, enginelaboring, and eliminate squatting --not to mention improved visibility,reduced wake size, improved handlingand reduced hull stress.www.bennetttrimtabs.com MSRP: $600
Micronet wireless instrument system
TACKTICK
Tacktick offers a range of wirelessnetworkingmarine electronicsforsail andpower boatsof all sizes.The company'sMicronetwireless system consists of solarpowered electronics that use lowpower, high speed radio communicationprotocol to produce electronicsthat are wireless and waterproof. Youdon't have to take down the overhead,run wires through the mast orbehind furniture. Now an instrumentpackage can be installed withoutdrawing power from a sailboat'sbatteries.www.tacktick.com603-487-2038
Large screwed lights for fiberglass hulls
UNDERWATER LIGHTS
This light can be installed in the transomor hull and is suitable for boatswith 110-230 volt power systems. Thevessel must be hauled out for installationalthough the lamp change ismade from inside the hull. The metalhalide lamp has a life span of up to6,000 hours, is not susceptible tovibration damage and can be left onall night. Whether you are raisingfish, or just looking to illuminate theworld beneath you, UnderwaterLights has a lighting product to fit theapplication.www.underwaterlightsusa.com954-760-4447 MSRP: $2,332
New fixedmount VHFradio
UNIDEN
Equippedwith cutting-edgetechnology,the UnidenUM525 is aquality fixed mount VHFradio at an affordable price.Key features include a threeinchdiagonal, brightly lit LCD displaywith built-in 30-watt hailer withintercom, PAand programmed fogbells and whistles. It is GPS intuitiveand can determine the proper fogblast pattern and recommendedchannel band. All U.S., internationaland Canadian marine channels areavailable. It also has programmablescan and Triple Watch Plus emergencychannel monitoring, and aspeaker microphone with one-touchfor emergency 16/9 key andup/down channel select. They areavailable in black or white.www.uniden.com MSRP: $199.99
230 Series has power to spare
YAMAHA
Yamaha's newest addition, the SX230,is a 23-foot, open bow boat poweredby twin Yamaha High Outputengines for a combined 320 horsepower.With power to pull skiers andwake-boarders and a full load of passengers,these engines will have thevessel trimmed and on plane fasterthan comparable stern drive boats.And, for long no wake zones,Yamaha's all-new No Wake Modesets the engine RPM to no wakespeed with the touch of a button.www.yamaha-motor.com MSRP: $32,499