Several weeks ago, we told you about an amazing folding crab trap called the Stow-B-Low Crab Pod. I’ve got a small boat, and I’m primarily a cruiser, but golly, I like crab. If only I could have a crab trap with me, all the time, without having an enormous, hideous rusty-pokey-snaggy thing monopolizing the cockpit. The Stow-B-Low seems like a great alternative. The only thing (besides the price) dissuading me is the fact that it doesn’t really LOOK like other crab traps you see. I don’t really know that much about crabbing. This rig MIGHT work great, but… Suffice to say I’m waiting to hear the good news before I buy one.

And then I stumbled across a serious competitor. Behold the Flex Fold Crab Trap.

This one ain’t cheap, either, but wow…it looks like a 3/4 scale version of the big commercial rigs. It has real gates. It’s made in Victoria, Canada, by a fellow named Mark Philbrook. It collapses in a really clever way, stowing into a bag that is just 17 inches in diameter and 2 inches thick. Heck, I’ve even got a spot like that on my boat. I think it may be time to procure a Stow-B-Low and a Flex Fold, and have us a crab-off! Manufacturers, please feel free to contact Navagear about providing review samples

I’m a little surprized I haven’t seen a retailer put together a fairly comprehensive sail repair kit in a nice little toolbox like this before. Sure, offshore sailors and cruisers may prefer to shop for their sail repair gear à la carte, but this would be great for a one design racers. At the least, it might inspire you about what you want in your sail repair kit.

Quantum Annapolis now stocks Sail Repair Kits that can be customized for each individual customer. Whether you have a TP52 or J24, these kits will come with the neccessary parts to keep you on the water.

Thanks to H2ONotes for the link!

The folks over a DestinSharks have written a quick review of a new toy that picked up recently. It’s one of those do everything rigs that you can sail, paddle or even tow around with a power boat for thrills. DestinSharks has a lot of good stuff, especially if you are interested in Google Earth as a navigation tool. Check ’em out!

We’d been looking for a small boat to carry on our Regal 2760 for use at anchor or at our favorite beach locations. The Regal is big enough for a modest dingy, but we’re not yet in the position to spend for the necessary outboard to go with it. I’d seen advertisements for the Aquaglide products, but hadn’t had a chance to evaluate one up close until our trip to the Miami boat show last month. At the show, we got to see the Aquaglide Multisport, which is a combination towable, windsurfer, sailboat, and kayak built on an inflatable hull for easy portability. We decided this fit the bill as a carry along ‘toy’ for our cruising adventures and would give us a nice platform to teach the kids some basic sailing techniques.

Source: DestinSharks.com » Aquaglide Multisport

Wow! No longer made of pure German unobtainium, the little, foldable Torqeedo 801 electric outboards are now available from West Marine for $1,600. Check the website.

In my earlier article on maritime “trainspotting” using AIS, I suggested that for the first time, large numbers of pleasure boaters will consider adding AIS to their onboard navigation systems, both for the navigational value as well as the “cool” factor.

As I thought more about this, it became clear to me that the AIS infrastructure could become a powerful medium for important navigational data well beyond the vessel information for which it was originally designed. (more…)

There comes a time when the electronics are all installed, and the maintenance is complete, and you can get down to the business of kicking back with friends and settling the really important questions, like “what’s the best margarita recipe?”

I have an old stand-by I learned from friends in Baja, which has been enjoyed and praised by many. As my friend Wayne likes to say, if you can count to 1 you can handle this recipe.

1 cup fresh lime juice
1 cup sugar
1 cup tequila
1 cup water
1 splash Cointreau (or Triple Sec)

Blend and serve on the rocks (“rocas” in Mexico) or grown-up slushy style (“revuelto”).

However, after reading the following, I think a taste-off is in order! Anyone else care to contribute a favorite margarita recipe?

In our relentless search for the truth, we’ve spent countless hours sampling different recipes, tasting astounding concoctions so that we can, selflessly, pass this information on to friends and family who may lack the stamina for such scientific research. After exhaustive testing, we’ve found the World’s Finest Margarita, courtesy of Donna from S/V Endless.
1 Part Fresh Squeezed Lime Juice
1 Part Controy Liqueur (Mexico’s version of Cointreau)
2 Parts Tequila
That’s it. Serve over Ice, salted rims optional. Use caution when operating anything more complex than a spoon after consumption.

Source: Hooligans Abroad

Ever gotten the willies looking at a medical textbook with graphic pictures of diseases? Well, here’s the equivalent for your boat. Actually, there’s some great information here, and a good reminder of the vital importance of maintaining the fittings which keep your vessel afloat.

A few things to remember:

1. A failed underwater fitting or hose will easily overwhelm bilge pumps and sink your boat
2. Use real seacocks—never gate valves below-the-waterline
3. Close seacocks when you are not aboard
   • Regularly used, they are far less likely to jam
   • You’ll be able remember where they are!
   • Fewer ways your boat can sink when you’re not there
4. Make sure required wood plugs are handy—they are a proven way to stop a flood when a fitting or hose fails
5. Use only high quality 316 stainless or titanium hose clamps
6. Double clamp below-the-waterline hoses

The article is well worth a read, and a good review of good bilge maintenance practices. Thanks to Ferroever for finding the site.

With WiFi available in marinas all over the world, it’s never been easier to get online from your boat. Picking up an internet connection at a favorite marina or anchorage is one of those things that really tickles me. Thanks to the Wireless Wiki—an excellent guide to everything wireless—I’ve learned of a new type of fixed antenna system since I last wrote about the subject.

As you may know, getting a good WiFi antenna up at a reasonable height can really help with getting some good range. The big issue, however, is that there are serious signal losses with long runs of antenna cable. By using a device that bridges Wifi and Ethernet, the WiFi radio and antenna can be together and up out of the boat where signals are best, and a light and flexible ethernet cable brings the network connection to your nav station. Have a look at Wireless Wiki for lots more useful details.

Trainspotting, Maritime-Style!

If you’ve spent any time around major commercial ports or vessel traffic lanes, you’ve probably wondered about all that traffic. What’s in those enormous ships? Where are they coming from? Where are they headed? How fast are they going? Of course, if you’re navigating in these waters, especially at night or in fog, obtaining accurate information about commercial traffic may satisfy a need somewhat more compelling than mere idle curiosity! But idle curiosity is actually what I want to talk about today. (more…)

I’m more than delighted to be joined here at Navagear by my friend and colleague, Tim Flanagan. I’ve known Tim for nearly 15 years, during which we’ve both been associated with several boats. A memorable early adventure was a summer day we spent circumnavigating Mercer Island (Seattle area) on Tim’s Laser. I credit Tim with rekindling my love of sailing all those years ago, and setting me on the path to creating Navagear.

Tim has had an interestingly varied career, from talk radio producer, to 911 operator, to writer/editor, to database content system expert. His sailing résumé ranges from Laser, to J-24 racing, to passage-making on a Hallberg-Rassy, but with a couple young kids, and living in the Puget Sound area, he’s about to embark on a motorboat ownership adventure with a C-Dory 22. Consequently, we will be broadening the focus of Navagear to include items of interest to power as well as sail cruisers. Tim also maintains a blog of his own, Content-Complete focusing on the ins-and-outs database-driven content management.

So, welcome Tim! And check out his first posting: AIS for the Masses.