Gear

Garmin’s GPSMap 86 series offers more tools than the average handheld unit.

So many apps now exist for boat owners that they can replace some dedicated helm equipment.

SiriusXM Marine’s Fish Mapping service uses satellite data to show anglers where the bite should be hot.

Vesper Cortex combines a VHF RADIO with AIS technology to make your boat more visible

Which wireless man- overboard system is right for your style of cruising?

FLIR improves on its line of robust visible cameras with five new models

Vesper unveils combination AIS, VHF radio and boat monitor.

Staying connected can be a challenge when you’re spending long periods of time afloat, but this liveaboard family has internet and cell phone service all figured out.

A slew of monitors, products connected to one another (the Internet of Things) and “smart” devices will be on display at the boat shows this fall, promising to make all of our boating lives better.

In 2015, I tested the first electronic distress signal that could effectively and legally replace the flares that the U.S. Coast Guard requires on most of our boats. Hot flares always struck me as a dangerous way to seek help.

The ROAM app released by U.S. Customs and Border Protection lets boaters report their return to U.S. waters by way of smartphone or tablet.

Dockmate’s wireless remote system is helpful in surprising ways.

Raymarine’s new DockSense takes the anxiety out of getting in and out of a slip.

Boat shows are in full swing across the country. New and exciting boat models are all the rage. Realistically, not everyone wants a new boat as many boaters are still in love with the looks of the classic boat they already have.

I believe that VHF radios from the big four MFD manufacturers are primarily offered so that boat builders and customers can put a single brand of electronics at the helm.

The SoftScience Fin 2.0 water shoe is built to be lightweight and odor-resistant, to dry quickly, and to keep water out with a self-draining system.

Vetus has expanded its line of Bow Pro series thrusters to include models for 45- to 80-foot vessels. The Bow Pro Boosted thrusters use a brushless motor that’s reportedly maintenance-free for 12-volt or 24-volt inputs, and is designed to fit tunnel sizes up to 250 mm. The thrusters come with a standard or a fully proportional control panel and now have unlimited run-time. Price: $2,169 to $4,519.