The clever little AM/FM LINgo Weather Alert radio automatically scans the seven NOAA weather radio channels and broadcasts local weather information and alerts, even when it’s switched off. It will store all NOAA broadcasts too, as well as displaying warnings on its LCD screen. As if that’s not enough, the maker has built in some gadgets for you to fiddle with in between forecasts—there’s a detachable compass and flashlight. $99. LINgo, www.lingotravel.com
LED Nav Lights
Hella Marine’s NaviLED PRO navigation lights look tailor-made not only for trailersailers and smaller cruisers with limited battery capacity, but for offshore and bluewater boats that need to conserve energy. They come in 2- and 3-mile versions that meet all international requirements for navigation lights. They consume only one-tenth the power of their filament-bulbed equivalents and, like all LEDs, have many times the lifespan. They’ll accept between 9 and 33 volts DC, and unlike regular bulbs they won’t dim even when battery voltage is way down. The port, starboard, and stern lights are waterproof and have tough acrylic casings. MSRP is $224 (2nm), $249 (3nm). Hella Marine; 770-631-7500; www.hellamarine.com
Shackle Dog
The Shackle Dog—so called because its inventor thought it resembled the family pooch—is a simple piece of anodized aluminum. You can’t open bottles with it or use it as a screwdriver. You can only open or close shackles. But it does that simple job very well, and, at $4.95, there’s no reason to be without one. Shackle Dog; 203-312-0071; www.shackledog.com
Tape tales
The most versatile tape I’ve ever used is Rubbaweld, now available in the U.S. It’s not sticky, but bonds to itself to form a tough waterproof skin. I’ve used it to tape off turnbuckles and lifeline terminals, for get-me-home repairs on plumbing hoses and connections, and on rope ends when there wasn’t time to whip them. It comes in black and white, and in 1-inch ($18.50 for a 15-foot roll) or 4-inch ($36.50) widths. Johnson Marine; 800-874-7455; www.csjohnson.com
VHF venture
Navigation specialist Northstar has entered the radio market with this full-function, DSC-compliant VHF. The NS100 is a black-box unit with a remote speaker and handset. There are single ($599) or dual-station ($929) models, each with a full repertoire of U.S. and Canadian channels and an alphanumeric handset with a large display screen. Northstar; 800-628 4487; www.northstarnav.com
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