Think ahead: five smart ideas for your summer boating

The true sailor can think ahead. Those who have time don’t wait, if you don’t want to find yourself (as is often the case) having to hurriedly buy what you need to enjoy your summer cruise to the fullest in the last five minutes before setting sail (risking mistakes and spending more). We provide five ideas to make your summer boating easier, more fun, more useful and safer. Five smart products from energy to safety, from maintenance to entertainment.

FIVE CRAFTY IDEAS AHEAD OF SUMMER

1. MARY POPPINS’ CASE FOR WASHING THE OUTBOARD.

They are designed to work in salt water, but in the long run, salt is what damages them. We are talking about the small outboard motors, which you use as a source of propulsion for your dinghies. To ensure your effective maintenance, a “magic case” has arrived that encloses a very easy-to-use outboard washing kit. With this solution (which costs 299 euros). you can preserve the engine cooling circuit and water impeller over time.

The kit consists of a 12 V electric pump which will be connected to a regular battery like the one you have on board; the hoses, which will be connected to the engine’s water intake on one side and simply inserted into a bucket of water on the other; an automatic switch to start the system; and finally the case, which has the dimensions of 420x250x200 mm and fits comfortably in a locker. You will then avoid having to run the outboard motor in fresh water for the classic twenty minutes by using wash caps laced to a water hose and placed on the water intake slots.
FIND IT HERE.

2. SINCE YOU WILL HAVE TO UPGRADE VHF WITH DSC, MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICE
Beware, it is more than likely that the law will change and you will necessarily have to equip yourself with VHF with DSC (the famous red button with which you can launch SOS to all nearby boats and coastal stations). Then, you might as well, choose a reliable fixed product so that you won’t have any nasty surprises: for 256 euros you take home the Cobra Marine MR F57 radio, equipped with a DSC system, a large display and many useful functions.

We reveal two, the function Radio Check allows you to make a check of the transmit battery voltage, RF transmission power, and antenna operation (so you will have no doubt about the efficiency of our VHF), and Rewind Say Again will enable you, should you be unable to perfectly hear an important message received because of the wind, to listen to it again. The chassis is made of die-cast aluminum with generous cooling fins, and the waterproof standard is IPx7. A flush mount and bracket installation kit are included.
FIND IT HERE.

3. THE CATWALK THAT WEIGHS ONLY 8 KILOGRAMS.
No more “banging” on the cruise. The walkways produced by Slovenian Polymer are made of high-end carbon composite: are available in both fixed 2.2-meter and collapsible versions (2.2 and 2.8 m) and weigh very little (8 kg the fixed, 8.5 kg the collapsible 2.2 m). In addition, they have many other advantages: they are buoyant and have a non-slip surface, all materials are treated with UV protection, and the side portions have an anti-scratch system. They come with included all the fittings needed for installation. For all models, the estimated load capacity is 300 kg. From 799 euros.
HERE THE FIXED VERSION AND HERE THE FOLDING VERSION

4. THE DERIVAL… THAT FITS IN A BAG
It’s dinghy, SUP, windsurf, dinghy, sundeck platform, five in one. Aquaglide’s Multisport 270 is a fun dinghy that is a champion in pliability: in fact, it transforms from sailboat to windsurfer or tender in a matter of minutes, and it also delivers excitement when towing your boat.

It sails safely at up to 18 knots of air, has a hull that makes it very stable (so ideal for novices), and the inflatable hull can be stowed in a convenient bag (designed so that it can also be accepted as airline luggage) in less than 10 minutes. Not to mention that it can be used as a floating platform or more simply as a sunbed in the roadstead! From 1,129 euros.
FIND IT HERE.

5. SOLAR ENERGY FOR EVERYONE, IN THE SIMPLEST WAY POSSIBLE
It often happens that shipowners, tantalized by the installation of solar panels on board because it is a clean way to get energy, change their minds at the last minute because they do not know where to put them and have heard rumors about their low yield. The hi-tech flexible solar panel kits provided by Giocosolutions dispel any doubts.

Available in three configurations, 75-, 85-, and 95-watt (plus a 115-watt for mounting on draperies), starting at 519 euros, they are simple to install: the kit consists of a monocrystalline (and therefore higher energy-yielding) panel, an MPTT charge controller (capable of optimizing panel yield even in shade), connection cables and eyelets, which will allow you to mount it anywhere. From the drapes to the stern pulpit, from the awning to the deck (also because they are walkable panels). After finding a location for the panel, simply connect its watertight connectors and bring the cables and below deck, up to the charge controller and then connect the cables from the charge controller to the battery with a screwdriver.
FIND THEM HERE.